Families at risk
Families and children can be find themselves as ‘at-risk’ when they experience violence, unemployment, drug abuse, single-parenthood, teen pregnancy or mental illness. When a child from an at-risk family grows up, they can fall into the same negative behavior patterns as their parents. By intervening and counseling families that are at-risk for household instability, Childhood can provide a safer and more stable life where a child can grow and develop.
13.7 million people are single parents in America today, raising 21.2 million children.*
Childhood’s primarily works with adults and teens which need help managing their roles as parents. Most often this applies to single and or young parents.
Every child has the right to grow up with their parents and family which give them a sense of community and stability. However, there are situations where it is necessary to find an alternative home for the child. In these cases, research show the importance of family-style setting for the child. Growing up in a family environment give the children the best opportunity to develop into a healthy and responsible adult.
What does Childhood do for families at risk?
Children from at risk families are more likely to have food and housing insecurity, poor grades and a record of truancy. Do to their hunger and time unsupervised and without housing, they are at a greater risk of being trafficking or abused. By supporting families in need, children protected are kept off the the streets and the risk of being separated from their parents and placed in institutions will decrease dramatically. By helping parents at risk, Childhood helps next generations to thrive and succeed.
A look at one of our projects
GRADS in Lawrence County, USA
Childhood funds GRADS to provide child care, transportation services and teacher training. Teen parents attend weekly classes to increase their knowledge about child development and to emphasize the nurturing of their babies. Classes also serve as support group since most of the teens come from broken families with drug and other kinds of abuse.
*estimated by U.S. Census Bureau
