Every Child Matters on Long Island

03/04/2020

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone will unveil legislation Wednesday to reform the county's handling of child protection cases following the death of Thomas Valva, the boy who died after allegedly

12/19/2019

It’s time for another debate!

Seven presidential primary candidates are taking the stage on December 19th for the final debate of 2019. Join us for a tweet chat beforehand to discuss equity in children’s health and early education! The conversation begins at 7pm ET and the debate begins at 8pm ET. Join on Twitter using the hashtag .

12/01/2019

Don't miss out on the opportunity to attend this incredible conference. We will cover issues affecting families with children from birth to five including Child Care, Advocacy, Activism & Civic Engagement, Home Visiting, Preventative & Protective Factors, Social-Emotional Learning and many others!
www.NYSB5conference.com

10/26/2019

07/26/2019

Former ECM-NY Director Shanequa Levin has written a book about surviving childhood poverty!

On Sale Now: Amazon- www.bit.ly/azpovertysphoenix
Barnes & Noble- www.bit.ly/bnpovertysphoenix

Poverty’s Phoenix is the searing account of one child's struggle and how she summoned the courage to break the generational cycle of life in poverty. In this gripping memoir, author Shanequa Levin offers us an insider's look at the plight of a teen mother and how that child's child perceived the world.

Through young Shanequa's eyes, we see what it's like growing up with drug-addicted parents; we experience the trauma of having a father who was incarcerated for much of her life and a teen mother who is a product of her environment; and we feel Shanequa's pain as she learns that she is poor and what that means for her family. Levin gives a voice to children who were born into poverty and face its wrath on a daily basis.

Each chapter depicts a jarring experience that helped shaped this present-day community leader’s life. This memoir is a testament to a mother's love, survival, and what it’s like to be black and poor living on the Gold Coast of Long Island, New York, in the 1980s.

12/21/2018

I write this letter to you, not to say goodbye, but to say, I’m proud of the work we’ve done together. Every Child Matters came into my life when I didn’t even know I needed it. I had recently discovered how powerful my voice was when Chris Reimann introduced me to this platform. As a young child, my mother planted the seed in me that I am a change maker; with the support of my husband and Lynda Parmely of the former Hagedorn Foundation, I have been able to lead Every Child Matters in a way Long Island needed!

Through my tenure with Every Child Matters I made it my goal to focus on building the skills of community members so they can be an effective voice for children. Throughout the years, we met with law makers and advocated for important bills like “Raise the Age” and “Paid Family Leave”, which got passed. Through advocacy workshops, candidate forums, step up for kids day events, etc., I partnered with groups and organizations and together we reached and activated well over 10,000 Long Islanders.

Sitting on coalitions and often being the only representative for children’s issues or the only representative from the black community, I’ve been able to make sure our voice is heard and/or included.

One of the things I’m most proud of is, our candidate engagement activities. Candidates are often asked what they are doing for everyone but the kids. We’ve been able to change that. I spent time interviewing candidates and making sure the public knew where they stood on children’s issues. Electoral advocacy was the heart of my tenure.

Although my time with Every Child Matters has come to an end, I will still be here. I will be co-leading the Long Island Black Alliance, a space for Black leaders to support one another. I have also founded an organization called the Women’s Diversity Network (WDN). WDN connects and mobilizes women of different backgrounds to create positive changes through a more unified sisterhood. With over 30 women and organizations serving as ongoing partners, we have held many powerful events. Please check it out at: www.womensdiversitynetwork.org. Feel free to make a donation if you'd like. We have a big vision for WDN and I look forward to you be part of it. Thank you for your support throughout the years and continue to be a voice and a vote for children!

Shanequa Levin
Every Child Matters (2010-2018)
‘TIS THE SEASON
NO MATTER WHAT HOLIDAY YOU
CELEBRATE, WE’D LIKE TO WISH YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

12/20/2018

This is not a goodbye letter...

12/15/2018

First Meeting Held Today; Task Force Will Develop Recommendations to Make Quality, Affordable Child Care More Accessible.

11/07/2018

Congratulations to everyone who made it a priority to vote!!!

11/06/2018

Not sure if you’re registered to vote or where to go? Go to https://www.vote.org/