More people are affected by poverty than you may realize. Did you know that one child in nine is growing up poor in Ontario? Just having a job does not guarantee a livable income. When asked “What does poverty mean?”, here are some responses of Canadian children.
Poverty Is…
*Feeling ashamed when my dad can’t get a job
*Not getting to go to birthday parties
*Hearing my mom and dad fight over money
*Not getting a hotdog on hot dog day
*Pretending that you forgot your lunch
*Being afraid to tell your mom that you need gym shoes
*Not having breakfast sometimes
*Not having pretty barrettes for your hair
*Being teased for the way you are dressed
No child should need to define poverty.

My thanks to the social workers at Lakeridge Health for bringing this topic to the forefront.