The Underclass

This week, I decided to interview someone who is associated with a nonprofit organization based out of Atlanta, GA. This interviewee asked to be unnamed, so I will respect his wish. I decided to interview this man because he has been involved with ministry for about 20 years and has a countless amount of knowledge on the subject of poverty. His concentration now is on the at-risk youth of Atlanta. He is helping them break the poverty cycle. 

In this interview he told me many great facts about poverty and homeless. He also told me stories of his experiences ranging from gang interaction to prayer for homeless children. So far, in my blog, I haven't mentioned specific types of people who are homeless. 

Here are some statistics taken from

National Coalition for the Homeless:

AGE

In 2003, children under the age of 18 accounted for 39% of the homeless population; 42% of these children were under the age of five (National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2004). This same study found that unaccompanied minors comprised 5% of the urban homeless population. However, in other cities and especially in rural areas, the numbers of children experiencing homelessness are much higher.  According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, in 2004, 25% of homeless were ages 25 to 34; the same study found percentages of homeless persons aged 55 to 64 at 6%.

GENDER

Most studies show that single homeless adults are more likely to be male than female. In 2007, a survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that of the population surveyed 35% of the homeless people who are members of households with children are male while 65% of these people are females. However, 67.5% of the single homeless population is male, and it is this single population that makes up 76% of the homeless populations surveyed (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2007).

FAMILIES

The number of homeless families with children has increased significantly over the past decade.  Families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. In its 2007 survey of 23 American cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that families with children comprised 23% of the homeless population (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2007).

Throughout our interview, he continued to mention that people are losing sight. 

"We see the rich, we notice the middle class, we try to ignore the working class, but the working poor and underclass are unseen." 

Take a ook at these statistics. It hurts me that they even exist honestly. My challenge to all of us is to help just one person this week. Notice the change. These facts could soon be nonexistent.