Amy Matthews

Professor B.E. Walker

Educ 110

9/19/2017

Advocacy Project

After visiting the Children’s Defense Fund Website, the issue that first grabbed my

attention was childhood poverty. This is issue is significant to me because I feel that I can

personally relate to this. As I was growing up, my family and I faced many financial obstacles

that we continue to face to this day. However, I was fortunate enough to always have food in my

stomach, a roof over my head, and a great education and many children aren’t lucky enough to

have these simple needs met. Over 14.5 million children live in the poverty level and we have

many opportunities to help decrease that number, however we aren’t taking those steps that can

end child poverty. This doesn’t only affect this generation but generations to come. The

Children’s Defense Website states that, “poor children tend to become poor parents.” We must

begin to enact programs to eliminate childhood poverty to help the children of today and of the

future.
The Honorable Dan Moul

United States House of Representatives

Gettysburg, PA 17325

Dear Representative Dan Moul,

The legislation addressing childhood poverty in the state of Pennsylvania is of paramount

interest to me because I am a student of Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg

Campus, studying Early Childhood Education. This issue directly impacts my future profession

and the future students I would like to teach someday.

I am primarily concerned about the effects on children’s ability to be cognitively ready

and the harsh effects on the students’ cognitive performance. Children don’t have the access to

properly balanced diets or nutritious foods are susceptible to a variety of illnesses which cause

more absences in the classroom than other students, which forces them behind in school. The

amount of stress that falls on the shoulders of children that live in poverty-stricken families

seriously affects them socially and emotionally. If the parents or parent is stressed about health

care, housing, and food this will reflect in the child. Then this will manifest in the child’s

behavior in school, causing them to act out such as being more aggressive and talk back to

teachers.
 Other aspects of this issue that affect my generation and future generations is the effects

on the economy from poverty. Children that grow up in poverty are more likely to continue to

struggle through their lives. If these adults are unable to meet their full potential, they contribute

less to the economy.

I realize that part of your committee assignments focuses on children and youth.

Therefore, I look forward to your reply expressing your opinions, and your current stance on the

issue. Thank you for your consideration of my viewpoint on this matter. I believe it is a critical

issue, and would like to see the future steps taken by this nation to ensure it is resolved.

Sincerely,

Amy Matthews

141 West High Street Apt. 1

Gettysburg, PA 17325

alm78873@hawkmail.hacc.edu