OLYMPIA, Wash. (PRWEB) April 13, 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 6pm 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. In Olympia/Thurston County, we estimate there to be 150 youth experiencing homelessness. 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 that target the needs in their community. In Thurston County, volunteers will join efforts to walk through the streets and connect with youth facing homelessness, offering support, services, and an open ear. Those who are unable to volunteer are asked to donate what they can 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.
“To reach our goal during the 48-hour campaign will help hundreds of kids in need, including in Thurston County. We’re very grateful for the incredible support we receive,” said Danny Burkett, Executive Director for StandUp for Kids- Olympia/Thurston County. “Nothing is as 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.”
Along with our continuous street outreach, throughout these 48 hours we have plans to support Mama Dee as she serves up hundreds of warm plates of food, organize a youth social with pizza, ice cream and movies, and provide a place of safety and warmth for our youth to relax and get the resources they need. How can you #StandUp to prevent and bring an end to youth homelessness in Thurston County/Olympia? Volunteer or donate now.
Visit:http://www.standupforkids.org/thurston-county
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: http://www.standupforkids.org/thurston-county for more information about its national presence and local program in your city.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Danny Burkett Phone: (360)960-0141
E-mail: dannyb(at)standupforkids.org
