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Homeless Children and Families
1.5 million children – one out of every 50 children - are homeless in U.S.
Children bear the burden of homelessness. They are twice as likely to go hungry, are twice as sick, and are three times more likely to have an emotional or behavioral problem than a non-homeless child (National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2005). K.I.D.S. battles these effects of poverty by supporting social service agencies and homeless shelters across the country. In partnership with industry, individuals, and agencies, we donate new children’s clothes, books and other essentials to help children displaced by homelessness.
When the Houston Coalition for the Homeless, an agency with which K.I.D.S. closely partners, asked individuals and families without homes what their greatest need was, 83% of young people as well as adults answered “clothing,” above medical care, job training, housing vouchers or even food.
“With so many secondhand donations being ‘good enough for them but not for us,’, a child’s dignity is lost, and their self-worth shattered because they wear badly worn-out, ill-fitting garments”.
-Shelter Director from one of K.I.D.S.’ recipient agencies
“In working with the homeless population in Greensboro, we were able to provide approximately 50 families with clothes/shoes for their children for the spring and summer….This population would not have been able to provide their babies with such an assortment of wonderful clothes. We were very grateful to be allowed to help in this way. Thanks to K.I.D.S’ most generous spirit.”
-Terry Speed, Coordinator Beloved Community Center Homeless Hospitality House
