LOVE THE CHILDREN (LTC), INC 118 UPLAND CIRCLE TONEY, AL 35773 256-852-9694   THINK ! LOVE OF CHILDREN IS WIN WIN THE MISSION of Love The Children, Inc. (LTC) is, as the name suggests, to multiply love for children at risk, (especially children in Foster Care), children in undesirable family situations, children who do not feel loved, children who are not performing at their highest possible levels, all children.   LTC does not propose to do all things for all but to cooperate with and assist in making needed resources available to meet the needs of God's children.  These children include adults as well as minors, those who perceive themselves as being in unfortunate situations from which they cannot extricate themselves.  LTC will nudge every available entity to do its part to prevent and relieve needless human suffering. FOR RELATED INFORMATION VISIT:  www.cehodges.com FAILURE TO THRIVE SYNDROME by C.E. Hodges, Founder and Chair  Babies and pre-school children often suffer from what is termed by social workers and pediatricians as "failure to thrive". These children are underweight and developmentally delayed. They are weak and some cannot stand when they should be walking. They are malnourished in this country which has served as the breadbasket of the world and where more good food is thrown away by average families on a daily basis than is consumed by average families in some less developed countries. How can we justify under-fed children in America? We have some outstanding food programs such as Food Stamps and Women Infants and Children (WIC) which have made a tremendous difference but have not solved the problem. There are breakfast and lunch programs for at risk children and yet, thousands fail to thrive physically, mentally, educationally, and socially due to inadequate diets. The health and social problems which follow cost more than the needed programs of prevention. It is time for those with excesses to demonstrate more love for those children which are under-fed and under-loved. Professional associations, social clubs, and faith-based organizations can fill the gaps with health education, parental education, and food assistance for the suffering. Adults also fail to thrive. They may have enough to eat but some fail to thrive in our competitive society. They fail academically when they may have the ability. They fail socially when they may have talent and skills. And they fail economically when they may be employed. Our great society produces great successes but too many are left behind. Too many fall through the cracks of life. Psychiatric hospitals, hospice centers, prisons, group homes for children, foster care, juvenile detention centers, and half-way houses have countless thousands of examples to establish this fact. The blessed of this land must rise to the challenge and respond with love for God’s children. As you share your blessings, instead of being diminished, they will be multiplied. LOVE THE CHILDREN can help you love the children. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN? IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 90 CHILDREN ENTER FOSTER CARE EACH DAY 16 ARE MURDERED EACH DAY 13 COMMIT SUICIDE EACH DAY 630 ARE ROBBED EACH DAY 80 ARE RAPED EACH DAY 1,000 BECOME NEW UNWED MOTHERS EACH DAY 2200 DROP OUT OF SCHOOL EACH DAY 2500 WITNESS DIVORCE OR SEPARATION EACH DAY 300,000 BECOME EXPECTANT MOTHERS EACH DAY 300,000 ARE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED EACH DAY 350,000 ARE EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES EACH YEAR 1400 DIE EACH YEAR FROM CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT 75% OF THESE ARE 3 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER 38% ARE VICTIMS OF NEGLECT WITH MOTHERS MOST OFTEN RESPONSIBLE 30% ARE VICTIMS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE FROM FATHERS OR OTHER MALES 29% ARE VICTIMS OF MULTIPLE CAUSES 79% ARE LIVING WITH ONE OR BOTH PARENTS 16% ARE IN THE CARE OF A NON-PARENT We have problems of inadequate reporting, a lack of national standards for child autopsies, and too few medical examiners trained in child abuse signs and evidence. THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD DESERVE MORE LOVE THAN THEY ARE RECEIVING.  EVERYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOME CHILD'S LIFE. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING. PERSUADE YOUR CLUB OR CHURCH OR WORKPLACE OR COMMUNITY TO ACT. MENTOR PROGRAMS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SCOUTING, PATHFINDERING, ETC. SERVE YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN, CHILDREN OF YOUR CHURCH. ALL CHILDREN NEED YOUR LOVE REGARDLESS OF ECONOMIC STATUS, FAMILY STATUS, HEALTH STATUS, CULTURAL OR ETHNIC BACKGROUND. DO SOMETHING.  SAVING CHILDREN MAY SAVE YOU ANDYOURS. CONTACT LOVE THE CHILDREN FOR SPEAKERS AND IDEAS. E-MAIL CLARENCE E. HODGES WITH YOUR REQUESTS OR SUGGESTIONS.  Clarence E. Hodges Founder and Chairman LTC CAN ASSIST YOUR ORGANIZATION BY: 1.  IDENTIFYING SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR YOUR PROGRAMS  2.  REVIEWING AND GIVING ADVICE ON YOUR PROPOSAL 3.  ENDORSING AND SUPPORTING GOOD PROPOSALS 4.  PROVIDING OTHER PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AS MAY BE NEEDED LOVE GOD'S OTHER CHILDREN We are all God's children and must learn to love each other.  But He has some other children who need special love also.  Age does not matter with these children.  Jesus said, as you do for and to them you are serving Him.  (Matt, 25:34-40) LOVE THE CHILDREN (LTC) has a special interest in His (adult) children who are  in  NURSING HOMES; His (adult) children who are in PRISONS; and those persons, regardless of age, who are homeless.  