Sandalow is executive director of the Children’s Law Center, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing a solid foundation for low-income children in Washington. Can you explain what the Children’s Law Center does?
CLC helps find a solid foundation of family, health and education to D.C. children living in poverty. We provide individual representation to children and their families. We also take what we learn from representing kids and offer policy solutions to the District government.
How did you initially get involved with the CLC?
My first career was a poverty lawyer in D.C., and I am also a foster parent. Both my professional and personal life came together to make this the perfect place to work. I’ve seen how hard it is to ensure children have safe families and an education, and how devastating it can be for a child who doesn’t have that luxury.
How do you think the current recession is affecting children in need?
Hugely. We know that there are 7,000 more children [in D.C.] living in poverty this year than last year. We also know that 43 percent of African-American children in the District live in poverty — that’s up from 36 percent in 2008. More children are being abused and neglected because their parents are stressed out. Many parents are out of work and are having to choose between paying the rent or buying food, leaving children malnourished.
What influence do you think CLC has on D.C.?
First, we help 1,200 children a year succeed, and our job is to help residents in this city flourish. We also help to strengthen the functioning of our government.
What’s next for CLC?
I’m looking forward to helping the next mayor and council chair to reverse trends of impoverished children. I want to ensure that poverty does not have to be a life sentence.
– Kristen Byrne
