Health & Fitness
Kids Helping Kids
When it comes to giving back, age is just a number. Read on to learn how a New Canaan-based nonprofit agency is letting kids take the reins when it comes to community service.
Anyone familiar with New Canaan knows it is a small town in Connecticut with a big volunteer spirit. At VolunteerSquare.com we are fortunate enough to be able to work with a wide range of individuals and groups of volunteers in New Canaan —from high school students to retirees.
One of our partner agencies, New Canaan-based Kids Helping Kids, is taking a unique approach to engaging kids in service in town and beyond.
Kids Helping Kids, or KHK, was founded in the Summer of 2009 by Jennifer Kelley and her young daughter Lexi. Kelley says her daughter wanted to give other kids her age the chance to experience the value in helping others.
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“All kids have the ability to help,” said Jennifer Kelley. “The goal of our organization is to help every kid realize they can help make a difference and impact the lives of those around them.”
A relatively small core of adults handles some coordination and logistical matters, but middle and high school students take on most of the responsibility. KHK members plan and lead their own projects, serve as ambassadors for their respective schools, and participate in the volunteer events they coordinate themselves.
This youth-led volunteer organization operates throughout most of lower Connecticut and works closely with other VolunteerSquare.com agencies for events.
On a semi-annual basis, Kids Helping Kids hosts a Birthday Bash at Stamford-based Inspirica for the children of Inspirica’s clients. The KHK teams read to younger children, take pictures, and, in their own words, have fun.
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Kids Helping Kids also runs an annual bread bake at Thanksgiving, conducts various drives and works with a number community-oriented businesses on special projects.
For example, KHK teams up with Salon Kiklo in New Canaan for the annual Cuts for a Cause event. Kids – and adults – come to the salon for a haircut and all proceeds go to help children suffering from Alopecia Areata and other diseases causing hair loss.
We’re proud to have Kids Helping Kids onboard as one of our earliest partner agencies. Whether you’re a kid or adult, Kids Helping Kids has volunteer opportunities!
Right now, they’re looking for help from adults in public relations and marketing. If you’re interested, you can get more on these opportunities and more at VolunteerSquare.com. Be sure to register as a volunteer for our free e-alerts that will let you know in real-time about volunteer needs in your community.
