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Children and Youth
Pink Slips Mean Increased Risk for Kids
10.5 million American children under 18 – or one in seven kids – are currently living with an unemployed parent, which increases their risk for experiencing homelessness, suffering from child abuse, failing to complete high school or college, and living in poverty (First Focus). Learn more about the impact of the recession on children here.
Grim Numbers for Teen Mom High School Graduation Rates
One in three teen moms will not earn a high school diploma or a GED, and the younger a mother is when she gives birth, the less likely she is to earn a degree. Only 38% of moms under 18 receive a high school diploma by the age of 22, while those who are 18 or 19 are somewhat better positioned with a 60% chance of earning a degree by that age. Yet, both groups still fall short of the 89% of young women with no children who receive their diploma by 22 (Child Trends). Read more about education rates among teen mothers here.
Growing Up Strong: Positive Outcomes for Youth in Camp 2 Grow Program
Camp 2 Grow, a leadership and environmental stewardship program for middle and high-school aged youth developed by the American Camp Association®, cites positive results in its 2009 Impact Report, proving that the initiative framework significantly improves youth outcomes in the areas of independence, empowerment, citizenship, and nature stewardship. Learn about the program here.
Older Americans
Making the Grade – Intergenerational Program Gets Glowing Review
Experience Corps, a national program that engages over 2,000 55+ seniors as tutors and mentors in 22 cities, gets top marks in a review from the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) of the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. Read the review here.
A New Kind of Volunteer? – Baby Boomers and 21st Century Volunteerism
Recent findings indicate that Baby Boomer participation rates in formalized volunteer programs are declining, particularly among faith-based groups. Middle-age volunteers instead prefer to find independent ways to contribute their time and energy (AARP). Read the full report on trends in senior volunteerism here.
Health Care
Health Care for Her: Paying More for Less
According to statistics, women are at a disadvantage when it comes to health insurance and medical care. Not only do they spend more on insurance and medical bills – paying approximately 48% more than men – but they also receive less coverage and are more likely to forgo necessary care (Center for American Progress). View the numbers on women and health care here.
Poverty and Community
Economic Downturn Drives an Upturn in Family Homelessness
Homeless advocates predict that the recession will push up to 1.5 million people into homelessness over the next two years, many of whom are being referred to as the “new face of homelessness” – low-income working families who lose their homes due to layoffs (Institute for Children and Poverty). Learn more about the relationship between unemployment and homelessness here.
Suburbs are the New Home for the Nation’s Poor
As of 2008, the suburbs are now home to almost one-third of America’s poor, having grown by 25 percent – almost five times faster than the primary cities and other non-metro areas – since 2000. The large suburban areas also had almost 1.5 million more poor residents than their primary cities (Brookings). Read the official report on suburban poverty here.
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