When I first started this journey in January...there were an estimated 70,000+ homeless children here in Florida...Recent reports have indicated that there are now nearly 84,000 homeless children in this state...not the nation...in ONE state.
One homeless child is too many...83,957...is a total outrage!
So what are WE as a community...as a state...and as a nation...going to do to change this?
One homeless child is too many...83,957...is a total outrage!
So what are WE as a community...as a state...and as a nation...going to do to change this?
We are failing our future generations before they have even had
a chance to experience life and the effects of poverty are going to be
detrimental to what many now refer to as “Generation Invisible.”
Children comprise the greatest numbers and percentages of
people currently living in poverty.
Alarmingly, more and more families are unable to afford
childcare; as a result, many 3 and 4 year olds aren’t going to preschool.Research indicates that children from low-income families
who start kindergarten without first attending a quality education program
enter school an estimated 18 months behind their peers.
Many never catch up and are more likely to end up out of
work or making less money than they would have otherwise. Even worse, some of
these children may eventually end up in prison.
Florida is currently ranked 3rd behind California
and New York for total number of homeless persons. We are also ranked 42nd
in the nation for our inability to provide adequate services to homeless
children…to me…that’s embarrassing, as well as heartbreaking.
As a nation...we appear to be "lacking" in every area necessary to our survival.
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