Our mission is ending the cycle of youth homelessness throughout the United States, one youth at a time. StandUp For Kids helps homeless youth tackle some of their everyday obstacles and work towards a life off the street as a successful and contributing member of their community. We are here to empower homeless and at-risk youth toward lifelong personal growth, and to create in these youth a sincere belief in themselves through open, straightforward counseling, mentoring, and life-skills training.  We strive to build communities where all youth know care, feel loved and have a support system to move quickly from surviving to thriving. Our main responsibility is to our nation's youth faced with homelessness, whether temporary or longer term; no matter the circumstance that got them there; no matter the work that needs to be done to help them transition into safe, stable chapters of their lives. When our youth feel unwelcome, we stand taller to welcome them.

Through effective, qualified and well trained human resources, the organization will be able to establish and launch programs and resources to alleviate the problem of youth homelessness and prepare them for self-sufficiency. To engage in our mission of ending the cycle of youth homelessness, we implemented four core programs: Street Outreach, Outreach Centers, Apartment Support, and Mentoring. (1) Street Outreach - Counselors go directly to the streets to reach homeless kids. Each chapter offers street outreach. (2) Outreach Centers - the intent and purpose of StandUp For Kids Outreach Centers are to provide safe and protective environments for homeless and at-risk youth. (3) Apartment Support - Apartment Support teams help young renters build a life centered around their community. (4) Mentoring - During mentoring sessions, youth develop a goal plan and mentors help them prioritize and executive their plan. Mentors act as guides, role models, and accountability partners.

The organization was founded in 1990 and currently has 18 Programs (Chapters) and operates in over 11 states. StandUp for Kids is almost entirely run by volunteers who are fully trained and passionate about supporting this under-served population. Over the past 29 years, StandUp for Kids volunteers have performed over a million hours of community services, conducted more than 100,000 hours of counseling services and provided more than 1,000,000 meals to homeless and street kids. Our dedicated volunteers and staff never lose sight of the potential of our youth. We consistently recruit board members with a wealth of knowledge and skill set to govern the organization and provide oversight and leadership that are instrumental in the growth of StandUp for Kids. Because our central responsibility is to our youth, eighty-six cents from each dollar goes directly to support local efforts on the streets. In 2018, our Programs expanded their geographic reach and grew the types and levels of services they provided. These efforts resulted in more positive contact with young people and connect them with life-sustaining resources.

Progress will be determined through data collected on the number of diplomas received, jobs obtained, alcohol and drug habits eliminated, and permanent housing obtained, as well as the number of success stories cataloged. Data on services provided includes the total number of counseling hours conducted and training delivered, number of individual youth served, number of youth served no longer on the streets, increased mentoring programs/youth participants, and the number of legal documents (ID, birth certificates) obtained. Also, the number of new chapters opened across the country and additional outreach centers will be a major factor that we are making progress toward ending the cycle of youth homelessness.

StandUp for Kids is reaching and providing life saving services to an increasingly large percentage of homeless and at-risk youth. During 2018, we increased the number of youth served. Through our Entrepreneur Program, we are helping youth open their minds to the possibility of starting their own businesses. We were recognized and honored by Congress in the passing of a Resolution naming November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month while mentioning StandUp for Kids within its resolution. StandUp for Kids Programs across America participate in events to help raise awareness throughout the month of November. In past years, the White House has also recognized us on three separate occasions for our work within communities all across the United States. We continuously focus on youth homeless awareness by educating the public. Homelessness among youth is an epidemic throughout the United States and will take the efforts of everyone. It is a continuous work in process. Our goals for the next three (3) years: 1. Increase Youth Housed by 20% Yearly 2. Open three (3) Outreach Centers 3. Launch a Youth Entrepreneurship Program