September 19, 2015

What is Generational Poverty?

Generational poverty is a term applied to families who have experienced poverty for at least two generations. It can affect every aspect of a person’s life: physical, social, emotional and mental.

  • Here’s what we know about children born into poverty:
    They think it’s their fault: They feel great shame. They believe that people judge them.
  • Lack of education is the main cause: They are three times more likely to drop out of high school. Teen pregnancy is also more likely.
  • They give up hope: They see how much their parents struggle and figure they always will, too They can’t imagine their lives ever being different.

But there’s good news! The cycle can be broken and you can help! When you provide food, shelter, job training programs, life-skills education and counseling, families have a chance to escape the cycle of generational poverty and build a new life.

For $25 you will give someone the tools they need to escape poverty!