Local homeless youth program selected as Dance Marathon Beneficiary
StandUp For Kidsis an all-volunteer program providing street outreach and mentoring to homeless and runaway youth in OrangeCounty
IRVINE, CA (June 1, 2009) – StandUp For Kids has just learned that Northwestern University’s Dance Marathon (NUDM)proudly selected the organization as its 2010 primary beneficiary. StandUp For Kids works to find and help homeless youth in cities across the United States, including those in its OrangeCounty program which has been running since 2003. In addition to providing basic necessities and support for homeless youth, the group also deters kids from running away.
It is estimated that there are more than 16,000 homeless youth in OrangeCounty and 1.5 million nationwide, many of whom are living and dying on the streets without any support or guidance. Very few services exist for youth in these situations apart from organizations like StandUp For Kids, which is almost run entirely by volunteers.
StandUp For Kids is incredibly excited to be working with NUDM, one of the largest student-run philanthropy events in the world. The event, which takes place in Evanston, Ill. has raised over ten million dollars for various charities since its founding in 1975. Last year, over 1,400 dancers and committee members raised $917,834 through fundraising and in-kind donations, and have already begun working toward an even bigger and better Dance Marathon for 2010.
This is only the second time in NUDM’s 36 year history that they will dance for a social cause. “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with StandUp For Kids,” says Lauren Troy, Co-Chair of Dance Marathon 2010. “Now more than ever, the struggle of homeless youth seems particularly relevant, and StandUp For Kids is an incredible organization. We can’t wait to see where this new road takes us.”
By walking the streets and offering the children consistent care and support, the volunteers seek to provide them with the help they need to get off the streets.
“Lots of kids I work with are 16, 17, 18 years old,” explains Rick Koca, founder of StandUp For Kids. “They’re your peers on the street. People look at kids on the streets and think that they really want to be there, but the majority of youth on the street that I know would love to be in college.”
Justine Madison, the executive director of OrangeCounty’s program, agrees. “Sometimes all it takes is a caring adult to guide a youth off the street and into a safe and productive environment. We’ve seen our work pay off time and time again. We’ll be standing in the gap for as long as kids are out there.”
StandUp For Kids provides a variety of programs and resources for youth. In addition to Street Outreach, their mentoring program offers kids basic life skills and social skills. Their Don’t Run Away program teaches elementary and middle school students how to safely remove themselves from abusive situations. Outside of the classroom, they organize drives to collect food, clothing, and funding to better serve the diverse needs of homeless youth.
In some cities, StandUp For Kids also operates Outreach Centers, giving youth the chance to drop-in to a safe environment and receive comprehensive services under one roof. The OrangeCounty program hopes to establish its own center in the near future.
Volunteers and supporters are always in demand. For more information about StandUp For Kids, please visit www.standupforkids.org or call (714)356-KIDS (5437). Additionally, for more information about Northwestern University Dance Marathon, please visit www.nudm.org.
