StandUp for Kids - DC

National character

StandUp For Kids (SUFK) has helped improve the lives of homeless and at-risk youth and young adults throughout the United States since 1990. In 24 cities in 16 states across the country, SUFK finds, stabilizes, and helps homeless youth improve their lives by providing or connecting them to life-saving services. SUFK served youth through more than 30,000 incidents of support nationwide in 2012. As a chapter of this national organization, SUFK is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization (EIN: 330414855).

 

Local efforts

Since 2010, the DC chapter of SUFK has served homeless youth up to 25 years old through street outreach activities and a safe haven (or “drop-in” center). In 2012, SUFK-DC served 132 different youth through 429 separate interactions in the center or through outreach. Additionally, SUFK is creating a new sensitivity training program for teachers and administrators to understand the challenges their homeless students face.

 

SUFK-DC also operates a mentoring program to reach younger homeless children. A dozen students in middle school have been paired with mentors for support with their social, educational, and developmental challenges.

Administration and funding

Like SUFK’s other chapters, the DC chapter is largely autonomous and run by local volunteers. It receives financial and administrative support from two national office staff, as well as programmatic guidance and best practices from a nationwide community of volunteer executive directors and a board of directors.