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Every child is a beloved child of God.
But, we don't treat them that way. In the United States:
 Over 12 million children -- one child of
every six -- are poor. (Almost three out of four poor children live in working families.)
Each a child of God... living in poverty.
Over nine million children -- almost one in every eight children -- lack
health insurance. (Most of them also live in working families.) These children
are no less likely to get sick but are far less likely to see a doctor. Each a
child of God... without needed health care.
Thirteen million
children live in families not getting enough to eat. Each a child of
God... going hungry.
Quality child care and early childhood
education are unavailable or unaffordable for millions of children. Too many
children enter school not ready to learn and too many schools do not expect or
enable children to achieve. Each a child of God...without the nurturing they need.
Every year, almost 900,000 children are confirmed as victims of child
abuse and neglect, and more than three times as many are reported as suspected
victims of abuse and neglect. Each a child of God... hurt and neglected.
More than six million children are home alone after school each week,
where they are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking, sex,
or crime. Each a child of God... alone and at risk.
An
average of
eight children a day are killed by gunfire in our
country. Each a child of God... killed by a bullet.
It's time to start treating every single
child like a child of God, assuring every child the justice and love they deserve,
so
that we leave no child behind.
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