What is StandUp for Kids?

STANDUP FOR KIDS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth. With national headquarters in San Diego, California, STANDUP FOR KIDS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and has programs in a plethora of states.
STANDUP FOR KIDS was founded to help homeless and street kids. This mission shall be carried out by a national volunteer force whose on-the-streets outreach efforts will find, stabilize and assist homeless and street kids in their efforts to improve their lives. The organization's mission shall also be furthered through deterrence and resource programs provided in schools and via the Internet. All facets of this mission shall be guided by the mandate that our volunteers shall tell kids they care about them and then, at every turn, prove it.

In my presence with StandUp For Kids - Detroit, the volunteers did not only seem to be that adult influence these kids really need but also their friend. Founder and CEO, Rick Koca, stated

“we are not trying to get them off the streets and tell them they are wrong, but instead emphasize that there is someone out there who cares about them and we will prove it.”

This is the very reason why I chose to work with StandUp for Kids; their ability to express nothing but human compassion, to be a friend before a teacher, and to effortlessly attend to as many kids needs possible.

The Detroit Chapter of StandUp For Kids also started a new program under Outreach in 2007 called Alternative Outreach, whereby Counselors find alternative venues to access and support homeless youth, or those youth who are highly at-risk of becoming homeless. Due to the huge couch-surfing culture and challenges facing foster care youth, particularly in Detroit, this alternative means led the chapter to take a closer look at both shelters and the foster care system. Currently, the first Alternative Outreach program Detroit has launched works with foster care transitional youth - those youth who are aging out of the foster care system and transitioning into independent adult life. Working with an agency named CIAO (Creating Independence And Outcomes) who is dedicated to helping these youth with education and employment goals - StandUp For Kids - Detroit created a weekly program to further provide some of CIAO's most at-risk foster care transitional youth additional support in the complex process of aging out. Both programs recognized that these youth need so much more support and guidance beyond education and employment, so since April of 2007, StandUp For Kids - Detroit has filled that need wholeheartedly to their program youth.