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These are unprecedented times for many families. For the past three to four months we have experienced a significant increase in requests for services and many of these calls are from people who have never needed our help in the past. The current economic downturn has wreaked havoc for so many.
After all, how many of us are just a few paychecks away from being in a financial crisis? How prepared are most people to take care of their family when they are laid off from work, are unexpectedly faced with eviction/foreclosure, or lose their health insurance while also trying to put food on the table? These circumstances are crippling many families in our community each and every day.
In August 2008, the Federal Poverty Report was released and indicated that one in nine Connecticut children were identified as living in poverty. These numbers were released before our national and state economic downturn, so we know these numbers are growing. Economic distress is also causing some families to temporarily send their children to extended family members while they look for a new place to live. Imagine having to break up or separate your family as you try to figure out how to get through this crisis.
Other trends we are seeing in our community include a significant increase in requests for counseling services. Many are reporting high levels of depression, extreme anxiety and parents worried about the increased anger outbursts from their children both at home and in school. Unfortunately, we have also seen a significant increase in family violence. Unemployment, lack of resources and acute periods of stress can also lead to child abuse and neglect.
I believe many people are starting to see economic insecurity through a different lens. It is our family and friends who are struggling to make ends meet and who are in crisis each and every day trying to provide for their families. So it is "now more than ever" when children and families, living in our community, are reaching out for help. Our agency is working hard to find ways to help them either through direct services and/or making referrals to additional resources to meet their basic needs.
So it is "now more than ever" that we can use your support to help us respond to this sudden, increased demand for our services. Many people have no ability to pay for the support they need to help them get through this current crisis. Our agency has always taken the position that we will not turn people away for an inability to pay when they are asking for help.
We can all play an important role in finding ways to be a part of the solution for children and families living right here in our community. Together we can, and do make a difference, in the lives of many. Please consider making a donation to help us meet the needs of our neighbors, friends and family reaching out to us for help.
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