Every night in the United States, children fall asleep in a home that’s not their own. Instead, their bed may be in a homeless shelter, in a car or, in some cases, the bushes. In fact, according to the Campaign to End Child Homelessness, one out of every 50 children – or 1.5 million children – is homeless in this country.
That’s 1.5 million children who go to bed at night without the comfort and security the rest of us take for granted.
On Monday night, HBO will spotlight this growing issue when it premieres Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County. In this gripping documentary, Alexandra Pelosi (yes, daughter of Nancy) follows 15 children and their families who are struggling to survive in one of the wealthiest counties in the country. Homeless focuses on the working poor – parents who put in a hard day’s work but can’t afford to rent or own their own homes, and instead, are forced to reside in week-to-week motels – and their children who continue to reach for the stars.
Said one mother on the Homeless website, “We’re survivors. The economy’s going down, but we’re not feeling it, because we are already on there.”
Tune in to HBO on Monday, July 26, at 8 p.m. to catch your first look at this heart-tugging documentary. In the meantime, to learn more about homelessness in our community and how you can assist those in need, check out one of the organizations below – just a handful of the nonprofits dedicated to helping the homeless in St. Louis.
By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Mardi Gras, geology, Black History Month, Groundhog Day and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
In its ongoing mission to educate and inspire curiosity in young learners, Edwardsville Children's Museum (ECM) is excited to celebrate the grand opening of its Discovery Garden Expansion. Following a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., the community is invited to explore three new exhibits that honor history, celebrate nature, and set the scene for non-stop fun.
Join in on First Art, a free art program for toddlers where the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!
Science Tots is designed for children ages 18 to 36 months. The class provides opportunities to support brain development and learning. Toddlers and their grown-ups will explore STEM topics through songs, stories, hands-on exploration and play.