Several years ago in my twenties, I volunteered for a mission trip to
Zimbabwe. The goal was to expand my horizon to other cultures and people
in need. Our team was charged with bringing essentials to this African
community and participate as camp counselors (Lasting Impressions) for a
low-income day camp for children. Having researched the culture and
economy with my team, I expected to see children with the bare minimum.
However, upon introduction my heart was instantly humbled by the hospitality
so freely given to us and, dare I say, the joy found even amid poverty. These
families made the best of their circumstances and did all they could to provide
a positive outlook for their children, despite the lack of resources. I came
home with a new sense of gratitude for my own living conditions, but still had
a sense of naivety of the far-reaching effects of child poverty in our own local
communities. In November 2018, the Los Angeles Times published a four-part
series on local child poverty ("Facing Child Poverty in L.A.") with some
astonishing facts, highlighting two schools – Telfair Elementary and Virgil
Middle school – with the most children classified as homeless in Los Angeles
(i.e. children and their families living in a car or converted garage). To think of
how many children fit the definition of "homeless," even in the rural areas of
California, is incomprehensible. Now many people, including myself, have had mixed feelings why families continue to extend their family numbers when
they lack the financial means to support them. Reporter Steve Lopez did an
incredible job addressing all aspects of the "Why." Judgements as to the
“who” or “why” this occurs ultimately will not help the true victims – the
children. For these children concentrating on academics is secondary to being
fed and clothed each day. Our public schools and communities have now
been put in the role of local “missionaries” to help provide the essentials so
that children can go to school and focus on academic achievement. Our
children are told and encouraged to dream big, go to school, learn and make
their dreams a reality. Instead students have become dependent on school for
meals, and at times clothing and basic medical attention. It is clear the
opportunities of homeless children/students are limited by their circumstances
and rest in the hands of the goodwill of our community. The effects of
homelessness and poverty may not always be spotlighted, but for the sake of
the children who are told to dream big, it should become the mission of
everyone to help these children rise above their circumstances. I have since
learned I do not have to travel to a third-world country to deliver essentials
and positivity to children. The problem is local and we as Angelenos can
assist by supporting our public-school personnel (e.g. teachers, social
workers, Head Start providers), particularly at Telfair Elementary and Virgil
Middle School.
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