My Nonprofit Reviews

StandUp for Kids in Downtown San Diego helped me out when I definitely couldn't help myself. I was homeless due to drug addiction in my late teens, and StandUp didn't ask me questions when I stumbled into their building. They gave me food when I was hungry, and clothes and showers when I was dirty. The counselors there seriously wanted to help us, and they weren't far off in age. They would listen if someone wanted to talk, and their sincerity let us be something other than homeless, drug addicted teenagers for a few hours a night. They let us be normal kids. We'd sit around in the mock living room in the center, eat homemade food, and even do chores. That sense of normalcy was priceless. I didn't think about what I'd do after the Center closed, I was just happy to be there, right then. They reminded me of the life I left behind and eventually I missed my old life, got clean, and went back to it. But honestly, if it weren't for the meals, clothes, support and sense of normalcy StandUp for Kids gave me 5 years ago, I don't know what would have happened to me. I would have been forced to do comitt crimes everytime I needed food and clothes, and I would have probably ended up in jail. Now none of my friends would even guess I lived that life years ago. I have a Bachelor's Degree, a good job, and a good life. I definitely appreciate everything StandUp did for me, and if I had a million dollars to give to charity, it would definitely be to StandUp. Rick Koka, the CEO is an amazing man with a huge heart and the world definitely needs more people like him, who are so committed to making positive change in this world.

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