StandUp For Kids is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1990. Its mission is to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth in America. StandUp For Kids is run almost entirely by volunteers

Volunteering

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...

, and has established more than 35 outreach programs in over 18 states. It is the largest all-volunteer charity organization dedicated to making a difference to street kids that are at-risk or homeless.

Mission

The mission of StandUp For Kids is to help rescue homeless and at-risk youths. StandUp For Kids volunteers work directly with the homeless youth population and go on the streets to find, stabilize, and otherwise help homeless and street kids improve their lives. In addition, StandUp For Kids goes beyond street outreach and extends to deterrence and resource programs that are provided in schools and via the internet. As with all NPO's, one may visit www.guidestar.org to verify the organization's status.

Organization

StandUp For Kids is run almost entirely by volunteers. Volunteers fill a variety of positions, such as executive director, public relations

Public relations

Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....

 manager, community resource director, outreach and apartment support directors, and adult training directors. StandUp for Kids is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

 and has offices in Atlanta and other large cities, and is starting a program in Cincinnati.

"Don’t Run Away" program

Don’t Run Away (DRA) is a branch of StandUp For Kids whose main purpose is giving presentations to elementary and middle school students about the consequences and alternatives of running away. The presentations are given by college and high school students, targeted for third to eighth graders. Each child is given a DRA Card, which includes contacts to call if they or someone they know is in an abusive situation or intends on running away from home.

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

November was officially declared as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month by the United States Congress

United States Congress

The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....

on July 11, 2007. November, 2007 marked the first time that National Homeless Youth Awareness Month was officially recognized.