Is anybody watching 20/20 tonight about the kids and familiesin Camden NJ, the poorest city in the nation? It is appalling that anybody in the United States of America has to live like those kids and families do. Everybody should have enough to eat, live in decent housing, and get a good education. It makes you think about the conversations/threads about Bush and the Rebublicans vs. the Democrats. Let's make sure that we encourage the powers that be, Democrat, Republican or Independent, to help Americans who need help-it will only make our country stronger.

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Jocelyn



My babies are the joys of my life and keep me young:
The twins,Tatiana Gabrielle and William Joseph , 1/29/97, and baby boy, Jared Lawrence, 8/27/02.

I'm going to check out "Urban Promise" and see how I can support them. I work in a high school and we have our share of "Billy Joe's" there - you can help one kid at a time.

I watched it! It is so heatbreaking to see this happening here in America

I watched it, too. It was sad to see people living like that, but, very encouraging to see so many who don't/won't let it get them down.

Every state has a Camden of sorts. I hope that show encourages people everywhere to help any way they can. These people not only need help, they need hope. Not just lip service, either, actual action.

I thought that was a great show, very honest.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

It was so heartbreaking to watch. Our government is spending billions per week in Iraq...and that money is needed so desperately right here in this country. Seriously, it is time to get priorities straight.

I just wanted to add that, we can't count only our politicians to do something-if we each found a way to help at least one child or one family in need, how wonderful would that be? And we could accomplish much more than the politicians in Washington D.C. with immediate results that we would see in our own communities. Find time to volunteer or bring somebody a meal, turtor a child-there is so much to do and you don't have to be rich to lend a helping hand. It may me realize that I am blessed and even though I am busy, I need to find time to help in some tangible way.

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Jocelyn



My babies are the joys of my life and keep me young:
The twins,Tatiana Gabrielle and William Joseph , 1/29/97, and baby boy, Jared Lawrence, 8/27/02.

I thought the show was really well done. Unfortunately this is everywhere, not just in NJ. Having been a social worker in the past and working in the projects, it is just like what was depicted in the show. However, there is still poverty and hunger everywhere not just in the cities, now I live in a small town, pop. 1200 and I run a food basket drive at Christmas, the number of needy continues to increase each year and the amount of donations (food, money, toys) continues to decrease. If you want to help locally, pick a charity of some type and donate your time, money or items to them. It truely does bother me that we are spending so much money in Iraq, not only there, but for financial and medical aid to other foreign countries, things like the space program, etc, there are so many, but we can't take care of the people in our own country that need food and medical health insurance.

This is our biggest flaw. Until we can take care of everyone in this country, we need to keep our noses out of others. We have some serious problems here we need to fix.

It's quite disturbing to see so many poor, homeless and hungry Americans. What's even more disturbing is the number of hungry and poor Americans you don't see or know about. It could be the child your kids sit next to at school. This is in every state in America. We need to take care of our own before we try to fix the world.

I didn't see the show but saw some previews. Diane Sawyer is a gutsy and caring journalist... always has been. Kudos to her for spending the night and telling the story. It is a good reminder to take care of our fellow humans. They might be living closer than we think (ie in our neighborhoods) and have no idea how to dig themselves out of their poverty. So hard.

Where I live in MA, all public school children are entitled to get free breakfast-even if a person appears to clean and well kept, he or she could be hungry and needy. We have always had free or reduced lunch for the children who qualify and at my children's school, even if a child forgets his money, he or she can eat lunch. There are a lot of working people wh are using most of their income to pay rent and by the end of the month need to rely on food pantries and donations to feed their families. The children were so cute-it broke my heart when one little boy's wish for Christmas was for a home, curtains, chocolate pudding, etc. He was five years old and did not ask for toys. I like Diane Sawyer too, she is a great journalist who is down to earth, gutsy, and caring. She seems like a real person and I hope that her report opens people's eyes and gets them to take action.

