StandUp for Kids
As a Co-Ed and volunteer for Stand Up for Kids in Tampa, FL, I have found an organization that offers much needed resources and support to a demographic that is virtually unrecognized in FL. Stand Up is an invaluable resource for displaced and homeless youths and without these services these kids would be virtually overlooked.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It is a target audience that was virtually unserviced.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Very compassionate and dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Alter the scope of homelessness for young people in this nation.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
StandUp for Kids is an outstanding organization dedicated to the needs of homeless and at-risk youth. As the Co-Executive Director of the San Antonio Chapter, I have a very dedicated team of volunteers who in addition to doing street outreach, help homeless youth with education and job assistance, residential, medical, legal and counseling referrals and assistance to get back home. It's my honor to contribute to the success of the mission of this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Helping a young mother of two small children get off the streets and begin her journey of supporting her children. Assisting a young man, a Katrina suvivor, learn how to live independently, work and begin a medical technical training program at Job Corp.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The humble young people we serve everyday in this community... their resilience and tenacity in their effort to create a better life for themselves.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I've been doing some kind of volunteer work my entire adult life and I have never, ever seen people dedicate this much of their personal time in a volunteer capacity.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Hire much needed national and regional staff to support the local chapters and provide outreach centers, which is the most effective way to provide services to homeless youth.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Working with StandUp For Kids has given me the opportunity to step into a world that I fortunately never have had to live in but unfortunately I, like most others, also never took the time to understand. Learning what so many of our children have to endure, that they are so utterly alone, forgotten and disrespected is more than enough, actually too much inspiration to keep me involved with StandUp. Working with StandUp For Kids I have learned about the entire homeless community. I have learned how immensely important it is just to acknowledge those who you encounter in your day to day life. I have learned to be smart, stay safe but not to judge someone simply by how they look, smell or how "scary" they appear. The most important thing I have learned is that by just smiling at someone and saying hello I have the power to make a huge positive impact on a strangers life. The hardest thing that I have come to realize while working with StandUp For Kids is that while we strive to do everything that we can to help rehabilitate a damaged kids life, the many small advances that we make very possibly will never "fix" the destruction that has previously occurred. I have to focus on what I as an individual working for the StandUp For Kids program can do to help within my means. I can only do my part and educate and advocate to as many others as I can in hopes that they will step up to be part of the solution as well. One of the most important aspects of StandUp For Kids is that it is an all-volunteer program. It is the sacrifice and dedication of everyday people all across the country that care enough to make a difference in the lives of kids whose parents, family, government and all other sources of love and support have abandoned them. Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers - past, present, ongoing and periodic who care enough to make a difference.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
having a positive impact on the lives of kids who have nothing.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
update and implement required training methods.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the relationships that have developed.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
passionate and dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help guide homeless youth to setting and achieving goals to improve their lives.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to give.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding and maintaining all volunteer programs.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
This organization was researched a couple of different times for the purpose of finding a worthy fit for several philanthropist wishing to donate significant funding. Some of our staff went through the volunteer process anonymously. Our belief was that although this organization has been around for almost 20 years now, it seems to struggle continuously with the same issues. Poor management, lack of proper training for its volunteers, lack of funding, poor internal controls (based on 990's listed on their website), poor communications , and lack of real assistance for the homeless youth culture. Poor management based on several factors: 2007 990's reflect major theft revealing lack of supervision and internal controls, no 990 listed for 2008 as of yet, lack of control of volunteers actions and chapters being so autonomous, national office located in 3 different cities in the past 4 years, website reflects 2 different cities currently as national office on different pages, no current staff member has over 2 years tenure - all points to chapters having very little effect on homeless youth population. Our volunteers were subjected to one weekend trainings (Fri Night - 3 hours, Saturday - 7 hours, Sunday - 6 hours) with the CEO performing the training in one of the cases ( our staff reported a very harsh, demeaning and sometimes downright rude presentation). A volunteer leader with only 6 months experience with the organization presented the training in another case. It was our conclusion that a major lack of training exist in this organization's structure. Homeless youth have immense needs, and if this organization's goal is to feed them with packaged meals, then we felt no funding was needed and if it's their intention to meet any of the other needs a myriad of issues have gone neglected in it's preparation.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
start with a change of leadership. Major theft, basic website errors, lack of staff tenure speaks to poor management.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very new to the organization. Those involved were certainly committed but grossly in the wrong positions of leadership. Trainings were remedial and far too short in scope and length.
Ways to make it better...
I had seen a real effect on the homeless youth population in any of the three cities our staff volunteered in.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
it's track record. However, an organization is only as strong as its leadership.
One thing I'd also say is that...
To this org's credit, it has been successful in staying a float for 20 years and seems to be able to recruit volunteers - now in over 40 cities across the US - it would be nice to see this org step up with better training, management and results.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
This program is an incredible representation of community organizing to address the multisystemic, incredibly complex needs of homeless and runaway youth. And to think it's all done by volunteers who have kids, jobs that pay, and other demands...yet still get out on the streets, and into the shelters, and stay on kids that need guidance, and nurture those that have no other supports... that's an incredible testament to the culture of StandUp For Kids and the power of every community to address the needs of its most vulnerable population.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeking support from partnering community agencies and organizations.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
improve measurement and evaluation; hire the very best PR and development staff at national level; stop being so humble about what services we provide and changes we make!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
a feeling of real change and the friendships that come with the youth and volunteers from wide swaths of life
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
incredibly dedicated
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
open drop-in centers and coordinate housing support for thousands of youth around the country.
