The Problem
Children isolated by poverty are being left behind due to Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Poverty Rate
1 in 8 live at or below the poverty level.
Children
Live at 50% below the poverty level.
Single-Mother
Households live in poverty.
Students
Do not finish high school.
The Root of the Problem
The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Households in cyclical poverty, more often than not, include a variety of Adverse Childhood Experiences, which traumatize children and markedly affect their development.
These experiences include:
- Unstable and insufficient income
- Substance abuse
- Fatherlessness
- Single-parenting
- Lack of proper nutrition
- Lack of proper emotional nourishment
- Household member arrested or in prison
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
The Solution
Adverse Childhood Experiences can be mitigated by long-term, consistent, research-based mentoring and family advocacy.
We work with the most vulnerable. We choose to work with the public school children who are having the most trouble; the children most likely to become the next generation of generational poverty; the children who are likely to drop out, fail, fall into substance abuse, become involved with the juvenile justice system or become a teen parent.
We start earlier, go deeper, and stay longer.
Start Earlier
Our mentees start with a full-time mentor in kindergarten or first grade. In partnership with local schools, our Advocate Mentors select the most vulnerable children and walk with them through the years and challenges.
Go Deeper
We focus on all areas of growth a child needs to succeed. In collaboration with their families, identifying the needs and strengths of the child and their family. We work with them 4 hours each week, 52 weeks per year.
We Stay Longer
Our mentors stay with their mentees until they graduate high school or even longer. Children’s brains develop from before birth into the twenties and childhood development is the solution. Our goal is success.
