Community 54:13 feels called to serve the working poor population of New Mexico for the following reasons. These are simply quick statistics, but give an accurate picture of the population we interact with on a daily basis.
· “A higher percentage of the foreign-born population falls between the ages of 25 and 44 than of the native-born population. The foreign-born population also participates in the state’s labor force in a slightly higher percentage than does the native-born.” (New Mexico Voices for Children, June 2008)
· “Because foreign-born workers skew toward low-wage occupations, they tend to have lower earnings as a group…they make up about 8 percent of New Mexico’s personal income.” (New Mexico Voices for Children, June 2008)
· Ranked as the 48th state in the US, 18 % of children live in Poverty (2008 KIDS COUNT National Fact Sheet)
· Ranked as the 46th state in the US, 32% of children live in a single-parent household (2008 KIDS COUNT National Fact Sheet)
· Ranked as the 48th state in the US 48% of Teens Not Attending School and Not Working (2008 KIDS COUNT National Fact Sheet)
· Ranked as the 49th state in the US, 62% Teen Birth Rates (2008 KIDS COUNT National Fact Sheet)
· Ranked as the 48th state in the US for overall well being of children and families (2008 KIDS COUNT National Fact Sheet)
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