This document summarizes poverty statistics in Kentucky. It finds that poverty rates are high, with a child born into poverty every 44 minutes. Over 60% of adults cannot be trained for modern jobs due to illiteracy. Low-income families struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, utilities, and healthcare. Poverty takes a toll on children's health and development. In some areas over 35% of families live below the poverty line. The elderly also struggle with fixed incomes. Poverty persists due to lack of education, job opportunities, and ability to build wealth.

1. Facts about Poverty in Kentucky

2. Every 44
minutes a
child is born
into poverty
in Kentucky.

3. Kentucky ranks
44th out of the 51
states and Puerto
Rico for the percent
of children who are
poor.

4. The Department
of Education
Estimates that
60% of adults
can not be
trained for
today’s jobs due
to illiteracy.

5. Fifteen percent of households in Northern Kentucky
are considered “food insecure.”
Food insecurity is the “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally
adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire
acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”

6. Low-income families pay more of their
income for basic necessities such as
housing and utilities.
The home energy burden for families
with incomes below 50% of the
poverty level is 43% of their annual
income—just to heat and light their
homes.
Even households with incomes up to
185% of the poverty level ($37,000 for
a family of four) have utility bills higher
than what is considered affordable.

7. Low-income families struggle with health care costs
Almost 30% of two-year-olds in Kentucky are not fully immunized. More
than 30% of non-elderly Kentuckians with incomes below 200% of the
Federal Poverty Level are uninsured.

8. Effects of poverty on children
Adverse health:
• Low birth weights
• Growth stunting
• Lead poisoning
• Asthma
• Recurrent ear infections
• Cognitive delays and
learning disabilities
• Teen pregnancies
• Hunger

9. In the Clay County Area 35.40% of families and
39.70% of the population live in poverty.
• The federal Poverty level for a
family of four is $23,050 .
• As of the most recent census,
the median income for a
household in the area was
$16,271.
• A single parent who works full
time making above minimum
wage could still be living below
the US poverty level.
• Although working full time,
Many find themselves unable
to pay for basic necessities for
themselves, their children and
family members.

10. Poverty also affects the elderly
• In Eastern Kentucky, one
in three elderly women
who live alone are in
poverty, often because
they outlive their
spouses.
• For the elderly and
disabled, life on a fixed
income can be one of
difficult choices, deciding
between medication,
food, or heating.

11. Economic opportunity has hindered Kentuckians from
being able to pull themselves out of poverty
• As the demand for high- • Workers without high-
tech jobs increases tech skills find
worldwide, Kentuckians themselves working low
without the ability to paying jobs that don't
afford higher education afford them the basics
and training find in life.
themselves further and
further out of place in
the digital divide.

12. Kentucky's lower-income working families often pay a
premium for goods and services, making it difficult for
them to build wealth, save for their children's futures,
and invest in their upward mobility

13. How can RLM help?
• Provide food to families in
need
• Provide clean drinking
water
• Provide clothing and other
necessities
• Provide a women’s health
clinic
• Provide a spiritual partner
to the community
• Provide educational
resources, such as GED
courses
• Provide drug and alcohol
recovery resources
• Share Christ with the
communities

14. How can I help RLM?
• Pray daily for the staff
• Send donations
– Click the Donate link to
the left
– Visit our wish list at
Amazon.com and search
for Red Letter Missions
• Volunteer your time
You can contact the staff by
clicking on the Contact link to
your left

15. We would like to thank the following:
Black and White Photos by: Color Photos by:
• William Gedney • Mario Tama
Photographs and Writings • http://mariotama.com/
• Duke University David M.
Rubenstein Rare Book &
Manuscript Library
Statistics information:
• http://library.duke.edu/digit
alcollections/gedney/ • www.communityactionky.com
Produced by RLM 2012