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Jocelyn



My babies are the joys of my life and keep me young:
The twins,Tatiana Gabrielle and William Joseph , 1/29/97, and baby boy, Jared Lawrence, 8/27/02.

I was amazed at how she could sit there with those BIG roaches crawling around.
I will admit that I would have freaked out.

isn't that what our govt is about? helping everyone else but our own?

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

Those weren't big roaches...you should see ones down here in the south

I thought that the saddest part of the show was when the "teacher" (wasn't really a teacher, more like administrator or something for the school district) asked the one little boy, on his first day of kindergarten, about "when" you eat meals, and what those meals are called...like morning/breakfast...noon/lunchtime....afterschool/before bed/dinner.......and the little boy had NO idea what he was talking about. That poor kid was going all day without eating, and didn't have any idea that most people eat 3 times (or more) a day. I cried when I watched that.

I couldn't watch...

It just makes me sick to see kids mistreated. I have had kids refused lunch because they owe money to the cafeteria (I have some that are poor- but do not want to accept free lunch). I feel so bad for how the kids are treated. I have them charge to my account.

This was exactly what I was getting at in the State of the Union thread. The state of THIS union is embarrassing!!! I don't get it either. We are sending BILLIONS to rebuild a country WE TORE APART, and we can't even take care of those in our own backyards!!! I've been without a job and had to rely on assistance to survive. It isn't easy!!! NO CHILD should EVER GO HUNGRY!!!!!! There is MORE than enough in this country that that should NOT be happening. It's time to take the politics right back home again. In my experience, the Democrats beliefs follow along with improving our nations situation here at home!!!This is unacceptable to be happening here in the land where the pursuit of happiness is in the constition!!!

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Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt, and
Dance like you do when nobody's watching.

MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

I don't understand why parents would not take advantage of the free lunch program if they qualify... I can understand having pride but these children need to eat?! It sounds as though the parents are not treating the kids right in those situations that you are speaking of. Have you reported them to DES?

Many poor parents are illiterate or semi-illiterate and might not be able to read and understand notices well. I don't think that I would necessarily report them to social services because once they are involved, they are quick to take kids out of the home and put them in foster care (especially if the child is poor, lower class, or from a minority group)-I know because I used to do a lot of these cases. First I would tell a school official and there is usually a principal or school counselor who can approach the family. If a school or health official suspects abuse or neglect, he or she is mandated to report it to social services.If you are another parent, then I would try to talk to the child's parent if approachable, out of concern for the child. I can't see not letting a child eat lunch if he or she does not bring money in-there have been times when one of my kids has lost their lunch money or I forgot for some reason and they can charge it and I just send it in the next day. Our school also lets the kids bring in a snack for midmorning from K-6. To ensure that kindergarten students get a good healthy snack, the kindergarten teacher buys the snack-at the beginning of the year you pay $10/child or something like that and if you can't afford it you don't pay. sometimes I donate some healthy snacks to the classroom because all kids can not bring one in to school or parents forget some times.

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Jocelyn



My babies are the joys of my life and keep me young:
The twins,Tatiana Gabrielle and William Joseph , 1/29/97, and baby boy, Jared Lawrence, 8/27/02.

How incredibly kind and compassionate of you!

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@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I know this is going to get off topic,but, there were hungry people in this country before the war in Iraq. I think to solve this problem, we need to find out WHY these people are going hungry and homeless?? I think it's a bad idea to expect the Government to "fix" everything. On one hand we ask for less Gov't involvement, and on the other hand we are asking for more. There is really no easy answer to it. That's why I am hooked up with an agency here....they partner you with an elderly person who needs a little help each month. I agree to bring whatever food/non-foods I can to them. In fact, I go back there on Monday to make my monthly drop, and I'm going to ask them if they can/plan to , start up something like that with whole families. I think these people need more than just social programs, they need mentoring and education.

