There are many debates about the responsibility that we as a society have to the various charities and social assistance programs that exist. However, one thing that most people agree on is that children in poverty deserve help to survive and hopefully flourish in the classroom, at home, and beyond. Why is it so important to contribute to these programs – and for these programs to exist in general? What is the impact of childhood poverty programs in the United States and elsewhere in the world? Here are a few facts you might not have known, as well as how you can be a part of the solution for these children.
Growing Healthier Populations
Children are the future of our society. Unfortunately, too many American children struggle with the challenges of poverty. Funding for children’s activities and benefit programs doesn’t just help these children, though – it helps all children.
When kids whose families can’t afford proper medical attention and nutrition are given the support they need to obtain these necessities, their children are less sickly and less likely to make other children sick. They miss less school, cause fewer disruptions in the classroom, and are involved in fewer altercations with peers. Keeping these children fed and cared for keeps all the kids around them safe and well, too.
Lowering Poverty Rates, Generation by Generation
Poverty tends to be generational. If a child’s parents are low-income, the child may go on to suffer from the effects of poverty for their entire adult life. However, funding for children in foster care, in poverty situations, and other difficult scenarios can help to break this cycle of poverty and propel children into a better life for their future and their family’s future.
Letting Kids Be Kids
It’s a sad fact that kids who are in foster care or who are living in poverty are often robbed of their chance to enjoy normal childhood activities. Organizations like the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation provide funding for children in foster care who may not otherwise have access to community programs, after school activities, groups, and clubs that provide recreation and learning opportunities. From music education to swimming lessons to driving instruction for teenagers and more, these programs benefit not just the children who participate in them, but the entire community as these children are lifted out of poverty. Consider donating to your local chapter of foster care funding programs and be part of the positive difference in these children’s lives!