For Immediate Release
Contact: Juanita Mitchell
Phone: 404.954.6614
[email protected]
STANDUP FOR KIDS CALLS THE NATION TO ACTION
IN “48 HOURS ON THE STREETS” CAMPAIGN FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
Decatur, GA – April 10, 2019. The national non-profit youth advocacy and outreach organization StandUp For Kids will unite the nation with its annual “48 Hours On The Streets,” a call to action during the last weekend in April to raise awareness of youth homelessness and the particular dangers one faces in the first 48 hours without shelter. The campaign will begin on Friday, April 26 at 5pm and end on Sunday, April 28.
According to Covenant House, about 40% of homeless individuals in the United States are under 18. More than 2 million kids in America will face a period of homelessness this year.
Throughout the weekend, StandUp For Kids volunteers across the country will walk the streets in search of young people experiencing homelessness between the ages of 12 and 24. Additionally, each local program will organize activities and hands-on projects for volunteers and youth to target the needs in their community. Those who are unable to volunteer are asked to donate what they can at standupforkids.org in honor of this effort to end youth homelessness.
While StandUp For Kids launches its 29th annual 48-hour public service campaign, the organization’s efforts are just as deliberate the other 363 days of the year. Beyond providing youth with basic needs such as hot meals, clothing, housing options and medical care, StandUp For Kids becomes a strong support system through mentoring, career counseling, academic advising, financial planning, and goal-setting strategies for long-term progress.
Operating almost entirely on volunteers and donations, the organization has expanded its efforts to 18 cities nationwide to confront the pressing issue of homelessness in our country. With an end-goal to increase volunteers, donations and overall awareness, this StandUp For Kids 48-hour campaign brings people together in service to reach more kids each year who are too afraid to seek help on their own.
“StandUp For Kids to me means salvation, an unbiased, unprejudiced second chance for not only me, but many others,” said Antonio, a youth now attending college, when asked what the organization means to him.
“In reaching our goal during the 48-hour campaign, we will help hundreds of kids in need, ” said Dr. Eddy Ameen, National Board co-chair. “Nothing is as more devastating to a young person’s future than struggling to survive on the street. Your help can make us connect to more youth in the first 48 hours and make their situations a little safer.”
How can you #StandUp to prevent and bring an end to youth homelessness? Volunteer or donate now. Visit standupforkids.org/how-to-help.
About StandUp For Kids: Founded in 1990, StandUp For Kids is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness in 18 cities and 11 states and the District of Columbia. It is almost entirely volunteer driven. In 2018, it provided nearly 54,000 instances of care and nearly 30,000 meals. Visit standupforkids.org for more information about its national presence and local program in your city.