While millions of people worry now about the declining value of their 401k's and falling home prices, an increasing number of Americans are confronting much more basic concerns during this economic crisis. The lack of food, clothing and housing is their dilemma.
In Orlando, the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is seeing a 17-percent increase this year in families seeking shelter, a disturbing trend also reported in many other cities. The Coalition alone cares for nearly 200 homeless children a night, from infants to teenagers. As with their parents, who have fallen victim to job cuts, foreclosures and the lack of affordable housing and health care, these displaced children are often scared, angry and bewildered.
"We're seeing these kids in crisis," said Coalition president and CEO Brent Trotter. "Their parents aren't able to give them the nurturing attention they need, because the family is focused on the crisis of how to get a job, how to get out of this situation that we're in."
In reporting tonight's story about homeless children for NBC Nightly News, we met some really bright kids whose struggling parents feel awful about the situation where they now find themselves.
After Maria Dusen lost her job as a hotel maintenance supervisor, she bore the guilt of her daughter's shame at being teased at school for living at the homeless shelter. "It hurts her inside. She knows I'm trying, but at the same time she doesn't understand why I can't get a job, why I'm not able to provide for her," Dusen said.
Charles and Ty Mells, ages nine and eight, told us they wish they could go back to the apartment where they used to have their own space. Now their entire family lives in one crowded room at the Coalition, where the parents, who lost their jobs in the Orlando tourism service industry, are urging the children to try to understand. "They say that we're going through a tough time right now, so just help us out by doing the right things," said Charles.
Through day care, counseling and a Boys and Girls Club, the shelter tries to ease the children's fears and pain, as the number of new applicants continues to rise. "It's not good for the children, it's not good for the adults, we all need stability," said Vincenette Vivian, the day care center director.
In arguing that homelessness can be solved if the nation puts its mind to it, Trotter warned it's a crisis affecting more and more of us. "A lot of people are just one or two paychecks away from homelessness, themselves," Trotter said. "These are people in our community, and they could be your neighbor."
