Advocacy Project

Paragraph #1

I picked child poverty as my topic because the numerous, long-term damages that significant
malnourishment can have on the juvenile brain are devastating. My passion for children has played a big
role in my life and is a main reason I chose Early Childhood Education as my major. I have been learning
about how essential the early years of a child’s life are for building a strong, developmental foundation
to promote health, wellbeing, and academic success. Without the basic nutrition that a growing child
needs, the damage to physical and cognitive development during the first two years of a child’s life is
largely irreversible. (UNICEF Canada, n.d.) Looking past malnutrition, you will find many other
detrimental effects poverty can cause for children such as abuse and neglect, behavioral and
socioemotional problems, and increased exposure to violence. (American Psychological Association,
2009) My personal experience on this topic is largely made up of the three years I spent teaching in
Haiti. Being ranked as one of the poorest countries, it is no surprise that the effects of poverty were
evident in every town. While the people there are rich in cultural traditions, hospitality, and family
support, poverty weighs down on many of their everyday lives just as with many families in our own
community.

Paragraph #2

I will serve as an advocate in my community by spreading awareness to others in my

community—families, friends, co-workers, faith organizations and others—about the numbers of poor
children in my community and those who live in extreme poverty, and the harm poverty causes for
children. I will encourage them to be engaged in these issues as well. Children who are poor are more
likely to suffer hunger and homelessness. Attention to these problems has a documented positive effect
on reducing child poverty. By getting more children nutritious food, not only during the school year but
during the summer months, you can help reduce child poverty. Addressing homelessness and creating
more affordable housing are also important policy campaigns. (The Children’s Defense Fund, n.d., para.
2 & 3) I will continue to urge my community's elected officials to take steps to help more parents find
work and provide children’s basic necessities.

UNICEF Canada (n.d.) ​MALNUTRITION

https://www.unicef.ca/en/malnutrition#:~:text=Malnutrition%20in%20children%20is%20especially,res
u​ ​lt%20in%20future%20income%20reduction.

American Psychological Association (2009) ​Effects of Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness on Children and
​ ttps://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty
Youth h

​ ttps://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/
The Children’s Defense Fund (n.d.) ​Child Poverty h