We encourage family members and others to be supportive and we encourage governmental leaders to provide the kinds of services that will make a positive difference for children,  individuals,  families, and mankind.  LTC will assist and cooperate with other private and public social service agencies, and cooperate with faith-based organizations, foundations, philanthropists, and federal, state, and local agencies in identifying solutions and resources for social problems.  We will cooperate with the executive and legislative branches of government in the interest of relieving human suffering, building character, enhancing self-esteem, and making America a better and safer environment for those who are at risk and or in need of special supportive services.. ABOUT THE FOUNDER Clarence Hodges is Former United States Commissioner for the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) Hodges was twice appointed by the president of the United States to senior executive positions and was confirmed by the United States Senate without opposition. He has served in domestic and international positions, traveling the nation and the world on behalf of the president, seeking and producing solutions to problems which affected individuals and nations. He has served as a senior U.S. Senate staffer and with two mayors, evaluating and solving problems, helping individuals and organizations to make a difference for life. He has served as a volunteer in many human service, human rights, community based, and faith-based organizations, providing leadership which made a difference. He has authored 12 books, has lectured in nearly every state of the nation and every region of the world.  He has received numerous awards and honors in the U.S. and internationally. He has been married to Yvonne for over forty years and they have four adult children who are giving back to their communities.       This is what United States Senator Richard G. Lugar said about Clarence Hodges. I welcomed Clarence Hodges to Indianapolis on September 4, 1973, as a National Urban Fellow. I was then Mayor of Indianapolis. Clarence was a rising star in urban public service who had been recognized by national urban organizations as a man ready for major responsibilities. His first opportunity in Indianapolis was to meet employee unrest in our sanitation division and to formulate an action plan for the Director of Public Works. His success in this mission led to my reorganization of several elements of city government to form a Department of Human resources including the Human Rights Commission, the Community Services Programs (health, social services, community development, and economic development), the Women's Commission, the Youth Commission, and Employment and Training. And I named Clarence to direct this new department. He did so with superb management skills and he represented me in ceremonial occasions with dignity and good humor. His deep resonant voice held listener attention. His public service branched into the greater Indianapolis community as he became active in NAACP, Big Brothers, Parents with Children in Trouble, Economic Forum, the United Way, Urban League, Indianapolis Foundation, Indianapolis Public School Advisory Committee, and the Presidency of the Board of Community Action Against Poverty. In due course, I was elected to the United States Senate in November of 1976. Clarence was active in that campaign and I asked him to take on new responsibilities covering the entire State of Indiana. He continued to represent me with corporations, unions, local government, and state agencies. He was my liaison with all federal agencies impacting on local situations in Indiana. He grew in handling of a larger agenda and it was not surprising that with the coming of Ronald Reagan's Administration in 1981, Clarence would be a prime candidate for a Presidential nomination. It was with great pride that I introduced my friend to a Senate confirmation hearing and attended his swearing in at the end of 1981 to be U.S. Commissioner for the Administration of Children, Youth, and Families, to head this $8 billion dollar agency. As my own activities included a growing interest in foreign policy, I was especially pleased when Clarence joined the State Department in June of 1983 to handle new challenges of diplomatic recruitment and training, personnel management, and equal opportunity. After beginning with mediation at the sanitary department of Indianapolis in 1973, Clarence now flew to diplomatic posts all over the world representing Presidents Reagan and Bush and receiving compliments from Secretaries Schulz and Baker. He has achieved all of this with the support of his wife, Yvonne, and four very talented children. He has established a network of friends and associates who have been helpful in sustaining his opportunities for service and achievement. But essentially, he exemplifies a healthy personal ambition to reach for more and more difficult challenges and to produce solid results without requesting special dispensation or offering a stream of excuses. He is a serious man whose words and deeds deserve careful study. He speaks to many conditions in our nation and our world with a life that has combined the best aspects of preacher, social worker, and politician. He is a good man to have on your side and by your side. Richard G. Lugar U.S. Senator Indiana (Introduction to the book, As You Think, You Can by C.E. Hodges, Character Press, 1999) REGARDING C.E. HODGES, VISIT:  www.cehodges.com