Save the Children USA

Global operations

Save the Children operates internationally to respond to global emergencies and conflicts which affect children. The organization claims to be capable of assembling a team of skilled health professionals anywhere in the world within 72 hours of a crisis.

The charity works in over 200 of the poorest communities in rural America. Programs are focused on ensuring children are kindergarten-ready, reading by third grade, have safe places to go after school, and maintain reading and math skills over the summer. It also provides relief for natural disasters in the U.S.

Internationally, Save the Children has significant presence in Yemen, Syria, Bangladesh, and on both sides of the U.S. Southern border. It also provided international relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambassadors

Save the Children identifies its ambassadors as high-profile individuals that are widely-recognized as prominent members of their field and demonstrate a commitment to the organization's mission. Ambassadors promote the organization's work, raise funds, and advocate to create lasting change for children in need. As of July 2023, ambassadors for the organization include Camila Cabello, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Garner, Enrique Iglesias, and Olivia Wilde.

Research papers

As part of its advocacy role, Save the Children USA commissions research to support its mission. Amongst the reports are a 2016 paper on International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA), a method for direct assessment of child development. Stop the War reports, which discuss war crimes against children, were published in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The organization also published a report on how COVID-19 has affected children's lives.

Save the Children USA published an annual End of Childhood Report and an End of Childhood Index that evaluates countries against a common set of life-changing events which can signal the disruption of childhood.

Controversies

Sponsorship scandal

In March 1998, the Chicago Tribune reported that the organization had mishandled donation funds; The investigation revealed that two dozen donors were making contributions to sponsor dead children. In one instance, an American family with the surname "Dixon" had been sending $20/month to a child by the name of Abdoul Kone who died in a donkey cart accident nearly 3 years prior. The scandal resulted in the dismissal of a Mali-based employee. Three additional employees were reprimanded for allowing the deaths to go unreported.

Traces of lead in mugs

In October 1998, Save the Children USA recalled approximately 2,000 mugs when it was revealed that their lead content, while in compliance with Federal guidelines, exceeded the levels of a voluntary standard to be instituted in California the following year.

QAnon attempt to co-opt #SaveTheChildren

Main article: QAnon

In 2020 proponents of the unproven far-right conspiracy theory QAnon attempted to co-opt the hashtag #SaveTheChildren, leading to a temporary block of the hashtag on Facebook. On August 7, Save the Children issued a statement on the unauthorized use of its name in campaigns.

References

References

1. "Charity Navigator - Historical Ratings for Save the Children".
2. Hoffman, Marilyn. (May 29, 1980). "International agency helps fight poverty with handcrafts". Christian Science Monitor.
3. "Historical Ratings for Save the Children". Charity Navigator.
4. Kingdon, Frank. (1963). "Inside the Golden Door". Unpublished.
5. "What We Do".
6. "Why Save the Children?".
7. "Help Save Children in America".
8. "Emergency Response".
9. "Help Children in Syria".
10. "The Rohingya Crisis: Explained".
11. "What You Should Know about Kids in Crisis at the U.S. Border".
12. "Help Children Affected by Coronavirus".
13. "Ambassadors".
14. Mier, Tomás. (September 13, 2019). "Camila Cabello Vows to Raise $250,000 for Save the Children: 'A Voice Is a Powerful Instrument'".
15. Primeau, Jamie. (October 12, 2016). "Dakota Fanning Is Empowering Girls With Save The Children & You Can Do The Same".
16. Lee. (July 23, 2018). "Jennifer Garner teams up with Save the Children to fight rural poverty in America".
17. (October 24, 2019). "Enrique Iglesias Salutes Fans for Helping Contribute Over $350,000 to Save the Children".
18. Saval, Malina. (February 25, 2016). "Olivia Wilde Champions Kids With Work With Save the Children".
19. "IDELA: Fostering Common Solutions for Young Children".
20. (February 13, 2019). "Stop the War on Children: Protecting children in 21st century conflict".
21. (February 6, 2020). "Stop the War on Children 2020: Gender matters".
22. (February 13, 2020). "Stop the war on children 2020: Gender matters - World".
23. (November 20, 2020). "Stop the war on children - Killed and maimed: A generation of violations against children in conflict - World".
24. (September 8, 2020). "Protect a Generation: The impact of COVID-19 on children's lives".
25. McCarthy, Niall. "The U.S. States Where Childhood Is Most And Least Protected [Infographic]".
26. Anderson, Lisa. (March 18, 1998). "Save The Children Reacts To Probe, Plans Reforms". Chicago Tribune.
27. Dellios, Hugh. (March 15, 1998). "Greetings From Grave". Chicago Tribune.
28. Anderson, Lisa. (December 31, 1998). "The Road to Reform". Chicago Tribune.
29. (October 31, 1998). "Recalls Save the Children Mugs". The Miami Herald.
30. Dickson, E. J.. (August 12, 2020). "What Is #SaveTheChildren and Why Did Facebook Block It?".
31. (August 7, 2020). "Save the Children Statement on use of its Name in Unaffiliated Campaigns".