Champions for Children is a network of women using our voices to raise awareness and funding to make a positive impact on the children’s mental health crisis.
Children across our community are growing up in a world marked by rising stress, isolation, digital pressures, and increasing mental health challenges. These factors are often compounded by trauma, instability, poverty, or chronic adversity affecting emotional well-being, learning, and long-term outcomes.
Too many children never receive help because of stigma, cost, workforce shortages, long waitlists, or lack of awareness. Parents, educators, and healthcare leaders know the need is urgent—and that prevention and early support are far more effective than waiting for crisis.
Our Vision A world where every child has access to the resources they need to grow, learn and thrive.
“When you get smart women together, things get done! We have made a significant impact in our first year by helping young children who face adversity and trauma. I am excited about the future because as we grow and expand our reach, we can make an even bigger difference for more children and families.”
Paula Widerlite, President
50%
of all lifetime mental illness
begins by age 14
7.7 million
children experience a mental disorder each year
60%
of youth with major depression receive no treatment
The Problem
The national youth mental health crisis is experiencing increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide; often the suffering is unheard or undiagnosed, resulting in insufficient care and treatment.
Our communities in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area are no different. Whether caused by social media, performance pressure, the loss of social connection throughout the pandemic, or other trauma, the toll on the mental health of our future generations is real and must be healed.
The Solution.
This is why a committed network of women have come together to inspire, influence, and leverage our experience and relationships to move from awareness to action by raising funds to support organizations that deliver these services.
This group of determined and dedicated women created Champions for Children to respond to the increasing mental health needs that families and children are facing.
Follow our journey.
