Kitsap County

StandUp for Kids – Kitsap County is part of a national nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to the mission of ending the cycle of youth homelessness for over 30 years!

Founded in 1992, StandUp for Kids – Kitsap County is an all-volunteer chapter, assisting hundreds of unaccompanied, homeless, and at-risk youth ages 12-24 each month in their efforts to improve their lives. In recent years, we’ve focused on partnering with teachers and counselors from all four regional school districts and the local community college to help us supply immediate and ongoing needs such as Weekend Food Bags, shoes and clothing, hygiene products, sleeping bags, backpacks and school supplies to those students most in need. This model has allowed us to maximize our impact across our sprawling geographical area, and encourages struggling teens to stay in school, where they have access to other important resources, helping them achieve their goals of getting a high school diploma and possibly even a college degree.

StandUp for Kids – Kitsap County also works closely with other community partners and nonprofit organizations such as Pathways to Success, Backpack Brigade, local food banks, teen parenting programs, after school programs, and private sector partners-places like CJ’s Evergreen General Store-to connect with youth outside of the school system to provide them with the necessary supplies they need, in the hopes of helping them transition from surviving to thriving.

“If I hadn’t found StandUp for Kids I don’t know if I would be dead or alive. I would definitely still be using. I wouldn’t have the leadership skills and the work ethic I have now. No matter who you are or where you’re from you’re going to hit a rough patch sometime in your life. I’m grateful that StandUp for Kids was there to embrace me and help me and save me during my tough times. To everyone who supports StandUp for Kids thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

~Brittany, a recent alumnus of StandUp for Kids – Kitsap County

Thanks to the generous community donations and our dedicated staff of volunteers, the positive impact our program has had on the lives of struggling youth in the Kitsap County community has been unmistakable. But the number of teens in crisis situations continues to grow, and we’re working hard to face the challenges of growing the program fast enough to keep up. There is so much more work to be done, so many more opportunities to connect with our local kids in need, so many more creative ideas of how to help our most vulnerable youth yet to be explored!

Your support of this important mission is more than just appreciated, it’s critical!  So, we encourage you to consider donating, joining our team or contacting us to find out more!