Dear Friends & Neighbors:
Being a kid these days is hard enough, but imagine being a kid living in poverty or homeless. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently ran a story on homeless students in the Metropolitan area. This is not a new a problem but rather a growing problem. More jobs are being lost, more homes foreclosed and more parents looking for ways to provide for their family. Children are the most important asset we have in our society. They are future leaders and provide the greatest joy in life, but not enough is being done to ensure homeless children are not falling through the cracks. We watched CEO after CEO go to Washington with tin cup in hand, begging for money. They took your money and ran away like thieves in the night. The 1.5 million homeless children can't fly private jets to Washington. Their voices should not go unheard. The sad truth is children bear the brunt of poverty. It takes an emotional and physical toll on children.
In the 1960s, President Johnson declared war on poverty and the fight continues during this economic crisis. According to the Children's Defense Fund, between 2006 and 2007 the number of poor children grew by 500,000 to the current total of 13.3 million." That number will certainly grow until we climb out of the valley of this recession. Homeless children are most at risk. These children are twice as likely to get sick than non-homeless children. They are more likely to suffer serious emotional problems and less likely to receive treatment. The greatest hope for these children - to lift themselves to a brighter future - is education. Statistics show homeless children face an uphill battle in school. They suffer from a rate of learning disabilities, and are more likely to repeat a grade. These are the odds that more than 400 homeless students in the University City and Wellston School Districts faced during the 2006-2007 school year.
Currently, homeless students can not be denied an education. They are allowed to enroll or remain in the school district where they once resided. Homeless students are to be enrolled immediately, and district policy cannot create a barrier to their enrollment. Schools are eligible for grants to provide transportation for homeless students who reside outside the district. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed last February provided some $70 million for the funding of homeless students. This number is substantially less than the controversial $135 million AIG paid out in bonuses after receiving federal bailout money. In our district, students are struggling to succeed and face life on the streets, while the folks on Wall Street line their pockets after record losses. That is why I am seriously looking at legislation that directly looks at this situation.
The economic crisis has forced many of us to make sacrifices and make tough decisions. Some families struggle with basic necessities like putting food on the table. Stanley Bray at St. Louis Area Foodbank has noticed. "With the current unemployment rate and the economy in turmoil, families are finding it difficult to put food table," Bray said. St. Louis Area Foodbank serves as the distribution center for 500-plus pantries, soup kitchens and emergency programs. Its agencies serve a varied group from the unemployed to the working poor to first-time pantry users. St. Louis Area Foodbank distributed more than 14 million pounds of food last year. According to Bray, "the quicker the food comes, the quicker it goes out." Organizations like St. Louis Area Foodbank serve an important role in protecting our children. Studies have shown that children who receive a nutritious meal are more likely to do better academically, socially, and mentally.
If your family is facing difficult times, there are things you can do to emotionally support your children. Dr. Gloria Grenwald, professor in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department at Webster University, believes it is best to be honest and straightforward with your children, but take into account the child's age and maturity so as not to overwhelm the child. Dr. Grenwald suggests taking a positive approach to let your child know what you are doing to solve the problem and involve them in problem solving ideas such as posing the question "What do you think would help us save money?" When children make positive contributions to the family, it builds confidence, responsibility and lessons feelings of anxiety and helplessness.
We must remain optimistic. Things may be difficult, but now is the time to remember what is really important in life. The impact this crisis has had on children is heartbreaking. But long before the economic downturn children were suffering. Before words like bailout or stimulus were part of everyday vocabulary a child would wake up not knowing where she would sleep that night or a student would sit in a classroom only able to focus on the hunger pains in her stomach. These problems won't be solved just in the halls of Washington or Jefferson City. It is important for those who can to reach out to those in need. Organizations like St. Louis Foodbank rely heavily on volunteers, so your time is just as valuable as money. So take some time, take your family and volunteer.
Sincerely,
Maria Chappelle-NadalDistrict 72 |
