Kidz 2 Leaders

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Story Spotlight: Heather and Drakken

As we prepare to close out the year, we’re shining a spotlight on stories from K2L donors, volunteers, and families…

Heather first heard about Kidz2Leaders during a dark time in her life. She shares, “My husband was in Cobb County jail and filled out a form with Angel Tree so our son, Drakken, could get a Christmas gift. They’re the ones who told us about Camp Hope. I was invited to an orientation meeting, but I almost didn’t go, because I was so scared…”

“I was in the throes of addiction then, struggling with my mental health, and I didn’t trust anyone. Camp Hope sounded too good to be true. I know it was a God thing—God gave me the courage and strength to step out of my house that day. As soon as I met the K2L staff, I just felt like everything was going to be okay.”

Since that first orientation meeting years ago, Heather and Drakken have participated in nearly every K2L program offering, from Camp Hope to seasonal retreats, Hope4Chrismas, and family outings to Braves games and the zoo! Heather has been a part of Bible studies with other parents and guardians, and Drakken completed the Interns4Tomorrow program this past year, culminating in a trip to New York City.

As a senior camper, Drakken had the opportunity to take on new levels of leadership at camp. “All the interns got to choose areas where we wanted to lead,” Drakken explains, “I hosted the games, and signed up to help lead worship.”

Heather chimes in, “The staff sent me videos. I was so proud watching him lead worship, he just looked like he was made to do that. Seeing him grow in his faith, his decision to be baptized—that’s what is first and foremost for me.”

When asked if they had a message to share with our community of K2L supporters, Heather doesn’t hesitate. “This is the best program,” she says. “When we first signed up for Camp Hope, I knew what camp prices were. I thought, ‘there’s no way someone out there is going to pay for my child to go to camp.’ But you’ve done it over and over again. This program is so needed. We have been so blessed.”

“If you’re considering donating, just know it’s worth it,” Drakken says. “Because people gave, I got to go to camp, where I had so much fun, and felt safe, and grew in my faith. It also set me on a path for my teen years, and I’m gaining life experience now that helps me for my future.”

View the 2025 Giving Catalogue

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Story Spotlight: Cris and Marc Hunt

As we prepare to close out the year, we’re shining a spotlight on stories from K2L donors, volunteers, and families…

“I first heard about Kidz2Leaders in college,” Cris Hunt recalls. “I was friends with Diane Parrish’s daughter, Kim. When the time came for me to look for a job, Kim suggested I meet with her mom. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it turned out to be a job interview!”

Cris served as the K2L Director of Programs for the next seven years. When her family began to grow, Chris felt God’s calling to step away into a new season. She and her husband, Marc, stayed involved in the ministry—first as volunteers, then, as donors.

“For years, we gave our time,” Cris shares. “But as life changed and we realized we couldn’t be at every event, we wanted to support the ministry through giving.”

“For us, becoming monthly donors was a way to steward what God has given us. When you set it up monthly, it’s taken care of for you, and we trust the organization to use it where it’s needed most.”

Cris and Marc see their giving as a family practice, a value they want to pass down to their children: “We involve our whole family,” Cris says. “We cast the K2L newsletter on the TV and look at it together. We read about how God is moving. For us, giving isn’t an impersonal thing, it’s a relationship.”

Their hope? That generosity becomes something their kids grow up valuing for themselves.

“We want our kids to see money as a gift from God, and something we can give back to Him.”

When asked what she would say to someone thinking about becoming a donor, Cris doesn’t hesitate: “I’ve been on both sides, as a staff member and a volunteer, and I know that Kidz2leaders is a trustworthy organization. Every dollar goes to support the families. Everything is done so well to create opportunities for these kids that wouldn’t exist otherwise.”

“When you give to Kidz2Leaders, you know the money will be stewarded well. And if you volunteer, you’ll see firsthand how lives are being changed.”

As we close out the year, would you consider supporting Kidz2Leaders as a monthly donor?

Your gift isn’t just funding a program, it’s opening doors and changing lives. And like Cris says, it’s not just about generosity, it’s about what (and who) your heart is turned toward.

“Like anything else,” Cris says, “we have to be intentional. Be intentional with our time and our giving. It shapes your family, and connects you to something so much bigger.”

View the 2025 Giving Catalogue

Make an Online Donation

Hope4Christmas: an invitation to give, serve, partner and pray!

Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior at Hope4Christmas, our annual Christmas celebration, where the families in our program will be served a meal, connect through fun activities, spend time in worship, receive personalized gifts, and hear a gospel message.

Will you help us spread hope this Christmas? We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers to give, prepare, serve, and pray. This is one of our most popular events of the year, so reserve your spot today! 

