THIRTEEN MILLION KIDS, one out of every six American children, live below the poverty line. No matter what people want to believe, kids still go to bed hungry in America. Yet there is one place where conversations about poverty are not happening: in our nation’s schools. In fact, the word poverty doesn’t appear in most state content standards, and a comprehensive curriculum on the topic does not exist. We aim to change that.

Under the direction of Manasa Reddy, a high school senior and activist from Ohio, we are planning several specific initiatives and are seeking ideas for others:

1. To encourage solution-based initiatives, AmericanPoverty.org will help organize school chapters, to be run along the lines of the Foreign Language Club or the Chess Club, with meetings after school. These chapters could undertake fund-raising campaigns, service projects, or perhaps adopt a specific local or regional anti-povertive initiative

2. For young journalists, photographers and filmmakers: AmericanPoverty.org is planning to sponsor regional and national competitions for documentary work on the subject of poverty, both on the need for poverty alleviation and on efforts that young people are undertaking to help. Winning entries will be awarded prizes, media recognition, and will be published on our website.

3. Provide creative and valuable opportunities for students to fulfill a portion of their school community service requirements. Student contributions will also be recognized on AmericanPoverty.org’s web site.

4. Provide opportunities for students from different school districts to interact in meaningful ways with one another. Possibilities include student newspaper alliances, student forums and joint efforts to plan and execute projects aimed at learning from one another and improving communities.

Prototype chapters are being organized by students in San Antonio, TX, Tuscon, AZ, Ganesville, FL and Long Island, NY. Other schools will be added in the near future. Watch this page for developments and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Specific questions and suggestions can be addressed to Manasa Reddy at manasa@americanpoverty.org