JMTCW.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I agree completely. It is absolutely heartbreaking and tragic, but it's not at all connected to Iraq. We have always had poor and destitute Americans. We have more social funding now than we have ever had, from free breakfasts and lunches and food pantries on down. The problem is much deeper than just throwing more money into programs to feed people. Giving people more food won't change a culture of illiteracy, because, as has been pointed out in this thread, there are already free meals available, and many of these families do not avail themselves of the opportunity to at least have two hot meals a day for their children.

I don't pretend to know what the answer is, societally, but it's not a situation where spending less on national defense will have an impact on the poorest of our poor. That, I believe, can only be impacted by the helping hearts of other Americans, one on one, willing to give their time and their hearts to show individuals a more stable way, and impact them in such a way that they can take those tools and use them to move their family up a rung or two in the ladder of life.

We have had the poor since the very beginning. This is nothing new, and certainly not something that simply cropped up post-Iraq war. Many of those children are the products of parents who themselves were children during the last administration... but I don't blame President Clinton for their lack of parenting skills or societal know-how or lack of education. It's a very sad generational chain that can only be broken by the love and caring of others...and I don't know how one mobilizes a force of such people big enough to make an overall impact.

It's tragic and heartbreaking.... it really is.

I agree 100%! My hat is off to this teacher (airbornearmywife). Your children are very lucky to have you in their lives.

...BUT, teachers should not have to pay out of their own pockets for their students to eat. The programs ARE in place for them to be fed.

Agreed. Kinda like the old "Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". However, maybe I'm just a pessimist but I don't think it will ever be possible to bootstrap all the poor and destitute into a better life. People have to want to help themselves and I think that there is some small percentage of our population that will not.

cj/

Just got done watching....That little boy Ivan was such a cutie!! It just broke my heart to see ALL the kids. I'm SO glad that the High School kid graduated. That was a really informative show.

I think that's partly true... but so many really don't understand any different. Breaking into the social class above the one in which they currently exist isn't even on their radar, simply because they don't have the tools and haven't been enmeshed in a culture that has an expectation of success. So many of us who are currently middle class are not here because of our own bootstraps, but because we benefit from wells we did not dig. It's as though they are so far down on the list that they have had next to no exposure to any of the possibilities that to us are commonplace. They don't even know there is anything to aspire to... kwim?

I think caring people helping them find vision can be impactive. The key, imho, is those people.

I don't think anyone in this thread is saying that the "poor" in this country has anything to do with Iraq, or blaming it on Iraq. But, it is quite disgusting to see billions of taxpayer dollars per week going to help one tiny country (and much more if you think of all the other countries we are also helping) try to fix their extremely long disfunctional history, rather than putting it to good use right here at home. I don't see a free handout as being the answer, but that money could go a long way in helping the situation in other ways....paying school teachers more, revitalizing the educational system, more training programs for the poor/illiterate/etc (I know that some exist, but there is certainly room for better programs & ones that aren't always bogged down in red tape hell), more/better "transitional" housing for those working/learning to improve their situation (not the typical long term free welfare housing or projects, but shorter term decent, safe, clean housing as an incentive for people truly making steps to improve their lives, and let them experience the difference that their hard work brings, and give them hope for more out of life). Honestly, until this country does a total overhaul of the welfare system...there isn't going to be much change in most poor (poorest of poor) people's situations. The welfare system wasn't started in the beginning to be long lasting...it started with good intentions of a temporary "hand-up", but has never lived up to what it was planned to be. It failed from the start. Unless it is completely overhauled, I don't see how anything will ever change and, unfortunately, total change is such a huge and formidable undertaking that I doubt it will ever happen

I guess the thinking is that we need access to the oil to be able to sustain and/or improve our own country. An overall of the welfare system is a great place to start. We don't seem to mind cutting/changing programs for the elderly - Social Security, medicare, etc but can't seem to do much with welfare....

