Support provided by:

Learn More

Documentaries

Articles

Podcasts

Topics

Business and Economy

Climate and Environment

Criminal Justice

Health

Immigration

Journalism Under Threat

Social Issues

U.S. Politics

War and Conflict

World

View All Topics

Documentaries

“Growing Up Poor: The American Dream Deferred” Virtual Event

September 1, 2020

FRONTLINE Presents

A Virtual Event

GROWING UP POOR IN AMERICA

Tuesday, September 15th at 2:00pm EST / 1:00pm CST

Many families across America were already struggling economically — and then the pandemic hit. Millions of Americans are now without jobs, according to the US Department of Labor, with one-time stimulus checks and food stamps unable to cover the cost of living. Among those feeling the greatest impact: their children.  Join FRONTLINE and Chasing the Dream for a virtual event discussion on the current state of child poverty in the U.S., against the backdrop of the effects of the coronavirus and increasing racial tensions. 

The new FRONTLINE film Growing Up Poor in America, follows three children in the battleground state of Ohio as they navigate poverty, homelessness and renewed racial tensions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will feature clips from the film, and insights from filmmaker Jezza Neumann (director of Poor Kids), as well as academic and non-profit thought leaders, who will address the daily difficulties that families face, the role of public and social policies, and consider solutions for a more equitable future on the eve of the 2020 election.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Jezza Neumann: Film Director, Growing Up Poor in America Kelly Hatas: Executive Director, HAPCAP (Hocking Athens Perry Community Action) Dr. Tracy Najera: Executive Director, Children’s Defense Fund – OHIO Denise Hill: Child/Parent Coordinator, Bethany House

Moderated by Dr. Dolores Acevedo-Garcia: Director, Institute for Child, Youth and Family Policy, Brandeis University

Watch the premier of Growing Up Poor in America — tune in or stream on Tuesday, September 8th. Check your local PBS station listings. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9uKZsgRPIw

Latest Documentaries

Born Poor

1h 24m

Get our Newsletter

Thank you! Your subscription request has been received.

Stay Connected

Explore

FRONTLINE Journalism Fund

Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation

Koo and Patricia Yuen

FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. Web Site Copyright ©1995-2025 WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; Park Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen. FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. Web Site Copyright ©1995-2025 WGBH Educational Foundation. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

PBS logo
Corporation for Public Broadcasting logo
Abrams Foundation logo
PARK Foundation logo
MacArthur Foundation logo
Heising-Simons Foundation logo