Bad Economy = Questionable Future for Foster Care Kids
We have all heard the economy is bad and the United States is in a major recession – but just how major, is major?
In a new report released today by the Brookings Institute, South Florida has suffered more during the recession than almost any other place in the country. The report studies the 100 major metropolitan areas across the nation comparing housing markets and job loss rates. Taking into account our shrinking economy and collapsing real estate prices, South Florida ranks low, in the bottom 20.
This is a revelation that might not be novel to us, as residents of the area. We have seen the evidence downtown and across Miami-Dade County of vacant buildings and foreclosed homes. We have had friends ask us to open our rolodex in an effort to find companies that are hiring. And most recently, we have seen the Florida government attempt to tighten its budget through the reckless slashing of funds for a portion of our most needy citizens.
It is difficult in a recession to look beyond the impact the economic climate is having on one’s own family, but the impact is there and it is very real. Those hit hardest in a recession are those that were already struggling before the economy took a nosedive. Families that were already under pressure to provide food for their children and a roof over their head find themselves without a stable source of income and caught in cycle of abuse and neglect due to uncontrollable financial stress.
Nationally, 27% of the homeless population has spent time in Foster Care. As the housing market in South Florida is one of the most volatile in the country, one can only imagine a higher percentage for our region. Through your support of Voices For Children Foundation, together we can work to ensure that Miami-Dade’s foster children are given a real chance at success, even during these difficult economic times.
Please consider a donation today to BE A VOICE for the abused, abandoned and neglected children in our community, so that they do not have to question their future.
Tags: Abuse, Child Welfare, Department of Children and Familes, Economy, foster care, Guardian Ad Litem, Homeless Miami, Neglect, Recession, South Florida Recession, Voices For Children Foundation