(By the way, I agree, far too much money being sunk into Iraq that could be used for other things....what a quagmire)

cj/

I didn't even know this was going to be on. Does anyone know if/when it will be reaired? Sadly I think we live in a society that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The middle class is getting poorer too I think. In our area we are taxed to death (it's 10 or 11 percent here now and they keep raising it). It's just getting harder and harder to make ends meet--even if you have a decent job--especially if you have several kids to feed. Everyone has tons of bills to pay that just keep going up before they can buy food. I'm talking about necessities like water bill, electricity, gas bill, mortgage/rent, etc.

I agree with some of the others that wrote that you would probably be surprised to know that a lot of people you know live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to put food on the table. I think that's one of the reasons for the obesity levels in the U.S., the price of 'quality' food is so much more than 'less nutritious' food. I'm not saying it's the only reason of course, but I think it probably adds quite a bit to it.

I used to be a social worker for the state and finally had to get out of it--too many sad sad stories like these. It was heartbreaking. I agree it is sad that our own great country is in this situation and we can't fix it; and then on top of that look at all of the food that is thrown out/wasted. Sadly, but whether it's the parents' faults or not, it's the children that pay. A lot of the poor poor in the country have jobs but it's just not enough to make it.

I didn't see this program, But wanted to ask, If these people live in such poor conditions and don't have food for their family, Then why are they not getting food stamps, WIC, and other funded programs ?. I cannot buy into they can't read, Because they have jobs I assume , How did they get the job every place I have applied requires the person to fill a Job App.They send their children to school right ? I don't understand why the children are not eating Lunch ? Not every school offers breakfast, However, It's my understanding that the school provides Breakfast and Lunches to poorer areas due to this.Also, I would think, these people have other family members or even friends that know about Food Stamps, WIC, food banks etc, why are the families NOT helping them out with telling them about these programs ?.. Housing I can understand. I know that Section 8 takes years sometimes to get a house, Low rent housing, HUD etc. So I understand about that part, But are these people on the list at at least ?

Sorry, But I'm not cold hearted really I'm not, but I do believe these people could do better, but it will have to start with them 1st. Oh and the pride stuff, Sorry, Pride or not, It's child abuse to allow your child to go hungry with so many programs out there to help them.

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MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

at all public schools, but here all children get a lunch. If they come to school without one, they are entitled to a lunch no matter if they are on the free or reduced lunch or not, or if they owe money to their cafeteria account. At the junior high, they can't get extra drinks or snacks, but they do get a complete school lunch.

That is a wonderful idea! I wish I could find a family who I could do that with!


I am in NJ and we do have programs in our schools that give free or reduced lunch and breakfast. I don't think some of these kids go to school? Maybe the parents are afraid that someone will find out about where they live or that they are filthy and try and take their kids away from them.

I didn't watch the show, wish I did.

I read one time that a homeless mother of 2 had met another mother at a playground and the mother asked her and her kids over for a playdate (not knowing she was homeless) and it was such a great day for the homeless kids to get to lay around and watch tv and have snacks. It broke my heart that we do that and don't think twice about it. I wish I could find a family who was having a rough time and help them out like that. I even contacted a local program and they never replied.

I think more people would help if they knew how to?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

Obviously you have never had to deal with any government programs. In order to qualify for WIC you have to be a child 5 or under and a pregnant or nursing mom. In some states you also have to have a medical reason, in most cases they will just say anemic just so they can get you on the program. Then you have to go to monthly appts. This can be hard if you don't have a car.

Food stamps are not meant to feed a family for a month. SO usually near the end of the month they are out of food.

Here to get free or reduced lunches at school you have to fill out a form and prove you are under the income guidelines. If you don't work it is very hard to prove you have no income!

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Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking

I would suggest contacting your local United Way Agency. I know where I go to donate things, they are funded thru the United Way. Also, wanted to add, toiletries are always a good thing to donate, since they cost so much, they really take away from a person's budget.

