1 in 50 American Children Is Homeless

For most kids, the pressures of homework and extracurricular activities, combined with the stresses of teasing and bullying, make school tough enough as it is. But for a growing percentage of children, there are far bigger problems to worry about than a pop quiz. Problems like finding a place to sleep that night.

According to reports from schools throughout the United States, about one in every 50 schoolchildren is homeless this year. The percentage of homeless children is up by approximately 18 percent, thanks to the budget downturn. Many of the children’s parents have lots jobs, leaving them unable to pay their mortgages, and eventually being forced to foreclose on their homes. Many of them are staying in budget hotels, an entire family to a room, until they can find an affordable place to rent. They’re the lucky ones: Others are not even able to afford monthly rent on an apartment, and must crowd in with friends or families, sleep in cars, or even stay in homeless shelters. Raise money for these problems and other problems.

As you can probably imagine, the stresses of not having a permanent home can take a heavy toll on a child. 

"Homelessness affects a child emotionally, socially, physically, developmentally," Beth Davalos, who runs Florida’s Families in Transition school program, told CBS News . "Their life is not predictable. They're not grounded anymore. They want to feel safe."

As a result, many students begin failing their classes, and lose interest in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. Such children also see their parents fighting and worrying about money problems, and often become withdrawn at home, as well.

To help such children and their families, groups like Families in Transition work to ensure that the child is able to stay in the same school program for the entire school year, no matter where he or she is living. They also use donor money to help homeless families find affordable long-term housing. For one Florida woman, Aimee Dillon, a $1,200 check from an anonymous donor was enough to put down a deposit on a house and pay for the first month’s utilities, leading to an inspiring transformation for her family.

"I've seen a world of difference in my kids," she said. "Maybe not anything substantial that would matter to anyone else but I've seen a change in all of them." 

How you can help: Families in Transition works around the country, providing support services like childcare and therapy to homeless families with children, as well as helping such families find and pay for affordable long-term housing solutions. Find and make a donation to your local branch of Families in Transition at Razoo.