Article written by: Steffen Reals
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Children in Arkansas and Mississippi are amongst the nation’s most underprivileged, with Tennessee kids not far behind, according to a new study by WalletHub. As a response, Memphis organizations are working to support Mid-South kids.
“[Building] a better Memphis starts with working with the youth of Memphis,” said Kevin Windsor, Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM) Interim CEO.
Since 1998, leaders at MAM have tried to offer families in the Bluff City a hand in life, with free access to sports, meals, and access to after school care, as some families may not be able to afford otherwise.
“So they see there are other options out there aside from potentially turning to crime or not graduating high school,” said Windsor.
This goal, however, can be harder for some to overcome than others. A WalletHub study highlighted the difficulty many children face across the country, and Tennessee children ranked the 19th most underprivileged compared to other states.
Overall Tennessee sees:
- 12th Greatest percentage of children in households with below-poverty income
- 25th Highest child food-insecurity rate
- 19th Greatest percentage of uninsured children
- 16th Highest infant mortality rate
- 18th Greatest percentage of children in foster care
- 15th Greatest percentage of children in single-parent families
- 22nd Highest child & youth homeless rate
But when it comes to the rest of it’s Mid-South counterparts, Christie Matherne with WalletHub says these issues are not exclusive to just Tennessee.
“West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas are all in the top ten,” said Matherne, “There is a lot of poverty…the public school system quality is low and a lot of kids don’t graduate high school.”
Experts have said these conditions have led to issues in the development of a child’s cognitive functions.
“If you can’t write, it’s hard for you to have food, it’s hard for you to get a job,” said Ephie Johnson, Neighborhood Christian Centers Inc. President & CEO, “I think a lot of these things have caught up with us.”
Since 1978, Johnson’s parents and the Neighborhood Christian Centers have worked to address issues facing Memphis families directly. Roughly 25,000 people a year go to the non-profit to seek some form of stability, whether it is through NCC’s food, clothing or assistance programs, while the non-profit also uses other activities to help improve a child’s future by getting them into things like reading.
“We’re working to find any way we can to open the minds and the eyes of those potential strong readers,” said Johnson.
If you are looking to get involved, Johnson and Windsor say there are a number of Memphis/Shelby county non-profits looking for donations or volunteers. For a list of non-profits you can follow this link.
