StandUp for Kids – Silicon Valley was launched in 2008 with our mentoring program and in 2013 we opened our Outreach Center and launched our Street Outreach program. In February of 2023 we closed our outreach center, and hit the streets to reach youth where they are with our core programs:
Street outreach goes out several times a month to bring resources to them by canvassing the streets in search of homeless youth and letting them know that there are caring adults who are concerned about their well-being and want to see them safe and successful. We provide vital information regarding available resources to meet their needs, provide food, clothing and hygiene products.
Finding reliable food sources can be daunting for at-risk youth. Hunger not only clouds judgment but can lead to poor choices. That’s why we’re enhancing our core programs with a critical new initiative: Food Access, to help fuel every youth’s journey.
We provide meals – whether it’s a shared meal with a mentor, snack packs from street teams, or food pantry supplies. Once youth have access to nutritious food, our teams offer regular food baskets and connect them to local resources–empowering them to regain dignity, build stable lives, and make better decisions.
Our mentoring program offers creation of individual life plans to help each kid meet their specific personal goals for a fulfilled, sustained, and independent future off the streets, including education support, job training, job search skills and whatever else our kids need to be successful.
Our housing support enables us to work 1:1 with youth to assist them in finding a place off the streets, such as renting a room, apartment or into a housing program. We stay by their side through the whole process, establishing the skills to maintain a home and through their first year and a half to ensure they are self-sufficient for a life of independence.
Youth homelessness rates are on the rise. All of our programs have the overall goal of leading homeless youth to self-sufficiency and a life off the streets.
We do this with our strong volunteer group, our supportive community and through individual’s caring enough to make a difference. Your donated time, resources, and money in support of our mission has made us stronger than ever.
Thank you for your continued support of StandUp for Kids – Silicon Valley!