When we think of homelessness, we often think of men and women on the streets, many times with a stereotype in mind. The thought of a family, even children, experiencing homelessness does not often come to mind. But it’s very common – more common than you might think. Around 1,300 of those experiencing homelessness in Atlanta every night are families. And experience tells us if these families don’t receive help, the children are impacted greatly for the rest of their lives.

As a result of stressful events, homeless children between the ages of 6 and 17 have very high rates of mental disorders compared to their peers. – Family Housing Fund

The impact of homelessness on children is huge. Many of these kids have overcome more in their lifetime than most adults. Homelessness is a form of trauma, and the effects are devastating. They span generations.

A few things that children experiencing homelessness experience:

1. Lower weight at birth and throughout infancy
2. Lack of essential immunizations
3. Significant developmental delays
4. Emotional and behavioral issues
5. Greater risk for health problems such as asthma
6. Low academic performance
7. Missed school days
8. Hunger and poor nutrition

That is just the beginning.

When kids arrive at Atlanta Mission – whether it’s with their mom, dad, grandparent, etc. – it’s often the first time they feel safe. We make every effort to make them feel loved and cared for. They have fun, make new friends, and experience a curriculum that inspires faith and learning. Our goal is to break the generational cycle. The kids that come into our facility just want to be loved.

Healing requires a long-term approach and transformation that starts with stability. When chaos can be replaced with love, safety, encouragement, and stability, young lives can change. It breaks the generational poverty and gives them a brighter future.

We would love your help in supporting the children here at Atlanta Mission. Here are a few different ways you can help.