Facts About Poverty
United States
Did you know that 18 percent of all children in the United States live in poverty. That is about 1 in every 5 children. Around 2.5 million children around the United States experience being homeless. The state with the highest poverty rate is Mississippi, but poverty is spread throughout the country. The U.S. uses poverty thresholds to determine who is poor.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is ranked 10th poor in the nation. 13.2 percent of children are suffering from poverty in Massachusetts, this is the highest percentage out of all ages. Latinos experience the most amount of poverty, which adds up to 25.2 percent. In the year 2016, there was 8 percent of disconnected youth (disconnected youth are youth ages from 18-24 that do not attend school or a job. In 2015-2017, 10.2 percent of households did not have enough money to purchase food at some point in time.
Objective
With these facts, our objective is to make children feel more welcome within school, by providing them with donations that they can receive on school property. We plan on donating things such as; clothing, shoes, toiletries, preserved foods, and school supplies. By providing them with these simple necessities, we believe struggling children and families would be more comfortable to go to school. Hence the name Comfort in the Classroom, because we are trying to make schools more welcoming. This is a non-profit organization.
Some might think that providing donations won't help. There are many families that live in poverty that do not like taking donations. For these families, they feel that reaching out for that type of help will belittle them. The services we are providing are completely optional for their children, but they are encouraged.
Some might think that providing donations won't help. There are many families that live in poverty that do not like taking donations. For these families, they feel that reaching out for that type of help will belittle them. The services we are providing are completely optional for their children, but they are encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What would the process be to obtain these items?
Parents of the child attending the school will have to fill out a form requiring their yearly income to see if they qualify for the services being provided. There will also be occasions where teachers can recommend a student to for the services.
Wouldn't this make the child more uncomfortable?
We are planning on having this program be as classified as possible. The child will receive a draw-string bag containing essentials monthly. The program won't have a set area inside the school building. It will most likely be in or near the guidance office.
How will we know if the school my child attends has this program?
There will be a meeting set up for parents to attend before your child attends school. It will be similar to an orientation, but only parents may attend. This is so children that get these services don't get bullied or feel even more left out because their peers would not know.
Parents of the child attending the school will have to fill out a form requiring their yearly income to see if they qualify for the services being provided. There will also be occasions where teachers can recommend a student to for the services.
Wouldn't this make the child more uncomfortable?
We are planning on having this program be as classified as possible. The child will receive a draw-string bag containing essentials monthly. The program won't have a set area inside the school building. It will most likely be in or near the guidance office.
How will we know if the school my child attends has this program?
There will be a meeting set up for parents to attend before your child attends school. It will be similar to an orientation, but only parents may attend. This is so children that get these services don't get bullied or feel even more left out because their peers would not know.
Other Donation Centers
Salvation Army
Red Cross
Thrift Stores
Good Will
Savers
Salvation Army
Red Cross
Thrift Stores
Good Will
Savers
Salvation Army