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Khalil’s Story

We recently had the opportunity to hear from Khalil Payne, one of our Kidz2Leaders program Alumni! He shared about his journey toward becoming a musician, the impact of Kidz2Leaders in his life, and his hopes for the future. We’re excited to share his story with you in his own words… 

“My name is Khalil, I’m a sophomore at the University of North Florida. When I was in fourth grade my mom told me I was going to camp, and to pack up my stuff for five days. It was my first time at camp, I didn’t know what to expect, but I completely loved it. I was looking up to these counselors who were probably the age I am now, and I thought they were the coolest people in the world. We went rock climbing, and it was just so fun, I remember it vividly.

I kept coming back to camp every year. And, every year, I’d cry when it was time to leave, because I was bonding with these people, but I knew I’d see them again the next summer. Eventually I moved up to the leadership training camp, and then the Interns4Tomorrow program for two years, and then became a counselor.

When I was in sixth grade, I decided to try orchestra. They had violin, viola, and cello base. I didn’t like violin, my hands felt so scrunched up holding it. Viola was the same. When I got to the cello, I was nervous because it was huge and I had to stretch my whole body out to play the instrument. I had no idea what I was doing, but I felt an instant connection. It was like I could channel my emotions through it.

A lot of people tell me that I’m extremely expressive in how I play. I make it a personal performance every time I get on stage. When I was nine, my biological mom was murdered. It was traumatic for me, and I was sad for a long time. There were so many days when I’d pick up the cello, not to practice technique, but I’d just do what sounded right until I learned to play a whole song by ear. Then I’d put feeling into it. Every time I play, I’m telling my story.

Now that I’m in a college, a lot of the musicians around me are extremely atheist and denounce Christianity. I felt a little further away from God, being so surrounded by negativity. But I found a Christian ministry on campus and started hanging out with them. It made the campus feel smaller. And I’m glad I made the decision to come back here to camp, because I feel a lot closer to God.

I’ve been coming to Camp Hope for a decade now, and I want to come back and serve at camp. Everyone here has a similar story to mine. The thing I keep thinking about is that the way our lives started is kind of rough, but it’s the coolest comeback story. Putting the effort in is valuable—You could literally change the lives of these kids. And then they’ll want to come back and do it for someone else. Ten years from now, the impact could be huge, it reaches even further than Camp Hope.”

We are so proud of Khalil, and all he’s overcome and accomplished. And we are grateful to be part of his story! 

A Record-Breaking Number of New Campers

We welcomed a record-breaking number of first-time campers at Camp Hope 2023! This year we received applications from 170 families to join our program, representing 500% growth over previous years.

Due to capacity limitations, we were able to accept just over 40% of applicants, using a computer generated randomization process to ensure applications were selected fairly. Our new campers had their first Kidz2Leaders experience at camp this summer, and we are so excited to continue to serve them throughout the year!

We look forward to expanding one day and seeing programs like our replicated across the country. Until then, we are grateful to serve each child and family in our programs. We are committed to fostering long-term, meaningful relationships and offering the tangible and spiritual support our campers and their families need, so they can thrive!

 

Corelle’s Story

We recently had the opportunity to hear from Corelle Hill, one of our Kidz2Leaders program Alumni! She shared about recent accomplishment of graduating from Georgia State University with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, the impact of Kidz2Leaders in her life, and her hopes for the future. We’re excited to share her story with you in her own words… 

 

“I’m very close with my family. When I was a child, my dad was incarcerated. My mom did her best to take care of us. She showed me what it means to keep going with hard circumstances. I remember one day she told us we were going to camp! My dad had heard about Camp Hope and signed us up. Once we entered the program, it was life changing. We had a lot of support.

After I completed the camp leadership program, I went on to be a part of Kidz2Leaders’ Interns4Tomorrow program. That was the start of my professional journey. It gave me real-world work experience and impacted my outlook on life. That was also when I met my business coach, Melissa Davis.

I’ve always been very driven in school. My parents instilled great values in me, and I’ve always known striving to do your best was important. But the decision to go to college was confusing in some ways. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t know what to look for on school tours or what to major in. Melissa Davis was there for me from the beginning. She got me my first laptop. She also suggested that I major in business management.

I learned so much from my program! Getting my degree was an accomplishment, and I’m glad to know I’ll be able to support my younger siblings as they pursue their education. As I look to the future, I hope to establish my career within a reputable company with a great work environment. I want somewhere I can grow and develop professionally and make connections. I’m definitely interested in furthering my education one day. And I hope to be a role model for someone coming behind me, just like the people who impacted me when I was young.

I’m so thankful to have had Kidz2Leaders in my life. If the mission of this organization resonates with you, I would encourage you to get involved, to donate, and to pass the message along! We all need a community to lean on—that’s what this organization has been for me, and I believe it will impact your life too.”

We are so proud of Corelle, both in her accomplishments and her character. It’s been a privilege to be part of her story and we continue to cheer her on in her next steps in life as part of the K2L alumni community!