The United States has the second highest child poverty rate among 35 industrialized countries despite having the largest economy in the world. A child in the United States has a 1 in 5 chance of being poor and the younger she is the poorer she is likely to be. A child of color, who will be in the majority of U.S. children in 2020, is more than twice as likely to be poor as a White child. This is unacceptable and unnecessary. Growing up poor has lifelong negative consequences, decreasing the likelihood of graduating from high school and increasing the likelihood of becoming a poor adult, suffering from poor health, and becoming involved in the criminal justice system. These impacts cost the nation at least half a trillion dollars a year in lost productivity and increased health and crime costs. Letting a fifth of our children grow up poor prevents them from having equal opportunities to succeed in life and robs the nation of their future contributions.
The U.S. can end child poverty by investing more in programs and policies that work. For the first time, the Children’s Defense Fund 2015 report, Ending Child Poverty Now, shows that by investing an additional 2 percent of the federal budget into existing programs and policies that increase employment, make work pay, and ensure children’s basic needs are met, the nation could reduce child poverty by 60 percent and lift 6.6 million children out of poverty immediately.
If you take action and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from Children's Defense Fund.
Invest in Programs that Work to Reduce Child Poverty in the U.S.
Dear [Decision Maker],
As your constituent, I urge you to support the policies and programs we know work to reduce our morally obscene level of child poverty in America. One in five children is poor despite our having the largest economy in the world. I ask you to read and share with your colleagues the Children's Defense Fund 2015 report Ending Child Poverty Now (www.endingchildpovertynow.org), that shows how, for the first time, we can reduce child poverty 60 percent and improve the economic circumstances for 97 percent of poor children right now.
Sincerely,[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP] [Your Email]
