Facts about Poverty in Kentucky

Every 44 minutes a

child is born into poverty in Kentucky.

Kentucky ranks 44th out of the 51 states and Puerto

Rico for the percent of children who are

poor.

The Department of EducationEstimates that 60% of adults can not be trained for today’s jobs due to illiteracy.

Fifteen percent of households in Northern Kentucky are considered “food insecure.”

Food insecurity is the “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire

acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”

Low-income families pay more of their income for basic necessities such as housing and utilities.

The home energy burden for families with incomes below 50% of the poverty level is 43% of their annual income—just to heat and light their homes.

Even households with incomes up to 185% of the poverty level ($37,000 for a family of four) have utility bills higher than what is considered affordable.

Low-income families struggle with health care costs

Almost 30% of two-year-olds in Kentucky are not fully immunized. More than 30% of non-elderly Kentuckians with incomes below 200% of the

Federal Poverty Level are uninsured.

Effects of poverty on children

Adverse health:

• Low birth weights

• Growth stunting

• Lead poisoning

• Asthma

• Recurrent ear infections

• Cognitive delays and learning disabilities

• Teen pregnancies

• Hunger

In the Clay County Area 35.40% of families and 39.70% of the population live in poverty.

• The federal Poverty level for a family of four is $23,050 .

• As of the most recent census, the median income for a household in the area was $16,271.

• A single parent who works full time making above minimum wage could still be living below the US poverty level.

• Although working full time, Many find themselves unable to pay for basic necessities for themselves, their children and family members.

Poverty also affects the elderly

• In Eastern Kentucky, one in three elderly women who live alone are in poverty, often because they outlive their spouses.

• For the elderly and disabled, life on a fixed income can be one of difficult choices, deciding between medication, food, or heating.

Economic opportunity has hindered Kentuckians from being able to pull themselves out of poverty

• As the demand for high-tech jobs increases worldwide, Kentuckians without the ability to afford higher education and training find themselves further and further out of place in the digital divide.

• Workers without high-tech skills find themselves working low paying jobs that don't afford them the basics in life.

Kentucky's lower-income working families often pay a premium for goods and services, making it difficult for them to build wealth, save for their children's futures,

and invest in their upward mobility

How can RLM help?• Provide food to families in

need

• Provide clean drinking water

• Provide clothing and other necessities

• Provide a women’s health clinic

• Provide a spiritual partner to the community

• Provide educational resources, such as GED courses

• Provide drug and alcohol recovery resources

• Share Christ with the communities

How can I help RLM?

• Pray daily for the staff

• Send donations

– Click the Donate link to the left

– Visit our wish list at Amazon.com and search for Red Letter Missions

• Volunteer your timeYou can contact the staff by

clicking on the Contact link to your left

We would like to thank the following:

Black and White Photos by:

• William Gedney Photographs and Writings

• Duke University David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library

• http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/gedney/

Color Photos by:

• Mario Tama

• http://mariotama.com/

Statistics information:

• www.communityactionky.com

Produced by RLM 2012