FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2002
CONTACT: corprel@freddiemac.com
or phone (703) 903-4384

APRIL 1: FOUNDATION AND W*USA9 KICK OFF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH WITH A PARENTING CAMPAIGN
Stronger Families…Stronger Communities Gives Tips through 1-877-419-KIDS

MCLEAN, VA – Kicking off Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Freddie Mac Foundation and W*USA9 have teamed up for the second year to provide parents with concrete, constructive parenting tips and access to parenting resources. The Stronger Families…Stronger Communities campaign is a response to the growing number of abuse and neglect cases nationally.

Three children die a day in the nation due to abuse and neglect, a 35 percent increase since 1990. For many Washingtonians, the names “Brianna” and “Katelyn” have become synonymous with the issue. The conditions facing many young children in our region contribute. In Washington, DC alone, one out of six people live in poverty. Fifty-eight percent of children live in single-parent households.

The extra difficulties these families face can make parenting seem overwhelming, but indeed it is a challenge for all parents, regardless of their situation.

“For more than a decade, the Freddie Mac Foundation has made reducing child abuse and neglect a priority. Key to prevention is helping all parents be the best parents they can be and that’s what our partnership with W*USA9 is helping us do. Together, we can reach more families with parenting information and resources to help make them confident, successful parents,” explained Maxine B. Baker, President and CEO, Freddie Mac Foundation.

“Stories of abuse and neglect are abundant in our region. Our coverage has revealed time and again how devastating it can be to children, families and our community. Now, we’re stepping forward to provide valuable information to parents to help prevent abuse. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Freddie Mac Foundation to help all of us participate in making a child’s life brighter,” said Ardyth Diercks, President and General Manager, W*USA9.

The five-week campaign, starting April 1 and running through the beginning of May, features several different public service announcements that encourage viewers to call 1-877-419KIDS for more parenting information and a guide to local resources. The public service announcements feature 9 Eyewitness News anchors Gordon Peterson and J.C. Hayward. W*USA9’s web site will also contain parenting information and resources. In addition, 9 Eyewitness News will run stories throughout the campaign featuring local programs and solutions that have been effective at preventing child abuse and neglect. The station will also host a forum for local non-profits to tell their story to 9 Eyewitness News and Community Relations staff in an effort to increase dialogue and coverage.

Over the years, W*USA9 has been a long-time leader in the community. Its Community Campaigns include running school supplies, food and toy drives as well as car seat safety and breast cancer awareness campaigns. In addition, the station helps raise needed funds for Children’s Hospital by hosting the annual Children's Miracle Network telethon.

As one of the largest funders in the region, the Freddie Mac Foundation plans to grant nearly $20 million this year to organizations working to prevent child abuse and neglect, find permanent homes for foster children, and develop youth. Supporting parenting education is part of the Foundation’s prevention strategy. Locally, the Foundation has made major investments in parenting-related programs such as Healthy Families America—an outstanding prevention program proven to help eliminate child abuse by helping first-time parents, and the citywide Freddie Mac Foundation Parenting Education Program in partnership with Catholic Charities and the District of Columbia government.

Created by Freddie Mac in 1991, the Freddie Mac Foundation is dedicated to opening the doors to hope and opportunity to children and their families. As one of the largest corporate funders in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Freddie Mac and the Freddie Mac Foundation have invested more than $100 million in nonprofit organizations serving children and families.