"6,000 students in the Clark County School District will be classified as homeless," "One in every 45 children" experiences homelessness

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Why does this not shock the consciences of everyone in our communities?  Are we not outraged that, as the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH) points out, that "One in 45 children experience homelessness in America each year.  That's over 1.6 million children."

And the news doesn't get any better, either. The NCHF tells us that:

 While homeless, they experience high rates of acute and chronic health problems.  The constant barrage of stressful and traumatic experience also has profound effects on their development and ability to learn. 

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Health

Children experiencing homelessness:

• Are sick four times more often than other children.^[1]  They have:
  
  • Four times as many respiratory infections.
  • Twice as many ear infections.
  • Five times more gastrointestinal problems.
  • Four times more likely to have asthma.
• Go hungry at twice the rate of other children.¹
• Have high rates of obesity due to nutritional deficiencies.²
• Have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to non-homeless children.³

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Experiences of Violence

Violence plays a major role in the lives of homeless children.⁴

• By age 12, 83% had been exposed to at least one serious violent event.
• Almost 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families.

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Developmental Milestones and Academic Performance

Children experiencing homelessness are:

• Four times more likely to show delayed development.
• Twice as likely to have learning disabilities as non-homeless children.

Our lack of interest and concern outside of a small circle of champions who keep this issue alive and in the forefront of social issues as much as possible - think Dr. Ellen Bassuk (Dr. Bassuk is also the President and Founder of the NCHF), Pat LaMarche, and Diane Nilan - is beyond inexcusable, and I think there is something about the word "homeless" in front of "children" that instantly changes how people view the issue. Even though we're not talking here about society's stereotypical -and grossly inaccurate - image of the average homeless person, the word homeless has such negative mental imagery associated with it that I wonder if folks immediately tune out after hearing it.

I think more frustrating than the ignorance and apathy of our fellow citizens is the lack of action by those who are supposed to be "representing" us, and both political parties are guilty of this gross insouciance.  It doesn't take a genius to understand why; poor folk and homeless children aren't typically big spenders on politicians, since they're usually too busy trying to figure out how to buy enough food to eat for the day rather than wondering which talking head they should give their hard to come by pennies to.

We think nothing at all of giving away " $51.6 billion" to other countries to help them, and justifying it by arguing that it "supports our allies and partners, prevents conflict, promotes democracy, and reflects our core values."  By the way, this astronomical number makes up "just 1 percent of the U.S. Government’s overall budget."

Those of us charged with ending homelessness in our country can only dream of having access to the resources and direct services $51.6 billion dollars would provide us.   For all the rhetoric spouted on both sides of the political aisle we hear about "protecting our children" and ensuring America's future, my request is a simple one to our politicians; put your money where your mouths are.

If you'd like to help, please consider donating $20 dollars to the Campaign to End Child Homelessness, follow Diane Nilan and Pat LaMarche on Twitter and Facebook, and the next time you hear the words "homeless children" please, for just a a minute, pay a little closer attention. The future of our country really does depend on it. 

8 News NOW

Outreach Program Prepares Homeless Kids for School

Posted: Aug 21, 2012 5:32 PM CDT Updated: Aug 21, 2012 6:10 PM CDT
By Patranya Bhoolsuwan, Reporter - bio | emailBy Rudy Villarreal, Photojournalist - emailLAS VEGAS -- When school starts on Monday, more than 6,000 students in the Clark County School District will be classified as homeless. That number is double what it was five years ago.
The kids live in shelters, motels, and sometimes cars. The outreach program, TITLE 1 Hope, is once again giving out backpacks to homeless kids who range in age from 5 to 18-years-old.
The backpacks are filled with everything from school supplies to toiletries. In fact, the group has already handed out some 2,000 backpacks and class doesn't even start until next week.
Organizers say papers, pencils, and books can go a long way to help at risk students succeed.
"If they aren't eating, they are not sleeping, they don't have proper educational tools, there's no way they are going to graduate," said Sue Goldman, TITLE 1 Hope.
Aside from school supplies and toiletries, homeless kids can also get clothes, bus passes and gift cards through the program.