"Three-year-olds don't even have bootstraps to pull on," says Garner, actor, advocate and mother who campaigns for early childhood education in the United States

WESTPORT, Conn. (April 13, 2009) — Promoting a fundamental principle that all children deserve an equal start in life, Jennifer Garner — actor, advocate and mother of two — is joining Save the Children's U.S. Programs as an Artist Ambassador, the organization announced today. The U.S. division of Save the Children operates early education, literacy, nutritional and disaster relief programs that give a vital boost to children in struggling families.

As an Artist Ambassador for Save the Children's U.S. Programs, Garner will focus on advocating for the expansion of the organization's early education program. This public-private partnership brings highly trained experts into homes, providing parents with childrearing and cognitive development tools for infants and toddlers. Today, 1 in 6 children in America live in poverty.

Garner met Glenda, and her daughter Marissa, at a book exchange program in Orange Cove, CA, 3/09. Credit: Cameron Schiller

Two weeks ago, Garner traveled to California's Central Valley area to see the effects of poverty firsthand. Alongside Mark Shriver, vice president and managing director for Save the Children's U.S. Programs, she visited with Ysenea and her 12-month-old son Xavier, who live in public housing in Farmersville. Garner read to Xavier, played learning games that will help with his development and finger painted with him. She also listened to Ysenea describe the challenges she faces as a struggling young mother.

Following a tour of the area, she attended a book exchange program at the Sheridan School in Orange Cove where children with limited access to books at home or at school receive tote bags of books to keep for two weeks at a time. Garner read Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? to 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds at the school. "Three-year-olds don't even have bootstraps to pull on. Our leaders in Washington and in the states must commit every resource to put all children on an equal path to success," said Garner, a native of West Virginia and the daughter of a schoolteacher. "Working with Save the Children, I hope to help young mothers like Ysenea give the same educational boost to her son that I try to give my own toddler and newborn."

Early next month, Garner will be the spokesperson for Save the Children's annual State of the World's Mothers report. "Jennifer is not only one of the most admired young actors in the world, but an incredibly passionate, devoted and articulate advocate for children," said Shriver. "She has a deep understanding of and personal experience with poverty in America and we know she will lend a powerful voice to our work."

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Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in
the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the
Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure
the well-being and protection of children in more than 110 countries.