Poverty In New York City

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New York City is claimed to be one of the greatest cities in the world. Many are blinded by the breathtaking skyline, the endless opportunities, and the hustle and bustle of the streets. As one of the economic capitals of the world, it is surprising to hear that about 30 percent of children currently residing in New York City are living in poverty (Cheney). New York City has evolved into a city for the wealthy by eliminating inexpensive housing and jobs, forcing many families to the streets (Elliot). Many are unaware of how prevalent child poverty is. To raise awareness, the New York Times did a series of articles that followed the life of a young girl named Dasani. The article highlights the brilliance that Dasani had at such a young age and emphasizes the everyday struggles that she had to face growing up as a child in poverty. Some ways that can lower the amount of child poverty is through after school programming and through work-for-rent housing.
Auburn Family Residence is the homeless shelter that Dasani and her family live in. Her family of seven lives in one small room with few beds and no privacy. On several occasions, city and state inspectors had nearly deemed the shelter uninhabitable. Sexual
McKinney Secondary School of Arts is Dasani’s outlet. It is here that she is able to express herself and forget about everything for a while. The school has the basic necessities, most of which is donated. The teachers are very aware of the home life that many of these kids have and do their best to make educating them fun and that they feel supported. Instead of calling home as a disciplinary action, Principal Paula Holmes makes deals with the kids. If they start behaving better, she does not call home and this method usually works. Calling home could result in a physical punishment for the kids. The faculty do their best to provide the children with a safe learning environment. The faculty is some of the only guidance these children have.

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