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Poverty in America

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    Recent study has alarming findings

  • Duration 6:43
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That -- US poverty numbers.

Are up in a very big wave the national poverty rate has risen at a time when people are.

Very very much a challenge across our country looking for work people who have.

-- -- does people who are struggling in this economy.

And up from India Hairston -- -- with world vision she's the vice president US program is here joining us from Washington today.

To expand on the implications of this and what this means is this what you know seems.

So hard to believe that we are here 2011.

-- country.

Talking about.

Rising poverty rates it just seems that you know even 510 years ago it would never even thought to -- to talk about.

It's way what are your thoughts on this.

World vision is extremely concerned about the increasing.

Poverty rates in the US and we already know that the systems that support I'm vulnerable Americans.

Our stress and they're stretched really thin and we realize that -- the numbers of Americans who are living in poverty grows.

It's only get a tax those systems more.

And world vision is uniquely concerned about the well being of children in light of these numbers -- -- as you look at the numbers.

And their realities that we're facing what we see is that children are 13 of the two point six million Americans been increased number.

And living in poverty that is of extreme concern to us.

Actually it's heartbreaking because -- in a big concern for me too because I have.

Thirty dvds for many years and -- lot of reporting about cause of poverty.

Back you know 1015 years ago when.

Oh there were efforts under way in big ways to bring those numbers down lot of programs in place some -- making some headway there.

And yet when he's seen the long term impact of having children living in poverty it speaks volumes in terms of the kind of future that they may -- up living and how that's going to impact our economy down the road.

Absolutely.

One of the things that we see in our work.

Each year world vision serves in the US -- over three million children families and adults and one of the things that we're seeing.

Is increasing rates of need from our partners in those that we -- And we know that the impacts of generational poverty on far -- the impacts of situation all.

Poverty and one -- -- things we have to pay close attention to in our country is in a recent report that came out it showed that we've lost most of the gains that we've had in -- wellbeing.

I'm already since 1975.

-- a startling statistic -- -- it I think will cause all of us to wake up and asked the question.

-- what is it that we can do to really impact the lives of children today to give them a better future than what we're seeing right now.

So in from your what you see and understand it.

Unlike any other I was alluding to that the gains that have been made it over these years he's just a package and five have been wiped out.

At this plant restarted from ground zero again.

Absolutely.

Are dead child development foundation at a recent report may look at a number of things that help us understand how well being.

And all of their data showing that the gains we've made since 1975.

-- that we've lost I'm there was also a report that came out several years ago but it's a very recent report from UNICEF that showed the US is really trailing behind on our peers in the developed world.

-- of 21 countries that were -- the US ranked number twenty.

In overall it's now well being and that's everything from material well being to health and safety.

To how old young people in children actually.

Think about their own well being.

That striking.

For a nation of our stature and -- capability.

Let me ask you this is specifically what are the -- the hot -- right now that you see that need to be dealt with immediately where people can really -- -- on this.

And perhaps see what they can do to help.

Well world vision is concerned about a couple of things one the material well being of children we know that we've got an increasing issue with food insecurity in this country.

I'm world vision is preparing even now to -- -- to develop flu kits that we.

-- be the street meeting here in the next calendar year because we know that there are longer lines at food banks and He -- war hungry.

Are less able to learn their less able to swing gays and and less able to thrive.

We're also concerned about increasing on violence in communities.

As people struggle -- to make it we know that kids suffer and so.

We continue to look at the stability of neighborhoods and families we continue to look at how are those who were impacted.

By these devastating statistics a part of their own solutions and world vision continues to work.

To ensure that communities are strong in their children have the basic things that they need to thrive and to survive.

You know the challenges are daunting are you optimistic that we can -- -- that we can get get back in front of it -- and go back.

Two levels where we were really seeing some progress made.

In the life of children.

I am optimistic here's the thing that I believed -- I believe that America is a country.

That rallies I believe now is the time for us to look at the real realities of what children -- facing.

And I believe -- I have experienced this bad wind given the opportunity and given -- means.

To change things.

American step up and we help one another and that those Americans were facing challenges.

When given me as an opportunity.

They also help themselves and so I'm very optimistic and I think we have done it before.

Com and we can do it again this isn't the first time our country has faced a challenge and it won't be the last.

But we can overcome.

By working together hand by I'm taking hold of the opportunities that are in front of.

So well it's great to see you today thank you so much for sharing your insights.

You -- relaxed keep in touch with so that you can keep us up to date posted as to how things are moving along and or.

Any specific area that we need to address that we can be helpful to try and put a spotlight on -- so that we can eliminate childhood poverty in general thank you.

Thank you so much Norma may I just make a quick comment absolutely.

If folks would like to get involved -- would like to help to support our efforts you can go to www.

World vision dot org.

Back slash US programs or call 1888.

56 child's.

We continue to be concerned and we continue want to partner with the American public.

To really make this world a better place for -- isn't so we invite folks to join us in that effort and they have even -- Romney has a great organization I have to say and I applaud your effort I wish you all the best thank you very much.

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