LEAN ON ME
STANDUP FOR KIDS TAKES ITS MESSAGE OF HOPE AND HELP TO THE STREETS
More than one million American children are homeless.
More than one million.
In America, a child runs away every minute.
Every minute.
It seems almost impossible to believe that in a country of such vast wealth and capability, there’s an entire population of children—hungry, cold, lonely, abused, sick, lost—that have essentially fallen
through the cracks of the system.
Enter STANDUP FOR KIDS, a national all-volunteer organization that is committed to helping homeless and street kids and at-risk youth. “We tell homeless and street kids that we care about them and go to the streets and prove it!” says Rick Koca, the organization’s CEO and founder.
Started in San Diego in January 1990 as an on-the-streets outreach program, STANDUP FOR KIDS is now in more than 35 cities in 20 states—and is still on the front lines, reaching out to any and all kids who need help. The organization endeavors to start programs in more cities while acting on a three-year national development plan to open up four regional offices, each with four trainers, in an effort to keep the training program at a national standard and to support the programs with quality structure and leadership. In addition to its comprehensive street outreach programs and centers and transitional living opportunities, STANDUP FOR KIDS has created the Don’t Run Away program. Aimed especially at third through eighth graders, this program empowers them to ask for help before they turn to the streets.
A reported 20 to 40 percent of homeless youth identify themselves as GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender/transsexual), and another 20 to 40 percent are failures of the foster care system. Koca tells us: “Children are not on the streets because they want to be. They see it as the best solution for their situation. We need to understand that most kids run away because they are being physically or sexually abused—and not necessarily from within their own homes, but in a lot of instances from within their church, extended family or community.” As such, it’s the organization’s mission to treat all aspects, causes and effects of childhood homelessness.
“We know that kids on the streets are not just homeless. They are lifeless. Hopeless. No family, no church, no community, no school and no neighbors. Basically, almost nothing that anyone could do to them can make their situation worse. Therefore, we go to the streets and help them put a ‘life’ together—food, clothes, hygiene products are just the beginning. We have picnics, go to movies, go sailing, and play football, baseball, and basketball games. Each day we ask: ‘If there is one thing we could do for you today, what would that be?’ Each day we meet them where they are and begin to help change that dynamic for them,” Koca says.
In its acclaimed tenure as a leading homeless children advocate and assistant, STANDUP FOR KIDS has helped thousands, including Brian, who says: “I can remember nights in my squat when I would be rolled up in a ball—and I had my thumb in my mouth. I would be crying and I could hear other kids crying, and I was praying that I could go to sleep and not wake up in the morning.” Brian is now off the streets and a STANDUP FOR KIDS trainer with two kids of his own.
How can you help?
| Drive |
Koca suggests doing everything from sock and food drives to collecting hygiene products from hotels and motels. |
| Cell it |
Join the Calling an End to Youth Homelessness! campaign by collecting old cell phones. The organization recycles them, buys new phones and gives them to street kids so they can get jobs. After you collect a box full, send an e-mail to cell@standupforkids.org and the organization will mail you a FedEx label to get the box picked up. |
| Text |
American Eagle will donate one item of clothing every time someone texts “karma” to 68405. This is accomplished through the RE*Generation program that Virgin Mobile USA has established to get new clothes into the hands of homeless and street kids. Go to www.virginmobileusa.com/regeneration for more information. |
| Take it to the schools |
“In 2007, we were successful in getting the U.S. Congress and Senate to pass a resolution making November National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. Everyone can do something. Education and awareness is of great importance. Schools can even have poster contests in support of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month,” Koca adds. |
For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, go to
www.standupforkids.org.
THE FAMILY GROOVE donates a percentage of its revenue to its featured Charity of the Month.
HOME | ABOUT TFG | CONTACT TFG | FREE TFG | ADVERTISE TFG | SHOP TFG | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS
