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Reaching children in need across the USA.

Child Poverty in America

One in five American children lives in poverty—that’s 16 million kids who understand all too well what it means to go without.

What does “go without” mean in America? For the children we serve in rural America, going without can mean no access to things many take for granted. 

Simple things like books, healthy foods, and places to play and exercise. And not so simple things, like knowing there will be food on the table at all, a safe place to sleep at night, or just the comfort and hope that comes from being able to see a future outside of poverty.

At Save the Children, we believe all children deserve a fair chance at a bright future.

Investing in America’s Future… One Child at a Time

Save the Children's dedicated U.S. Programs staff work in America’s poorest and most remote areas to break the cycle of poverty. In states across the country, from the foothills of Kentucky to the deserts of Arizona, our successful and proven programs are making a difference the lives of underserved, and often forgotten, children.

During the 2010-2011 school year, Save the Children’sEarly Childhood Education, Literacy, Physical Activity and Nutrition and Emergency Response programs benefited more than 141,000 children, families, and caregivers.

We help kids get the resources they need—access to a quality education, healthy foods and opportunities to grow up in a nurturing environment.  And when disasters strike, Save the Children is among the first on the ground keeping children from harm and we stay on helping communities rebuild child care, playgrounds and much more.

Learn more about:

• Early Childhood Education
• Literacy: Helping Kids Learn to Read
• Healthy Eating and Exercise
• Disaster Relief in America

How You Can Help

Facts About Growing Up Poor in the U.S.

1. Four-year-olds from families affected by poverty are 18 months behind other 4-year-olds developmentally.
2. Every year, 67 million children spend up to 2,000 hours in American schools and child care facilities on any given weekday.
3. In poor communities, there is an average of 1 book per 300 kids.  
4. In rural communities, 52% of children are overweight and obese.

What Save the Children is Doing to Help Americans

1. Since 2005, Save the Children’s Domestic Emergency Unit has supported disaster readiness, response and recovery for nearly 400,000 children, and their families and caregivers. We work at the local, state and national levels to influence policies that impact children and their families and ensure laws are in place to protect them.
2. Last year, 5,012 children and families in 12 states benefited from our Early Steps to School Success program.
3. Last year, our school-age literacy program served 59,000 children in 13 states.
4. Our Physical Activity and Nutrition programs, last year, benefited 12,899 children in 11 states.