Team Kids Inc   

Founded in 2001 by Julie Hudash, Team Kids is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young people as responsible, resilient citizens through innovative school-based and community service programs. Guided by the belief in the transformative power of youth, Team Kids fosters a dual paradigm shift—changing how young people perceive their potential as impactful changemakers and reshaping the way adults engage with and support the contributions of youth to community well-being. Stemming from a compassionate response to one child's need for funds to pay for life-saving operation in 2001, Team Kids has since engaged over 350,000 students, raised significant resources for charitable causes, and gained national recognition. The flagship program, Team Kids Challenge, exemplifies our commitment to character development, entrepreneurship education, and instilling a sense of responsibility, empowering students to address real-world issues and become leaders in their communities. With collaborative partnerships and a proven track record, Team Kids remains a beacon of hope, nurturing the potential of every child to catalyze positive change in an ever-evolving world. Team Kids fosters youth leadership through in-school programs led by our dedicated coaches, supported by local public safety officers. These programs aim to teach the value of teamwork, leadership, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and civic engagement. Our Team Kids Challenge involves students planning and executing a completely student-led in-school carnival, supporting a local cause of their choice. Additionally, we offer a self-serve program model where kids can host lemonade stands outside of school to fundraise for causes close to their hearts. At Team Kids, we challenge the notion that children are "too young" to make a difference. On the contrary, we believe that when empowered, children harness their boundless empathy and dream-centered drive to effect genuine, positive change in their communities. Through our initiatives, we aim to shift perceptions, showing children their potential as change-makers and encouraging adults to engage with youth as valuable partners in community building.