KICKO is an organization created and run by a Godly family that seeks to meet the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of inner city youth. They truly act as Christ's hands to a generation of children who need to know His love for them!
I am continually impressed with the way KICKO reaches the children of our local community. They do things no one else is able and/or willing to do. I applaud their efforts both personally and corporately, as a local church pastor. We have partnered together on multiple occasions and will do so again in the future.
KICKO transcends traditional notions of outreach. KICKO is committed to living among the marginalized. KICKO embraces the idea of community and they have truly become members of these communities. Living life together and bringing transformation via a contextualized and tangible gospel.
What a great way to share the gospel and impact local children! KICKO loves the kids and serves them well. Sidewalk Sunday School is a fun time for the kids to sing, play games, listen to a Bible story, learn a verse, and apply truth to their lives.
There are great volunteer opportunities.
Bill, Janice, and Michael do a great job stretching the dollars donated to have an incredible impact.
KICKO has shown their love for the community and children by their presence and Sonday Schools for years in Knoxville TN.
As I have observed the work of KICKO over the last few years I have been so impressed with the personal relationships they develop beyond the Sonday school ministry. The regular "boots on the ground" in these neighborhoods is bringing transformation one child and family at a time.
There is an incredible amount of love shared with the children by this ministry; from the founders through the volunteers, the children learn by example about unconditional love and acceptance.
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KICKO makes daily individual, powerful and permanent impacts on children and families who need to experience and know Christs' love and His ability to do far beyond all that we could possibly ask or dream. They are gifted at running a nonprofit and easy and accessible to work with in mobilizing a (large) church body to serve.
Knoxville Inner City Kids Outreach (KICKO) is special because of their intentionality about being in relationship with the children and their families in the public housing developments in the Knoxville area. Through their Sidewalk Sonday Schools, visiting the children and their families each week, summer camp experiences, and developing leaders from among the Sonday School participants, KICKO is committed to transforming relationships built upon the good news of Jesus.
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Knoxville Inner City Kids Outreach (KICKO) cares deeply about at-risk children in the Knoxville area. They conduct sidewalk Sonday Schools in the public housing developments that teach the children life-changing truths in many creative and positive ways. Their work, however, does not end there. They visit the children and their famiies every week and walk with them through the ups and downs of often difficult circumstances. They also have summer camp for kids who might not otherwise ever get a chance to go to camp. As the children mature they provide leadership development for them, too. Bill, Janice, and Michael Clark don't just preach it, they live it.
I've only been volunteering with KICKO for a semester, but they have proven to be one of the best organizations working with inner city kids in Knoxville. The sidewalk Sunday school is one of the most well planned and executed ways to get the message of Christ to children. Not only do they share te message of Christ with them, but KICKO teaches good character. I love all the little hugs and high gives I get from the kids and I know that they enjoy the time that is invested Into their lives. Even though I may not see the fruit of this time, but I have faith that these kids are having fun and encountering Jesus, which will impact their life.
I have worked with KICKO for the past year and a half, and I have fallen in love with the kids that participate in KICKO's Junior Staff program. God has done great things with the Clark family, amazing work in Knoxville: building relationships that last among kids, volunteers, and Christ! I sincerely hope that the area will continue to support KICKO and its vision.
I don't have the vocabulary to express what I feel the benefits of KICKO are, but I can try to sum it up with Luke 14:23 "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in , that my house may be filled ." Sidewalk Sunday School is about the most phenomenal outreach tool I've seen. Hearts and minds of children are being transposed by biblically based stories, music and interactive learning activities. The Impact teens have the opportunity to go to camps and events that they probably never would have the chance to experience. Giving is more than a donation, its an investment.
I have volunteered with KICKO for roughly 3 years. I have worked with other organizations like it and it just has not been the same. there is a true passion for knoxvilles youth among KICKO leadership. I have grown very fond for the youth in the program and have been opened up to the problems 10 minutes from my door. It is amazing to be apart of this organization and help this community.
KICKO is a Christian ministry whose mission is to “mobilize the message of hope” to at-risk children in Knoxville’s inner-city neighborhoods. They share the Gospel with elementary-aged children at multiple locations each week through their Sidewalk Sonday School program. I strongly support this organization because I believe that every life is valuable and worthy of being saved spiritually as well as physically. I truly believe that a strong Christian foundation can offer at-risk children hope, and will lead them to make better decisions that will ensure a brighter future.
KICKO is doing their part in Knoxville to ensure a better Knoxville for our families of tomorrow. Through KICKO, our inner city will be changed from the inside out one child at a time.
I am personally challenged daily to do more for the Kingdom by viewing the examples set the staff and volunteers of KICKO.
Their actions, fortitude and service are above reproach.
Tommy Horst
I worked as a volunteer to the Junior Staff group about 3 years ago. Due to some personal family obligations at that time I could not continue as a volunteer but have continued to pray for the group and the wonderful ministry that Bill, Janice, and Michael Clark and a host of volunteers who work to serve the inner city community. My heart's desire is to bless this wonderful organization by planting a financial seed to allow this ministry to continue to invest in and make an impact in the lives of the children. I look forward to the banquet every year just to see how God has showed up and shown out in the lives of these future Christian leaders! KICKO and the children this ministry serves will always be in my heart and prayers!
Love,
Yvonne Webb- Freedom House Church of God
I was introduced to KICKO almost 10 years ago and fell in love with the work and mission of this ministry. The Gospel is unashamedly front and center for this ministry, and there is no other group that does what they do. Each week the Sidewalk SONday school program is touching and impacting the least of these in our at-risk communities. I have served as a board member, a site volunteer, and am now a site leader. (non-paid staffer.) Having participated in virtually every aspect of this ministry from the budget to ministering the gospel on the front-lines, I can say with confidence that KICKO is the real deal. These are the good works that God has created us to walk in. What a blessing!!
KICKO is on the front lines for sharing Jesus Christ with the urban youth of the Knoxville area. Not only do they provide a weekly program at each location but they personally visit each child's family during the week to check on them and ask what they can pray for them.
After learning about the tremendous impact that KICKO is making in our community (and has for decades) I was compelled to go volunteer with my 8 year old son at one of their Sidewalk SONday Schools. WOW! I am convinced that he and I received a greater blessing than we delivered. My son asked two questions that I would ask you:
1. "Daddy, where are their daddy's at?" My response: many of them are not involved in their lives.
2. "Dad, do they not go to a church like ours?" My response: some of them may, but many of them will never experience God's love unless we take it to their communities like we did today.
Hence, I am moved by what KICKO is doing and would encourage you to support them with your time, talent and/or money. You'll never regret it!
It is often hard to decide whether to donate to an organization. Where will your money go? What will it be used for? Does it really go to help those in need? KICKO has proven themselves many times over and we are confident that when we donate to this organization children are helped in numerous ways. From ministering the Gospel, mentoring, sending to camp, and providing a Christmas gift, KICKO truly has the children's needs in mind. They are working hard to change the future of so many kids.
Wow, what can I say? The work KICKO does with inner city kids is amazing. Offering hope to so many who have no hope, is life giving. The KICKO staff, and volunteers genuinely love and care for the kids.
The kids' emotional and spiritual growth are happening in front of our eyes. KICKS's work is like an oasis in the desert! They are used to direct God's love directly to the kids. Keep up the great work!
Alan H
