StandUp For Kids Starts Initiative in North Fulton

Imagine being on your own - as a teenager. It's not the dream come true many local students might fleetingly wish for; and that's why StandUp for Kids has been standing in the gap for at-risk youth since 1990.

The non-profit organization recently began a new initiative of its program in North Fulton to help local students from becoming homeless and providing the needed financial support to keep them in school until they can graduate.

Despite the area's affluence, StandUp For Kids found many North Fulton students had moved out on their own - most for reasons of abuse. They're living in low rent apartments, going to school, working full-time and dealing with the challenges of the adult world before they should have to.

One wrong move, whether it's of their own making or out of their hands - and their world is flipped upside down.

Some of students have been found living in their cars. Many ignore their health. Many want to better their lives and graduate and go to college or trade school, but life has given them some huge challenges in order to get there. 

The North Fulton Initiative (NFI) was established to help eligible high school students through unexpected emergencies.

Meet some of the local students:

Sam is an 18-year-old male student, attends Independence High School. He left his home at age 16. He has shared a home with several other high school students. That situation did not work out so he has been forced to live in his car. He works hard, 30 to 40 hours a week. It's paid off: he recently was promoted to manager and trainer at McDonalds; additionally he made “student of the month.”  His goal is to graduate and go to college.

Ashley is an 18-year-old female student at Independence High School. Before living alone in a low rent apartment, she lost over $900 due to her previous roommates’ actions. Among the difficult issues she's faced: her debit card was stolen, her apartment has been flooded, and she is trying to assert herself enough to deal with the legal system in order to rectify her housing situation. She works 30 hours a week at Office Depot right now, but her dream is to go to college and become an attorney. 

Kay is a bright 18-year-old female student at Independence High School. She holds two jobs while attending school, but despite that, she was named “student of the month.” Her goal is to graduate and go to college. When her roommate lost her job, the pair couldn't pay their utility bill and the power was turned off, one very cold week. Kay became very ill, so the high school principal paid the utility bill to have the power restored. Eventually they were able to “weather the storm” until the roommate found another job.

It's stories like these that inspire many North Fulton agencies to partner with StandUp for Kids, including Alpharetta Rotary Club and Grace North Atlanta Church. In addition to strong partnerships, the organization has recieved several grants, including Fulton County Housing and Human Services Department’s FRESH grant, Sawnee EMC Foundation, John and Mary Franklin Foundation and the Fulton County Charitable Fund.  

The financial support has allowed the non-profit to expand the program to five North Fulton county high schools, including Independence High School, , , North Springs High School and Milton High School.

"The social workers at [Centennial and Milton] have not identified any students yet," said Sue Levine, StandUp For Kids North Fulton Initiative chairperson.

But in an effort to make sure they don't miss anyone, the organization has increased the volunteer base to seventeen school outreach counselors.

StandUp for Kids accomplishments in 2010-2011 include:

• Number of Newly Trained Volunteers: 17
• Expansion to five high schools
• Total Number of Students Served: 26
• Number of Graduates: 17
• Number Remaining in School: 6
• (Number dropped 3)
• Scholarship awarded in December:  $1000 -1
• Scholarships awarded in May: $1000 -2
• Special Services Offered

Students being served:

• Mental Health- 6 students
• Transitional Housing – 1 student
• Vision – 1 student
• Dental – 1 student
• Medical – 2 students
• Education – 3 students
• Legal Expense – 1 student

To donated time or money to the initiative visit the StandUp for Kids website .