“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” -Thomas Jefferson

Q: What is your organizational structure? What is your purpose?

A: A Child’s Right is a 100% all volunteer affiliate of Dads and Moms of Michigan. We are an affiliate project of Dads and Moms of Michigan and thus governed by their 501(3)(c) Board. A Child’s Right has filed for Non-profit Corporation status and has Articles of Incorporation being drafted and submitted by Legal Zoom. We chose Legal Zoom because of their reputation and co-founder Robert L. Shapiro. We are directly affiliated with the non-profit 501(c)(3) ACFC affiliate Dads and Moms of Michigan. www.dadsofmichigan.org Dads and Moms of Michigan is directly affiliated with the non-profit 501(c)(3) American Coalition of Fathers and Children (ACFC). www.acfc.us. View one of our educational seminars here: Educational Seminar Powerpoint presentation. We also provide EDUCATION - DADS and MOMS University.

Angela Keene-Kennedy(now Pedersen), R.N. and Robert Pedersen were the co-founders of this children and parental rights organization. Robert Pedersen originated the idea, roughly two years ago, of an organization that would work with Michigan communities and other children and parental rights organizations. His hopes were to help families and children of divorce. The dangers of sole-custody parenting arrangements on children, when both parents are fit, are simply astonishing. An excellent summary can be found here: http://www.gocrc.com/research/dangers-of-sole-custody.html. The benefits of joint physical custody arrangements, even in high conflict situations, for children can no longer be ignored An excellent summary can be found here: http://www.gocrc.com/research/index.html Our planned organizational structure follows:

Angela Pedersen, R.N.: Co-founder, President and Treasurer: Director of Step-Mother activities. Registered Nurse in pursuit of her Master’s of Science in Nursing.

Robert Pedersen: Co-founder and Vice President. Spokesperson. 

Darrick Scott-Farnsworth: Executive Director and Secretary of Board. Director of PAC. (Political Action Commitee.)

Phillip Wurm: West Michigan Regional Advocate. House Districts: 57-65, 67-80, 87-93

Elaine Pedersen: Trustee. Proud grandmother of 4 and mother of 4. Retired Teacher of 1st grade, Kindergarden and Pre-School. 25 + years experience. Co-Director of Educational activities.

Paul Pedersen: Trustee. Proud grandfather of 4 and father of 4. Retired Teacher of Middle and High School. 30 + years experience. Co-Director of Educational activities.

Jim Semerad: Trustee. Chairman of Dads and Moms of Michigan. Commander in   U.S. Navy.

Nicole Perry: Director of Mother/Non-custodial Mother activities. Experienced Shared Parenting Advocate.

Donald Gitberg: Trustee. Director of Grandparent activities.

Mike Pedersen: Trustee. General Advisor. Detective of Crime Scene Investigation.

Tricia and Marc Pedersen: Trustees. General Advisors. High School Teachers.

Eric Pedersen: General Advisor. Optometrist (Eye Doctor)

Nick and Amy Kiszka: General Advisors. School Teachers.

Kalpesh Gandhi: General Advisor. Kellogg Nutrition.

Richard Scott: General Advisor. Kellogg Community College. Chief Financial Officer.

We have numerous volunteers including grandparents, step-mothers, mothers and fathers. We are a 100% volunteer organization that advocates for children and parental rights. Members of our organization are homemakers, teachers, judges, attorneys, military personnel, sales people, psychiatrists, politicians, nurses and medical doctors. 

We provide information on responsible parenting and fatherhood. We provide information on “Stop Abuse for Everyone” a human rights organization that recognizes that domestic abuse is perpetrated by both genders, they provide services for victims of BOTH genders and accountability for perpetrators of BOTH genders. In order to end domestic violence, society as a whole must recognize that BOTH genders can be victims and BOTH genders can be perpetrators. www.safe4all.org

We also provide educational opportunities regarding children and parental rights. We also have current plans to work with the Children’s Rights Council www.gocrc.com to open more Children Access Transfer Centers in the State of Michigan.

Q: How do I volunteer?

A: Please contact the following email adress: volunteer [at] achildsright [dot] net

Q: We have heard that your organization will soon be filming a large documentary in Michigan regarding parental and children rights in Michigan’s family court systems. Is this true and how do I find out more information on this?

A: Yes, although it is being debated and discussed currently. Nothing has been filmed and we do not have the funding for this. We are sure that will change in the future. If you believe you have a story that should be included in this, please email documentary [at] achildsright [dot] net

Q: You reference that your organization will be a political force in upcoming elections. How many members do you have? Are any members currently elected officials or running for an upcoming election?

