Some of our client families’ characteristics include…
Family type: Nearly 100% of client families are single-parent households and 90% of those caregivers are women. Often caregivers are not the child’s biological parent, rather a grandmother, aunt, or unrelated caregiver. The average Family Center client has three children.
Income: More than 96% of clients live below the federal poverty threshold, which for a family of four in 2020 is a mere $26,200 a year in annual income. This leaves our clients with less than $500 a week to keep their children fed, clothed, sheltered, etc. -all in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
FAMILY CENTER CLIENTS FACE MANY CHALLENGES BUT HAVE MANY STRENGTHS!
Race: Our racial demographic breakdown is 48% African-American, 46% Latino, and 6% Caucasian, Asian, or of a mixed racial background.
Geography: All clients reside in one of New York City’s five boroughs. 58% live in Brooklyn, 18% in the Bronx, 11% reside in both Manhattan and Queens, 2% are in Staten Island.
Illness: Of clients affected by illness, 34% are impacted by HIV, 8% are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, and 21% are faced with a mental health challenge. The remainder of client families have already lost a parent (11%) or are faced with a crisis like a substance use disorder that puts their children at risk (26%).
