First Lady Mary Perdue Announces "Kids First" Initiative

ATLANTA— Today, First Lady Mary Perdue announced "Kids First," a new initiative of the Our Children Campaign. The First Lady will canvas Georgia hosting monthly "Kids First" activities to highlight an area of volunteerism with abused and neglected children. 

As her initial "Kids First" event, this morning, First Lady Mary Perdue accompanied a First Steps volunteer on her visit with a new mother and baby at Grady Memorial Hospital. First Steps is a program of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia that pairs mentors with new mothers.  

Through a network of volunteers, First Steps aims to curb the potential for child abuse by providing support to expectant parents and new parents.  Services of First Steps include parenting education, emotional support and community services referrals within the hospital or clinic setting.

"If our community truly wants to nurture and build positive futures for children, we must equip and support parents," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "I have seen today the vast benefits of this program and hope that other Georgians will join me throughout the year as we continue to make a difference."

For the past four years, First Lady Mary Perdue has hosted a series of statewide events and summits in order to raise awareness of the needs of abused and neglected children in Georgia. Last year, as part of her annual Summit, First Lady Mary Perdue traveled to 15 cities across the state, hosting volunteer activities in order to increase awareness and participation within communities across the state. The Summit involved nearly 4,000 Georgians in hands-on volunteer activities, recruited new foster families and encouraged new business, faith and civic community involvement with child-serving agencies in their areas. 

"Our dedication to Georgia’s children should not end with the month of the Summit," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "Volunteerism can, and must, continue to be a lasting part of our daily life."

Future "Kids First" events will include a baby shower for foster children, a foster family appreciation night and a book drive for children in foster care.