Ways to make it better...
i had known on day 1 what i know now about volunteer development and community partnerships.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
growth in numbers of homeless youth met with increased competition for limited funds.
One thing I'd also say is that...
for what limited resources the program has, it does one heck of a lot and it never falls through for the kids.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I've been involved in getting the New York City chapter up and running again. While the work has been tough and some of the work difficult, knowing that the mission of Stand Up For Kids is to help fight youth homelessness makes it very rewarding. Having such a large city to work in has made the challenge of getting the program up and running challenging and frustrating at times. But I am sure that no matter what the size of the city the issues of recruiting and maintaining volunteers, gaining resources, and helping kids is never easy. SUFK does a great job of providing training for the leadership team and volunteers. One of the great things about working with SUFK is that as a leader, I have the ability to develop the program in ways that are specific to NYC and that don't try to force a standard template on us. I would like to see the forum improved so that there is an easier way for leaders all across the country share their ideas that work and don't work.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Develop a better overall fundraising program. I think we don't do nearly enough to get money that can be used to fund scholarships, outreach centers and other programs.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I have enjoyed the chance to rebuild a program that can definitely help homeless kids in NYC.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I have met a diverse group of volunteers and staff. The great thing is that you do have an opportunity to meet people from all different backgrounds.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help a lot more kids. I especially think that this money would help the organization operate outreach centers in more cities. This money could also be used to help fund programs that will help the kids get training or education to help build a future.
Ways to make it better...
I had shown a stronger influence early on and been more forceful in beginning outreach at an earlier date.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
that youth homelessness is becoming a bigger problem because of the economy. In some cities there is also the potential for backlash against homeless youth because people may not understand the real issues at the heart of the issue.
One thing I'd also say is that...
It is truly amazing to work with a group of volunteers that are dedicated and freely give their time and energy to such a worthy cause. I think we live in a society that sometimes makes it too easy to be cynical and to lose touch w/our humanity.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Working at StandUp For Kids has been one of the most rewarding life experiences. I enjoy working with the people and the kids we help. They are like family.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Helping teens to get off the street and into a safe home.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I came to StandUp For Kids as a new employee looking for something more rewarding - BOY, DID I GET IT!!! There is nothing more gratifying than coming to work each day and interacting with the truly AMAZING volunteers that have each given so much of their time and hearts to fulfilling the mission of StandUp For Kids that is, except for being able to share in the lives of the youth our programs serve! Being the family that they would otherwise not have, listening and being a friend when things are bad, and celebrating with them in their accomplishments is an unbelievable feeling. Never did I think it was possible to love what I did for a living until I came to work here, and never did I think I'd actually LOVE the people I work with and for! StandUp For Kids is a unique organization with so much to offer each person that becomes involved - staff, volunteers, youth - and the experience definitely becomes a part of who you are for the rest of your life.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being witness to the kids it's helped. I've worked with and met some of the most talented young people that may never had a chance had it not been for StandUp For Kids.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The best volunteers in the WORLD!! I've been very fortunate to work with so many people who are so giving of their time and hearts for the sake of helping kids. They are my heroes!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach more homeless youth in more cities across the country, help send kids to college or job training programs, be able to reach more people to raise awareness for homeless youth through national advocacy campaigns.
Ways to make it better...
I was able to assist programs more personally, and by having more staff in the field that could be more 'hands on' with the volunteers to help build even more programs.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
StandUp For Kids is real. It's about helping homeless kids and at risk street youth, and building relationships with kids who have no one else, or have been let down. The volunteers are caring, dedicated and passionate. I am proud to be apart of such a motivated organization that makes its dream a reality by helping one kid at a time and never giving up. When I joined StandUp For Kids this year, I never thought I would get so much out of it. I have met great people, learned new things about this growing problem and ways to address it, as well as a desire to continue helping as much as I can. I had the opportunity to meet Rick Koca at a training, and he truly inspired me to take action. As he says "I didn't have the right to be mad about this problem, if i'm not going to do anything about it". He is exactly right. Those are words to live by.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Personally assisting homeless youth in my city with basic necessities such as school supplies, clothing, hygeine packs. Letting them know we care, and we want to help them in any way we can. Its unforunate the things these kids experience at home.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Knowing the work we are doing is going to help a homeless or at risk street youth. Showing them there are people who care, and proving it.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Passionate, caring and highly motivated people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
The first thing I would like to see is an outreach center in each city, so that kids have a safe place to eat, lay their head for a few hours, and rest. A place to feel 'at home', and get the basic necessities they need.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I found StandUp For Kids Years Ago (8-10 years ago)in searching for worthwhile, amazing charities I could get behind, support and volunteer for, and StandUp For Kids has been it! I have done everything from donating and collecting clothes and items for the homeless youth, helping out in our Local Center in San Diego, Ca and with various local events and activities, and fundraising for the charity. Founder Rick Koca has the biggest heart and has created a charity that just makes you feel Great when you get involved, and the difference you can make in the lives of our homeless youth! So join us volunteers and get involved!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
San Diego, Ca
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Nothing, Rick Does an Amazing Job, and things have grown so much in the past 10 years since I first got involved.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
What we do to help homeless youth, and spread the word about the charity.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Friendly, genuine and hard workers.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Open more centers and help alot more kids.
Ways to make it better...
Only I can make it better by making more time to volunteer and contribute.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Getting the word out there how great they are and just how many homeless youth they are able to help and want to help by opening more centers.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I love this Charity!!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews