Our Mission
‘To empower kids to change the world.’ We are committed to creating a dual paradigm shift; in the way young people perceive themselves as capable, powerful changemakers, and in how adults view and treat youth as community partners.
Our youth leadership programs are designed to build empathy and self efficacy, while strengthening children’s connections to their peers, school, community, and caring community mentors.
Team Kids Programs
Location
Participants
Team Kids
Unite
Anywhere (virtual)
Team Kids
Service Days
communities.
Team Kids
Challenge
At school
New fully virtual program launched
Our History
In 2001, 600 students at Vista Verde Elementary School in Irvine, California, learned about Jeremy, a three-year-old boy suffering from a rare heart condition.
When the students realized that Jeremy’s family needed $20,000 to fly him to the Mayo Clinic for life saving surgery, they began raising funds through coin drives and a pancake breakfast with firefighters.
Their efforts gained widespread media coverage. Community donations poured in, a Hollywood celebrity gave $18,000, and a local philanthropist offered the use of his private jet, pilot, and fuel to fly Jeremy’s family to Minnesota.
Inspired by the students’ compassion and impact, current CEO Julie Hudash founded Team Kids to help youth make a difference in their communities. Today, Jeremy is a thriving adult and more than 650,000 children have made an impact through the Team Kids Challenge!
20 Years of Youth Empowerment
Backed By Research
Testimonials
“[Through Team Kids,] I learned that you don’t need to be an adult to make a difference.”
“Team Kids is teaching kids how to use their skills and talent and compassion to help others, and in that process, they develop their own leadership skills [… and] I think that [police] officers get as much out of it as the young people do.”
Families
Change the world during COVID-19 lockdown! Try Team Kids Unite, a free, at-home service program.
Community Partners
Join the growing number of community and government organizations empowering Team Kids.
Stay Connected
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Team Kids. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact