CRY - Child Rights and You America Inc.

The core idea of CRY America is to make the change permanent,and this is quite unique than any of existing non-profit organization.The model followed by CRY America is unique in which it states that no organization can be successful without active involvement of local community in the program.Extremely proud to be volunteer of CRY America.

CRY is not about charity, it is about change, permanent change to ensure all children have a childhood; a basic right that all children are entitled to.

This vision of CRY is why I am a supporter and volunteer of the organization because I believe that a rights based approach is the only way to bring about sustainable change to the plight of millions of underprivileged children.

As a well known organization helping underprivileged children, CRY is a household name in India and it was the organization I chose to donate a part of my first salary to back when I was in India. Fast forward a few years, I got in touch with CRY America about volunteering opportunities in LA and that led to creation of the CRY Southern California Chapter.

As a volunteer and action center lead, I not only got to see CRY's impact up-close, but also how the organization functions. CRY America is mostly run by volunteer action centers across the US and it is such a wonderful experience when so many people motivated by their compassion for children come together as agents of change and dedicate their weekends and evenings to conduct awareness campaigns or fundraisers in support of the cause.

I have found CRY America to be an open and transparent organization that encourages open communication and sharing of ideas among volunteers and action center leaders through yahoogroups and has recently established a CRY Volunteer Network on the CRY America website which enables further interaction among volunteers.

Overall, as a volunteer since 2004, I can say that CRY America is a well run and professionally run organization that is making real impact in the lives of children and it is just a wonderful wonderful organization to volunteer with.

I have interned in their office in Delhi, India. They are doing a lot to raise their voice against female foeticide, child labour, corporal punishment, and to promote education of children. I also appreciiate that they have now adopted more of a right-based approach, rather than a relief-based one.