Orange County Upcoming Events

2009 Paddle-Pedal for Charity

Time: 6:30am

Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
1131 Back Bay Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660

What is Paddle-Pedal?

Paddle-Pedal is an event providing participants the opportunity to enjoy a day in the sun pedaling or paddling their personal man-powered watercraft through beautiful Newport Harbor and out into the Pacific Ocean traveling along the coast reaching one of two destinations and back again.

Looking to participate, volunteer or sponsor click here. Don't forget to pick STANDUP FOR KIDS as your charity!

Play Ball!
by Iahana Heinz

Hot dogs, peanuts, cheers and jeers all part of an exceptional Sunday afternoon spent by 17 lucky boys and girls at the Los Angeles Dodgers game versus the San Diego Padres. Tickets were donated by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Transportation to the game at the Los Angeles Dodgers was provided by STANDUP FOR KIDS and the Santa Ana Boxing Club.

For many of the kids, the delight was in being able to take the trip of a lifetime to one of California’s most impressive landmarks. For others it was the potential of meeting a famous baseball player.

Whatever the reason, this memorable day did not disappoint. The Dodgers won over the Padres and the kids experienced the excitement of watching their home team win the ball game.

Offering Help Before Help is Needed:
STANDUP FOR KIDS Reaches Out to At-Risk Students of North and Central O.C.
By Courtney Ritchie

Volunteers at STANDUP FOR KIDS know that youth homelessness is more than a problem in Orange County—it’s an epidemic. However, locating the kids who need help can be difficult, while reaching out to at-risk youth before they need help is even more of a challenge. Last month, STANDUP FOR KIDS partnered with ACCESS in hopes of doing both.

Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services (ACCESS) is a branch of the Orange County Department of Education that offers alternative K-12 education. ACCESS’s programs are designed for students with unique needs, including those who are pregnant, failing school, on probation, incarcerated, or homeless.

On May 27, the organization held a career and college fair at the Brea Community Center for students in alternative education programs. Of the more than 500 teens in attendance, roughly a quarter were estimated to have experienced homelessness or to know someone who has. More...

San Clemente Increases Awareness,
Works on Its Tan
By Courtney Ritchie

It’s a beautiful Sunday in sunny San Clemente, and the city is holding its monthly art fair. Avenida Del Mar, the downtown block known locally for its chic boutiques, is swarming with people. Families stroll down the street—pets and strollers in tow—browsing works of handmade art while soaking up the sun. The last thing on the minds of the beach community residents is the roughly 16,000 homeless children and teens struggling to survive in their own backyard.

STANDUP FOR KIDS knows that raising awareness about homelessness continues to be a challenge in Orange County. The organization hoped to introduce the South O.C. community to the cause by hosting a booth at the San Clemente Village Art Fair, which would combine vital information with fun prizes. More...

Virgin Unites Inaugural Flight
By Nicole Kingman

On April 29th 2009 Justine Madison (Executive Director) and Nicole Kingman (Marketing Director) from STANDUP FOR KIDS Orange County, had the honor to attend the launch celebration of Virgin America’s first Orange County flight arrival.

The inaugural flight received by our very own John Wayne Airport was an Airbus A320, which carried billionaire Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson. Other celebrity guests to attend the event included MC Hammer, the cast of Sunset Tan and members of Real Housewives of Orange Country and New York City.

Sir Branson announced to the crowd, that the value of Virgin’s giveaway of seats on the inaugural flight would be donated to STANDUP FOR KIDS to help with at-risk youth. As if the event couldn’t get any better the party later moved, continuing the fun to The Pacific Edge Villa of Laguna Beach.

Special guest speaker Amber speaks to attendees of Wednesday's Stand Up for Kids Town Hall Meeting and Prayer Vigil at St Kilian's Catholic Church about her experiences with homelessness.
Courtsey of MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

For story and video visit http://www.ocregister.com/articles/homeless-children-vigil-2382597-amber-standup

  

STANDUP FOR KIDS is registered with Ralphs, Albertsons and Food 4 Less Community Rewards Programs. These programs give a 4% rebate on your purchases to STANDUP FOR KIDS. It’s never been easier to support STANDUP FOR KIDS sign up today! Click here.

Ralph’s Update: If you received your new Ralph’s Rewards cards you will need to re-associate STANDUP FOR KIDS with your account. For more information on how to Click here.

HELP US HELP KIDS

There are over 16,000 homeless kids in Orange County. They are just like you in almost every way, except that they don’t have homes. They live in motel rooms, homeless shelters, their parents’ cars or even on the street. There are lots of ways you can make a difference in the lives of homeless kids. Here are a few ideas, and you can probably think of a lot more. Click here.

Got a new cell phone recently? Trying to decide what to do with your old one? How about... a cell phone drive or simply contributing to this effort, please contact Justine Schnauder at justines@standupforkids.org

Welcome to the Orange County chapter of STANDUP FOR KIDS.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read about what we are doing in your city to help homeless and street kids. More...

Survival On The Streets: 24 Hours

The purpose of a 24 Hours On-The-Streets experience is to give volunteers an “almost real” look into the life of a street kid.

“The Counselor Experience” presents an opportunity to spend a 24-hour period on the streets, to perhaps experience what our kids go through every day. Know that you’re not going out to the streets to “be” a street kid, and there is no way that this experience is going to match what the kids go through. The purpose is that in “24 hours” you might find a better understanding of street life. You’ll have to learn where the kids find food, water, and shelter. This will be your opportunity to see how you will help our kids. Now, you will have an “inside minute” of what they go through every day to survive.

To make this event as effective as possible, the volunteer had to perform the following:

• Dress down
• Pockets had to be empty
• Bring a blanket or sleeping bag
• Bring sufficient change to make one phone call
• Leave all forms of identification at home

24 Hours: Survival on the Streets
A Counselor Experience

Brandy Madrid – September 2005

The Search is on. Volunteers NEEDED!
STANDUP FOR KIDS is an all volunteer program, so for us to be there for our homeless kids, we need your help! If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved e-mail us:

OrangeCounty@standupforkids.org