Also, you can always do an "anonymous" drop off. I learned this technique from a friend. You probably have seen a story in the paper about a family struggling, due to illness, fire, whatever. Well, look up there address (sometimes they list it right in the paper) and put together a few bags of things you think they can use, and put a copy of the article in your bags, and do a sort of "ring and run"

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

AMEN, you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

I couldn't help but cry as I watched 20/20 last Friday night. It just seems like those poor kids don't even have a chance.

Here is a page that I copied from the 20/20 website with links to several different organizations that tell you about how you can help in Camden, or anywhere else you wish.

If you would like to contribute to the Mayor's fund for needy people in Camden, please write to:

Camden Youth Enrichment Fund P.O. Box 2528, Camden, NJ 08101-9998


UrbanPromise: Urban Promise's mission is to equip Camden's children and young adults with the skills necessary for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and Christian leadership.

Boys & Girls Club of Camden County: The Boys & Girls Club of Camden County works to provide every child with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. Every day, the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County strives to improve each child's life by implementing self-esteem, courage, and positive values through all of the educational programs. Club members receive tutoring, computer training, sports education, homework help, and mentoring.

Camden County Youth Services Commission: The Camden City Youth Services Commission, a division of the Camden Center for Youth Development, Inc., is a partnership of youth-serving groups and organizations seeking to make a difference in the lives of Camden City children, youth and families.

Metro Camden Habitat For Humanity in Camden: Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity (MCHH) is a Christian housing ministry dedicated to partnering with deserving people in need of decent homes. Volunteer labor, cash and in-kind contributions and interest-free mortgages combine to make home ownership possible for families who could not otherwise afford to own their own home. These families earn their homes by working "sweat equity" alongside the volunteers. MCHH promotes community in the neighborhoods in which it works and provides education and support to help new homeowners succeed.

YMCA of Camden County: Together, the nation's 2,617 YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America, working to meet the health and human service needs of 20.2 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. YMCAs are at the heart of community life across the country: 42 million families and 72 million households are located within three miles of a YMCA.


NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

Boys & Girls Club of America: In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow — all while having fun. They are truly The Positive Place For Kids.

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. We have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country - including yours.

YMCA: Together, the nation's 2,617 YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America, working to meet the health and human service needs of 20.2 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. YMCAs are at the heart of community life across the country: 42 million families and 72 million households are located within three miles of a YMCA.

Sometimes it is difficult or impossible to get some of these benefits if you are homeless and don't have an address. The amount given in food stamps is no that great either-I have heard about some needy senior citizens getting like $30 or $40 a month in food stamps-that odes not buy much and in my area, more families have to use food banks and food kitchens, but donations to these places are going down, while the need is going up. The government puts you through so many hoops that some people prbably don't think that it's worth the aggravation-every little bit helps, but is the government intrusion worth it for such a small benefit? Sometimes people are so low and feel trapped that it is not as easy as you think to take the first step and many government workers in these benefit programs don't make it easy for people. I have always worked but when I was pregnant with the twins, I had to go on bedrest and could not work per doctor's orders. I was eligible for WIC and even though i was only supposed to go out only for doctor's appointments, they made me come in to the WIC office-I was going to send in all of the paperwork with my mother. It is the only time that I needed anything from the government and I am an woman who knew how thee system worked. I would not have bothered, but it was so helpful to get formula for the twins, extra milk, cereal, etc.(I did breastfeed too). Some people might not have bothered because of all of the red tape and aggravation-it happens a lot!

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Jocelyn



My babies are the joys of my life and keep me young:
The twins,Tatiana Gabrielle and William Joseph , 1/29/97, and baby boy, Jared Lawrence, 8/27/02.

The above poster is correct, in order to apply for public assistance, food stamps, etc. you must have an address, most times they require you to bring in a utility bill of some type to prove that you live at this address, the bill must be in your name. Yes, kids are eligible for free lunches if they meet the income requirements, that only takes care of the kids in school. What about the younger ones that are not in school yet, the kids that are home sick, etc. This is a terrible problem and yes it has been going on for years it is not a recent thing.