http://www.everychildusa.com/index.php/challenges.html?start=1
- More than one-third of U.S. homeless population is made up of children.
- Fifty percent of homeless teens age 16 and older drop out of school.
- An estimated 1.6 million to 2.8 million teens and young people through age 22 are on our streets. Many have been subjected to physical and sexual abuse by a parent or guardian; are abandoned due to substance abuse in the home; and/or suffered extreme family conflict.
- Almost 1 million children enrolled in our schools were homeless in the Fall 2008 school year, a jump of more than 41% from the 2006-2007, according to the Department of Education, which notes that these numbers do not cover every school district.
- Homeless children/teens are twice as likely to have a learning disability, repeat a grade, or be suspended from school.
- A quarter of homeless children have witnessed violence and 22% have been separated from their families.
- Many homeless youth engage in risky sexual behaviors.
- 97% of homeless kids move at least once a year, interrupting their education and making academic achievement more difficult.
- More than 50% of homeless youth suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and/or substance abuse problems.
- Among the 21 most affluent nations, the United States has the highest percentage of poor children. In fact, our rate is twice that of the country next in line.
- About 15 million children -- one out of every four -- live below the official poverty line.
- 22% of Americans under the age of 18 -- and 25% under age 12 -- are hungry or at the risk of being hungry.
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