I started this petition because I know what growing up poor means, and I don't want any more kids to experience what I went through. I was homeless, I was hungry--and sometimes, I felt hopeless.

I faced struggles no kid should, but I kept going and now I’m a freshman in college. After everything I’ve been through, I’ve realized that my voice has power. I'm using it to speak out for the 1 in 6 children still living in poverty in this country, and demand they get more attention in the upcoming presidential debates. That's why I'm sharing my story in the video below.

They've announced that CNN and the New York Times will host the next debate. Your voice has power too. Please share this petition with everyone you know so we can get our question into the debate and get answers about child poverty for the first time in 20 years.

Thank you for helping me prove to the whole country that ending child poverty should be a national priority.

- Israel