History

The inspiration for founding Kids Korps USA came from a desire to make children more aware of their environments and provide them with opportunities to contribute to the positive welfare of their communities. Kids Korps USA operates on the premise that volunteering encourages children to care about the world around them, and thus has a positive influence on the shaping of their lives. Mobilizing children to give something back helps their communities and the kids themselves, boosting their self-esteem and combating boredom - two of the biggest factors, experts say, in reducing youth violence. Given the right opportunities and strong, positive leadership, our youth discover their talents and skills to help others in their community.

In 1995, Kids Korps USA started out using the Peace Corps as a model. Co-founder Joani Wafer and a group of moms from San Diego, California brought neighborhood kids to a nursing home to visit the elderly, while Co-founder Dawn Lehman recruited kids from North Carolina Boys & Girls Clubs to serve meals to the needy. Through word of mouth and the media, membership grew and many more families joined.

Today, Kids Korps USA is thriving in several states and enlists thousands of young volunteers. With requests for chapters throughout the country, Kids Korps USA is training chapter leaders regularly.

Achievements

Since 1995, Kids Korps Milestones
17,000 members: youth, teen and parents
560,000 volunteer service hours
Over $1 Million of Labor/In-Kind Value
220,000 recipients of Kids Korps services
26,000 care bags for youth in foster care
22,000 blankets made for youth
4,500 community service projects
625 bikes for low-income children
55 homes built
8 States served: California, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York