"KLAASKIDS" HOME PAGE CRAWLS ONTO THE WEB

The Foundation announced the development of "Klaaskids," a new home page for the Klaas Foundation for Children, in early February. Designed to become the nation's definitive Internet resource on children's protection issues, the web site will also feature commentary on the Polly Klaas - murder trial as soon as jury selection is complete.

Klaaskids contains a welcome message from Klaas and information about the Foundation, as well as a section called "Alert" with the latest news on the "Kids Off Lists" campaign to remove names of children from commercial databases (click here for some startling details).

"In order to create a safer society for America's children, we need to have a national dialogue on these issues," Klaas said. "We will be using this Internet site to campaign for more effective ways to monitor and punish predators who target children. We are creating a network that links parents and organizations to share information on ways to protect our kids."

To be found on the Web as http://www.klaaskids.org, the site is still under construction. Several new elements, such as "Speak Out", "Legislative Update," a national directory of resources on children's issues and a poster contest for kids will go on-line during the spring.

GOMES IS CONTRA COSTA VOLUNTEER OF THE THE YEAR

Janice Gomes, coordinator of the Foundation's National Community Empowerment Program, has won the 1995 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Office of the Sheriff in Contra Costa County, California. She was also recognized for having donated the most hours ever to that community, and for having worked over 900 hours on youth-related programs. The awards were given at a ceremony held in MartineZ, California, in December.

"It's a tremendous honor to have received these awards," Gomes said. "I was so surprised, since I don't think about what I do in terms of recognition. I was shocked to learn that I was recommended by Lt. Hunt of the Sheriff's Office."

Gomes' work includes setting up 60 Neighborhood Watch programs in the town of Oakley, and coordinating a total of approximately 95 groups for the Klaas Foundation for Children.

"My role is to educate citizens on becoming proactive to crime in neighborhood situations," she said. "Police are by definition usually reactive. We teach everyday people to work together to prevent crime, rather than just relying on law enforcement to respond to it.

"We live in a day and age where people are getting discouraged," Gomes added. "Often, citizens want to know what police are going to do about crime. But they need to realize that it's got to start at home. A lot of children don't feel that they have a future. We try to get out and educate people to take away that fear factor for their kids."

MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR CHILDREN

The Klaas Foundation for Children is working with sister nonprofit Stand for Children to implement a march on Washington, DC's Lincoln Memorial on June 1, 1996.

This historic gathering is a call to action for America's children, with a focus on the steps that every American can take to ensure that no child is left behind. Organizers plan to bring the same high profile to vital social issues as did the "Million Man March" last year.

For more information please call 1/800-233-1200 or 202/234-0095, and look out for more in the spring issue of Klaas Action Review.