Help Save Children in the United States

Millions of poor and marginalized children in America do not get a fair chance to succeed in life because of where they’re growing up. In nearly every state, there are stark disparities among the experiences and opportunities for children – with pockets of promise and great disadvantage.

Data from Save the Children’s 2021 U.S. Complement to the Global Childhood Report shows that children who are poor, live in rural areas and communities of color are more likely to go hungry and lack access to remote learning tools – as well as have families struggling to pay bills.

Far too many children in America are facing unrelenting disadvantages that are devastatingly compounded by COVID, and urgent action must be taken to ensure they have the childhoods they deserve.

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The Challenges for Children in the United States

Sadly, today, the U.S. continues to lag behind most peer countries in meeting the needs of children and families during the pandemic. States where children are faring best are not necessarily the ones with the lowest COVID infection rates, but rather those with resources and protections in place for children and families.

Map of best and worst places to be a child in the U.S.

Best states for kids during Covid-19

Minnesota
Utah
Washington
New Hampshire

worst states for kids during covid-19

Louisiana
Mississippi
Texas
New Mexico

Closing the Childhood Equity Gap for Kids in America

Families are suffering in every state and at every income level, but the poorest families are struggling the most. 

A girl stands in a hallway with a hand-drawn face mask covering her mouth and nose.
  • Hunger in households with children is up by almost two-thirds
  • At least 1 in 4 children does not always have the tools they need for distance learning
  • Nationwide, two-thirds of U.S. families are having difficulty making ends meet
  • Children in Black and Hispanic families are twice as likely as white children to face hunger
  • 3 in 5 adults in households with children reported symptoms of depression

Our Results for Children in America

Thanks to giving people like you, our work for children in the United States is making a difference. Last year, we changed the lives of over 328,000 children.
 
  • 42,000 children lifted from poverty
  • 9,000 children healthy and nourished
  • 260,000 children education and empowered
  • 89,000 children protected from harm
  • 241,000 children aided in crisis

Our Work for Children in America

Since 1932, Save the Children has been on the ground providing support to the most isolated and underserved children in rural America. From our earliest days in Appalachia – helping children and families hardest-hit by the Great Depression – to today, our U.S. team goes where others cannot. 

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we are the leading organization in rural America’s poorest communities equipping parents and caregivers with the skills they need to be their child’s first and best teacher. Plus, our teams are there before, during and after U.S. emergencies. We’ve been on the front lines meeting children’s most critical needs in every major U.S. disaster since Hurricane Katrina.

Together with Save the Children Action Network, Save the Children is a leading advocate for children, ensuring their voices are heard and their best interests are prioritized. We fill critical gaps in services and deliver scalable solutions to the challenges children face.  

Our sponsorship program gives a child growing up in need in America the opportunity for a brighter future. Sponsorship directly benefits a sponsored child’s community, ensuring access to quality education and the opportunity to grow in a nurturing environment. 

A smiling pre-school student clutches a book to her chest at the Early Steps for School Success program (ESSS) in Barnwell, South Carolina: Photo credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children, October 2014.
Education
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Working across rural America, our education experts help children get ready for kindergarten and achieve the critical reading and math milestones.
Anthony, 7 at home in New York. Anthony participates in the Save the Children-funded Journey of Hope program, an 8-week program that helps children with their emotional recovery after disasters like Superstorm Sandy that deeply affected his coastal community. Photo credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children, August 2013.
Social and Emotional Learning Programs
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Whether coping with the devastation of a disaster or facing long-term impacts of growing up in poverty, Save the Children's social and emotional development programs help kids cope and build resiliency.
Save the Children Advocate Kelly Walker, at the 2017 Save the Children Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC. Photo credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children, March 2017.
Advocacy
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From our first days fighting for children’s rights to today, advocacy is central to Save the Children’s work. In 2014, we founded Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), our political advocacy arm, to work with our nation’s leaders at all levels to expand early childhood education in the U.S., protect the world’s children living in conflict and much more.
A young girl stands behind a white fence, her face obscured from view.
U.S.-Mexico Border
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Egregious policies of the previous administration have specifically targeted children and families seeking refuge. We have witnessed harmful federal government actions, such as separating children from their families, in order to frighten and deter fellow migrants and asylum seekers.

Coronavirus & Kids: Resources from Save the Children

You’re not alone. As the world’s leading expert on childhood, we’re providing parents, schools and communities with tools and tips you can trust about coronavirus (COVID-19) and kids. Together, we’re doing whatever it takes to protect our children.

 

Start here

How to Help Children in America

6-year-old Lillian stands in front of the school bus. She is enrolled in both in-school literacy and afterschool programs in Kentucky, thanks to sponsorship. Photo credit: Victoria Zegler/Save the Children, March 2017.

Donate
Support Save the Children’s mission. Donate to help children living in poverty in the U.S. and around the world survive and thrive.

7-year-old Stephanie flips through the pages of a book during one of Save the Children’s after-school programs in Central Valley, California. The program gives students opportunities to strengthen their literacy skills, get support with homework and participate in physical activities that combine fitness and fun. Photo credit: Tamar Levine/Save the Children, November 2017.

Sponsor a Child in the United States
Become someone very special in the life of a child - and you just might find it changes you, too.

A smiling pre-school student clutches a book to her chest at the Early Steps for School Success program (ESSS) in Barnwell, South Carolina: Photo credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children, October 2014.

Browse the Gift Catalog
Give a unique a meaningful gift that will bring joy – and change lives. Find something for everyone on your list.

Sources: *Unless otherwise noted, facts and statistics have been sourced from Save the Children’s monitoring and evaluation experts and from the 2021 U.S. Complement to the Global Childhood Report. 

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