A: Our main focus is to provide education to help both parents stay actively involved in their children’s lives. Our other efforts revolve around Children Access Transfer Centers and providing information on “Stop Abuse for Everyone” a human rights organization.  Like many organizations we do not publicly provide membership numbers in most cases. How about a range? Above 10,000 and below 60,000. :) Current members do hold elected offices, i.e. Calhoun County Commissioner and U.S. Congressman. Numerous members are running for office. We do not endorse specific political parties and members decide as individuals, thus with no influence from us, on whether they run and for what position and party. Both of our co-founders are elected County Precinct Delegates!

Q: Are you a father’s rights organization?

A: No.  Although certain hate groups may want to label us as such because of the perceived negative image. It is not rocket science to determine where we stand in the spectrum of organizations. Our name specifically states “A Child’s Right” not “A Father’s Right”. We do support parental rights and children rights regarding a parent and child relationship. Michigan child custody orders must bear sufficient respect for the constitutional protections inherent in the parent-child relationship. The best way to protect children from the stresses of parental divorce is to ensure a strong relationship with both parents (when both are fit) through a balanced, equal amount of time with both. This arrangement most closely mirrors an intact family, which both common sense and careful research shows is the best situation for children.

Search high and low on our website and paperwork and our purpose is clear and stated in the first Q&A on this FAQ page. Our focus is children and parental rights...for those that would like to dissect the word “parental rights” keep in mind that there are over 3.5 million non-custodial mothers in the United States that would like to spend more time with their children. With most men becoming the non-custodial parent after a divorce we also have a large number of step-mothers that are members of our organization. They see the other side of things such as bias in court rooms, the unwillingness to ever give the father joint physical custody because of the addiction to the extra income, and they witness the pain of the step-children and father from being apart. 

Same holds true with grandparents! Grandparents also are severely hurt by a custody dispute especially if the “ex” is vindictive and uses the children as a means to hurt the other family. Sadly, the grandparents are then forced to see less of their grandchildren. Thus the saying there are 3 sides to a story. See the website links for “3 sides to a story”. Ultimately it is the children that are harmed no matter how much the other party would like to justify their actions. 

We also work with “Stop Abuse for All”, Children’s Rights Council, Second Wives Club, Stepfamily Association of America, National Coalition of Non-Custodial Moms, Eagle Forum, Family Rights Coalition, and Dads and Moms of Michigan.  Most consider us a children’s rights group. That is why over 103,000 plus visitors have found their way to this website since its launch in March 2006.

Q: I found this organization from a banner ad and then saw you again in the Yellow Pages....you seem to be everywhere. What are other ways people can find you in Michigan?

A: Happy that you found us this way and also in becoming a member.  We also are in the online yellow pages for EVERY city in Michigan. We have ads on Google, Yahoo, Findology, AOL, and more! We have hundreds of other websites that link directly to us. Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Glenn Sacks and Richar Farr have been very helpful as well. In additon to the above, we also have advertisements on numerous Michigan specific Blogs which has been VERY powerful for our organization. We welcome you to visit some of these blogs:

#1 Michigan State Blog: http://enlightenedspartan.com

Michigan Politics: http://www.capitalviewpoint.com/

Michigan Politics: http://www.pohlitics.com/

Michigan Info: http://www.michiblogger.net/

Michigan Blog: http://www.murdoconline.net/

Lansing State Journal Online, Michigan Topix and many more!

Q: What organizations work with you or support you? People?

A: Too many to list but here are a few and if you were not included please do not be offended this is a random list and not a complete one:

1. Children’s Rights Council

2. Dads and Moms of Michigan

3. Second Wives Club

4. National Coalition of Non-Custodial Moms, Inc.

5. Stepfamily Association of America

6. Eagle Forum

7. Family Rights Coalition of Michigan

8. Stop Abuse for Everyone

9. RADAR

10. National Coalition of Free Men

11. Grandparents for Children’s Rights

12. Parental Alienation Awareness

13. Various: Michigan county commissioners, Michigan State Representatives, Michigan State Senators, Judges, attorneys, social workers, U.S. Representatives, U.S. Senators, county delegates, township trustees, Mason members, FOP members, law enforcement personnel, military personnel, Dr. Mark Klein for President 2008, Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show host Glenn Sacks, Syndicated Radio Talk Show host Richar Farr, James Dunn of Comeback Dads, Phyllis Schafly of Eagle Forum, Jim Semerad of Dads and Moms of Michigan, David Levy of Children’s Rights Council, Feminist Terri Stoddard, the increasingly famous Lary Holland, and many many more. We are proud to have their cooperation and support.