Jonathan and I have lived in Dallas for 7 years and four months. We have come to love this city and think of it as home. We moved here as a couple of DINK's (double income no kids), and we are moving away from here as a family of five. Crazy.
We have fallen in love with Children since we've lived here. Not just our own, but also the ones we've ministered to (and who truly, have ministered to us). Indeed, the Lord has given us a new heart to love and encourage the smallest members (and sometimes most overlooked) in the family of God.
This week a report, published by the Children's Medical Center Dallas and The Coalition for North Texas Children, landed on my husbands desk at work. It's titled: Beyond ABC: Growing up in Dallas County. It is an 85 page report that details every aspect of growing up in Dallas. It includes details regarding Health, Economic Security, Education, and Safety.
Page 5 of the report gives a Summary of what the researchers consider the "Most Pressing Problems in Dallas County." Some examples:
More than 30,000 children have a serious mental or addictive disorder, and thousands go untreated.
Nearly half of DISD high school students report recent use of alcohol, 20 percent report recent use of marijuana.
More than 5,300 cases of sexually transmitted diseases were reported among young people under 19.
More than half of homeless people are women or children.
And estimated 30,000 Dallas County children experience hunger because of inadequate family resources.
More than 40 percent of students in the ninth grade do not remain enrolled in school through the 12th grade.
That is just a small sampling of the most pressing problems in Dallas County. That last statement blows me away. FORTY percent of ninth graders don't make it to twelfth grade? What is happening to those children? Why is this happening?
I am not sure why I feel compelled to share this information. Perhaps it is because I am prayerful that the seeds of God's word that we planted in kids while in Dallas will take deep root, and I hope you will join with me in that prayer. We are also hopeful that more and more people would begin to recognize the need all around them, and begin to invest themselves in the life of a child. How can kids maneuver through life without becoming a statistic? By the power of God. And by loving adults who will get to know children, and see the beauty in them.
I'm Starr Cliff. A domestically-challenged mom, climbing over mountains of laundry to bring you my stray observations and amusing stories about my kids. (more)
I also blog at:
- Trinity Kidsplace
- Cash Clan Japan
- detailgal
- Jonathan Cliff
- Sipping Chardonnay
- Teach and Tickle
- if the shoe fits?
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