- 01.29.10
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- 06:41pm
Organization Description
StandUp For Kids is a national non-profit charitable organization founded in 1990 by Richard L. Koca. For retired U.S. Navy Officer Koca, StandUp For Kids was a natural extension of his ongoing outreach efforts. Koca was inspired to begin outreach in 1987 when he saw a CBS broadcast of 48 Hours that documented street kids in San Diego, California. He was so disturbed by the news report that when he arrived in San Diego he immediately began walking the streets to identify homeless teens and help them in any way possible. Koca helped kids into shelters, gave them someone to confide in, and eventually turned his personal mission to help street kids into a nationwide organization.
StandUp For Kids has established 43 programs in more than 20 states. Local programs are run almost entirely by volunteers and the organization employs a small office staff in Atlanta, Georgia. The national office staff manages the daily operations of StandUp For Kids such as bookkeeping, marketing materials, national funding and a variety of other tasks.
Volunteers fill a variety of positions, from outreach counselors to Executive Director (or Co-Executive Directors) and other leadership roles. Since 1990, StandUp For Kids volunteers have performed almost a million hours of community service, conducted more than 100,000 counseling sessions, and provided more than 1,000,000 meals to homeless and street kids and at-risk youth!
StandUp For Kids helps homeless and at-risk youths age 21 and younger. Everyday homeless youth face obstacles that most of us cannot comprehend. Where will I have my next meal? When can I shower? Where will I sleep tonight? StandUp For Kids helps homeless youth tackle some of their everyday obstacles and work towards a life off the streets. From basic necessities such as food, clothing, and hygiene to resources for housing, employment, and education, StandUp For Kids counselors use an open, straightforward and caring counseling approach to help kids reach their full potential.
StandUp For Kids supplies basic necessities such as food, clothing, and personal hygiene, in addition to a wide array of services, including assistance with housing, education, vocational development, counseling, health and medical services, transportation, and legal assistance. Laundry services, hot meals, mail and message services are also available in our programs that operate an Outreach Center. An Outreach Center is a safe place where homeless youth and street kids can relax for a few hours. Services vary by program but generally an Outreach Center offers laundry facilities, showers, counseling, computer/internet use, etc.
In addition to Street Outreach and Outreach Center services, volunteers conduct life-skills training classes for kids who graduate to the StandUp For Kids Apartment Support Program. These classes cover topics such as budgeting, banking, apartment cleanliness and safety, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, nutrition, and other topics important in maintaining a safe and comfortable home.
StandUp For Kids also developed the Don’t Run Away Program which targets youth at risk for running away. The Don’t Run Away Program is used to educate elementary and junior high students on the different resources and options available to remove themselves from abusive situations and deter them from running away. The Don’t Run Away Program is developing within established StandUp For Kids programs and extends to local clubs at high schools and universities across America.
(More)StandUp For Kids Updates
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This winter, thousands of homeless teens across the country will face harsh weather and starvation. Get the facts on this rising demographic.
- 01.19.10
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- 11:00am
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- Read More
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America is home to 1.3 million homeless children, over 12,000 of them just in the Venice area of Los Angeles. Let's take responsibility and fix this problem.
- 11.12.09
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- 04:26pm
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- Read More
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Children make up 27% of the U.S. homeless population. November is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month -- time to reverse this troubling trend.
- 11.01.09
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- 06:45pm
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- Read More
StandUp For Kids Blog
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A homeless teenage boy sleeps with a group of squatters under a bridge. In the dark, under a cold indifferent sky, the boy cries quietly while sucking his thumb.
The image of this teenage boy st...
- Posted on 10.19.09
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- 0 Comments
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Photo Gallery
Supported Events
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Looking for a way to raise money for a cause by simply knocking a few back with friends and co-workers? We've got you covered.
- Nov. 10th, 2009
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- 07:00pm
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STREET COUNSELOR National statistics report the number of homeless kids at over 1.5 million. Over 500 thousand are under the age of 15. As volunteer counselors, we go out onto streets and try to reach these kids WISHLIST Donations in-kind are happily accepted. We are always in need of items.
- Jan. 1st, 2010
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- 10:00am
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StandUp for Kids Sleeping Bag Drive. The sleeping bags will be distributed to homeless youth on the west side of los angeles to keep them warm this winter.
- Dec. 1st, 2009
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- 11:00am
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- Read More
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Northwestern University’s Dance Marathon (NUDM) is proud to announce STANDUP FOR KIDS as its 2010 primary beneficiary.
- Mar. 5th, 2010
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- 07:00pm
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- Read More
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The Los Angeles program is currently undergoing expansion and we plan on making our program stronger and able to help more kids than ever before!
- Jan. 24th, 2010
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- 10:00am
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Fundraiser benefitting homeless and street youth in Venice and Hollywood.
- Feb. 6th, 2010
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- 07:00pm
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Supporters
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- 12.11.09
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- 02:36pm
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- 11.24.09
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- 02:43pm
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- 11.08.09
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- 04:05pm
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Warm hello from South Florida! I'm a member of the leadership team with the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter. SU4K continues to inspire me everyday!- 11.08.09
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- 09:02am
Related Activity
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Glenn Rosecrans donated to StandUp For Kids
- 01.23.10
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- 12:43pm
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Michael Taranto donated to StandUp For Kids
- 01.15.10
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- 12:48pm
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Kathy Kendrick donated to StandUp For Kids
- 12.23.09
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- 12:07pm
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Jonathan Kalan donated to StandUp For Kids
- 11.11.09
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- 12:14pm
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Causecast has just uploaded a new video- 11.05.09
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- 01:09pm
Stand Up sees over 125 youth each week just in the Venice area. These kids range in all ages and need our help, support or just someone to listen to them. They don't ask for much and normally only take what they need.
StandUp rocks! The Los Angeles outreach team, led by Alison and Aaron, are the most amazing people I've ever had the privilege of meeting. These kids' stories will break your heart and make you so angry. But StandUp's dedication to these kids is so inspiring.