It is hard to imagine a child growing up in our community with little or no hope for a bright future. Unfortunately, we know that living in poverty can destroy hope in the hearts of children.

United Way of Greater Fort Dodge believes that one of the worst things about childhood poverty is the slow acceptance that there is no way out and that there is nothing they can do to change or break from the hopelessness of being poor. Those who live in poverty often experience high rates of chronic and acute health problems, depression and mental illness, hunger, homelessness, low self-esteem and abuse. These toxic stressors for children and adolescents often lead to lasting impacts on their learning, positive social development and personal well-being.

In Fort Dodge, 25 percent of our youth live in households that are at the poverty level or very close to it. Children living in poverty struggle just to meet their most basic needs for decent housing, food, clothing, safety, access to health care and transportation. United Way’s main goal is to help lift these children up and give them hope for a brighter future.

When children are offered a helping hand they get the message that someone cares and thinks they are worth it. This internal feeling helps them gain confidence in themselves and the motivation to succeed and get excited about proving what they can do and how far they can go.

We know that when we help a child break out of the legacy of poverty, we tackle one of the worst things about childhood poverty — hopelessness. The small spark of hope and happiness within the spirit of a child can make all the difference in the world.

United Way believes that a community of friends working together can make a real difference in impacting young lives and helping them overcome the horrific social ills of poverty. Donations to the United Way from caring citizens are used effectively to touch the lives of hundreds of youths in life-changing ways.

Donations to United Way can be made payable to United Way of Greater Fort Dodge, 24 N. Ninth St., Fort Dodge, IA 50501.

For more information on United Way, call us at (515) 573-3179, email us a rk@fd-foundation.org, check out our website at www.unitedwayfd.org or stop in our office in downtown Fort Dodge.

You never know how your support might help a child feel a sense of hope for a bright future.

Randy Kuhlman is the chief executive officer of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.