StandUp For Kids -

Local News

StandUp For Kids - Silicon Valley is a passionate group of about 25 volunteers working to make a positive critical difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk youth who have run away or been kicked out of an unsafe home. Our chapter was established in 2008, and in just three short years we have helped dozens of kids get off the street and begin independent successful lives.

When a kid requests our help, one of volunteer mentors arranges to meet the kid at a safe place of their choice such as at school, a fast food place or a coffee house. We find out the kid’s immediate needs - food, shelter, hygiene, medical attention, transportation - and immediately get to work to satisfy these needs as quickly as possible.

These kids absolutely need the “stuff” we give them, but the real value of our work is in showing our kids that we care about them, believe in them, and want to help them reach their goals. We challenge and help each one to create and execute an individual plan to improve his/her life, and then prove - every day - that they can count on us to be there for them. We introduce them to resources that can help them achieve their life goals and support them in their efforts every step of the way. We encourage and assist them to get back into school if they are not already.

We cheer for them when they make progress, and get in their face when they make a bad decision and challenge them to do better. We help, we support, we guide, but most importantly, we care.

Services Provided

Immediate necessities such as food, clothing, personal hygiene, medical care, education assistance and transportation.

One-on-one mentoring to instill a sincere sense of personal importance, being cared about, and respected.

Joint creation of individual life plans to help each kid meet their specific personal goals for a successful, sustained independent future off the streets.

Support, guidance and resources to assist each kid in executing their individual life plan including education support, job training, job search skills and whatever else the kid needs to be successful!

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HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. DONATE. We need to raise additional money to provide the services and supplies that our kids need. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. Checks should be made out to StandUp For Kids - Silicon Valley, and mailed to:

   	StandUp For Kids - Silicon Valley
   	PO Box 321244
   	Los Gatos, CA 95032

   We need contributions "in kind" of all the basic supplies (nonperishable food and hygiene products) listed on our wish list. Please email SiliconValley@StandUpforkids.org if you can help.


2. VOLUNTEER. We currently are looking to fill several leadership positions and we need additional volunteers to be outreach counselors and to help with everything from fund raising, public relations, food drives, website updating, program development, project management, to just plain wanting to help others and creating flyers. If interested, please email SiliconValley@StandUpforkids.org. We specifically need additional male outreach counselors and Spanish-speaking outreach counselors. All leaders and volunteers who work with the kids must complete a background check and attend a 16-hour training session.

If you’d like to make a contribution to help us start a program here, please click on the donate button at the top of this page.

SiliconValley@standupforkids.org