By Danny Minton
In the middle of the 19^th century, New York City was facing the problem of thousands of homeless and poor children living on the streets. The influx of immigrants added to the overburdened situation along with a time of depression and financial panic of the time. Disease and the Civil War would add to the burden, adding more children to the streets. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of cheap housing added thousands more to the situation. No well-designed social programs were available to help the children, and the problem only grew. A minister, Charles Loring Brace, decided that this was unacceptable care for the needs of the children. Brace suggested sending the children out west where families could take them in and help raise them. The “Orphan Train Movement” was born. Between 1854 and 1929, 200,000-300,000 children would be sent on trains to places in the Midwest and offered to families. To some, they would be like farmhands and servants. There would be cases of maltreatment and abuse. Many would go through several homes until placed in one that would give them a stable life. As adults, many looked back with a thankful heart for the family they found. Others carried bitterness for being in undesirable situations. 

Through no fault of their own, the children were thrown into situations with little choice and no control. Later, a “Baby Movement” would be established, with people choosing children like ordering from a catalog. For many, there was no permanency. If a family didn’t want them anymore, they’d contact their sponsor and ask for their removal. One story relates that a young boy was sent back because he stuck his finger in the jelly jars in the basement. Life for many children was a sad existence with a hard life, living with strangers and not knowing or being able to control what would happen to them.

It’s sad to know so many children went through the “Orphan Train” movement. To realize they struggled just wanting to survive is heartwrenching. The reality is that today is not much better in our country. There are more social services and better programs for helping children, but human resources fall short. According to current statistics, there are approximately 2.5 million children who are homeless annually in the U.S. The same sources proclaim that “on any given day, there are approximately 443,000 children in foster care in the United States.” (schoolonwheels.org/homelessness-in-America) Other sources make much higher estimates. The National Children’s Alliance estimates that more than 600,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect yearly in the U.S. No Kid Hungry estimates that 13 million children live in “food insecure” homes. 

Children should never have to go through their childhood in these situations. For them to be there robs them of the joys of being a child. Too many of us stand by and say something should be done, but many offer nothing but words of disgust and complain that more should be done to help them. At the same time, we sit in the comfort of our homes and blessings, giving little thought to the many “little ones” in need.

Mark records an incident where people brought their children to Jesus to be blessed. In the story, we see the love that Jesus had for children. “ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ‘Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them..” Mark 10:13-16  (NIV2011) 

As Christians, we should heed Jesus’s acts, encouraging us to care for innocent children. I have no idea what your New Year’s Resolutions are for this year or if you even made any. Either way, I encourage you to commit to improving life for the needy children in your community. Programs like CASA, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Street Kid programs are a few for which you can volunteer. Churches can get involved in the summer lunch programs for children and families. They can reach out to their surrounding community and actively open their eyes to the needs of children and families. Look for ways to meet the needs of the children, advocate for them, stand up for them, and, most of all, show them they have someone who cares.

Voices, however meaningfully spoken, do not solve the problems of needy children. It takes the hands of love to reach out and touch them. It takes people being Jesus, not just talking about Him. Children in need only know they are loved and cared for by the presence of the arms of Jesus embracing them. “And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” 

No matter how we help children in need, we become the hands and arms of Jesus each time we reach out to them. 

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