StandUp For Kids -

Since 2009, StandUp For Kids Seattle's volunteers have been building relationships with local street kids. In February 2011, a homeless young man asked a volunteer Outreach Counselor how to get off the streets. Immediately, volunteers created the Youth Development Program encourage successful transitions.

Stephenie Hansen, Youth Development Manager and founder of the program explains “SUFK's Youth Development program is a tailored program for the youth.” The Youth Advocates and Youth Developers collaborate with the youth on a plan for overcoming challenges and achieving short-term and long-term goals. When the youth has shown growth by reaching personal milestones, an exit strategy is carried out.

The young man who asked StandUp for help in February graduated from FareStart's culinary training program and has been employed and off the streets for ten months. StandUp's Youth Development Program has also helped two youths enter transitional housing. In addition, there are four youths in the program with the potential of getting off the streets. The Youth Development team has initiated a peer group for homeless kids to support each other in reaching their goals.

The success of the Youth Development team is possible because of StandUp For Kids Seattle's committed volunteers. The team is made up of two Youth Developers; Stephenie Hansen and Dayna Nordine and three Youth Advocates; Nancy LaJambe, Megan Bannister, and Lindsey A. Smith.

How can you help the team? Bus tickets give the kids a means to meet with their Youth Developer. Subway and Starbucks gift cards are needed to provide the hungry youth with a meal before they are ready to engage with their Developer. “Outreach counselors that are educated on the Youth Development program” are also in desperate need, says Stephenie. If you would like to support the Youth Development program, please contact Seattle@standupforkids.org.

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Helping the Homeless

By Rebecca Simms, Marketing Intern, SUFK Seattle 
 
We care about helping the homeless population in our community. How do we take the first step? Here are some simple actions we can take to work toward our common goal. 

Get Educated 
Did you know that 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year? The National Coalition for the Homeless is a valuable resource for statistics that reveal the harsh reality of homelessness in the United States. Their website, http://www.nationalhomeless.org/, also teaches visitors how to help the effort and where to look if they need help. 

Locally, King County leaders and over 140 community organizations have designed the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. The City of Seattle funds public assistance programs that help make this plan sustainable. Click here for more information. 

Being aware and sharing your knowledge with others encourages others to be involved! 

Donate 

Food, money 

You could provide a meal for a local youth living on the street. Donations of granola bars, protein bars, and juice pouches helps provide StandUp For Kids - Seattle with food packs to give directly to street kids. 

PayPal donations may also be made through our website. Because our non-profit organization is 100% volunteer run, you can feel secure that your donation goes directly towards helping homeless youth. 

Donate now. 

Volunteer 
Offer a listening ear as an outreach counselor for StandUp For Kids - Seattle. Our outreach counselors meet local street kids in Westlake Park three times a week. These kids often feel like no one is listening to them, so taking the time to talk with them is a valuable gift. 

Our leadership team is always looking for people to help with administrative work and event planning. Email us today at seattle@standupforkids.org for more information on volunteer opportunities! 

Keep an Open Mind 
Respecting each homeless person as an individual and realizing that they each have a different reason for being on the street helps us gain perspective on this human issue. 

Be positive that each action that you take helps the greater effort. In the words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world." 

StandUp For Kids -