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Stories

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

September 12, 2023

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! 

LEARN MORE

Khalil’s Story

September 8, 2023

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! 

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

August 30, 2023

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 our most popular volunteer event of the year, so be sure to reserve your spot!

LEARN MORE

A Record-Breaking Number of New Campers

May 15, 2023

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

April 3, 2023

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! 

2023 Annual Golf Tournament: May 8th

February 27, 2023

We are excited to share that registration is now open for the 2023 Annual Golf Tournament benefiting Kidz2Leaders.

This event will be held on Monday, May 8th, 2023 at the Indian Hills Country Club. Read on for event information, sponsorship opportunities, and more. We look forwarding to seeing you there!

REGISTER FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT
VIEW THE EVENT FLYER

Address:

Indian Hill Country Club
4001 Clubland Drive, Marietta, GA 30068

 

Schedule

7:45am | Registration opens
(Breakfast provided)
9:00am | Shotgun start
1:30pm | Buffet lunch provided
2:00pm | Closing reception & awards

 

Cost to Play

>> Individual Golfer | $350
>> Foursome | $1,300
(Add a donation to your ticket or $25 to feed a camper for a day at camp, or $100 for a full week!)

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

We are offering four tiers of sponsorship at this event:
Platinum Sponsor | $10,000
Includes: Prominent signage throughout event, social media recognition, 3 hole sponsorships, 2 foursomes
Gold Sponsor | $7,500
Includes: Reception & check-in signage, social media recognition, 2 hole sponsorships, 2 foursomes
Silver Sponsor | $5,000
Includes: Reception & check-in signage, 2 hole sponsorships, 1 foursome
Bronze Sponsor | $2,500
Includes: Reception & check-in signage, 1 hole sponsorship, 1 foursome

 

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or to become a sponsor for the golf tournament, contact:
Dan Komitor
K2L Development Director
dan.komitor@kidz2leaders.org
770-977-7751
Next Page »

Before Footer

This is what it's all about. There is a cyclical This is what it's all about. 

There is a cyclical pattern that results from the trauma, isolation, and instability that comes with parental incarceration. But that doesn't have to be the end of the story for the kids we serve. 99% of our graduates are living free from incarceration. Every session of summer camp, every internship placement, every connection made at a family camp weekend, every Hope4Christmas gift... it's all part of breaking the cycle. 

Together, we're ending generational incarceration in our city. 

You can join the movement. Follow the links in our profile to learn more. 

#Kidz2Leaders #atlantanonprofit #volunteer #donate #givingtuesday
To everyone who supported our Giving Tuesday fundr To everyone who supported our Giving Tuesday fundraiser, we want to say THANK YOU! 

And if you haven't had a chance... it's not too late. Check out the link in our profile to see our progress toward our goal. We'll keep it open through the end of the month. 

Every donation, no matter the size, represents tangible services and opportunities that we'll be able to provide to families impacted by parental incarceration, and we are grateful. 

#Kidz2Leaders
99% of our program graduates are living free from 99% of our program graduates are living free from incarceration. Give to our programs today and help us end the generational cycle. 

#Kidz2Leaders #Atlantanonprofit #GivingTuesday #EndingGenerationalIncarceration
Families of inmates report stigmatization and feel Families of inmates report stigmatization and feelings of isolation. Having a parent become incarcerated is one of the top ten adverse childhood experiences—a form of trauma, which is then compounded by the shame families often feel. Parental incarceration leaves brokenness and instability in its wake. Families shouldn't have to walk alone.

Kidz2Leaders invites families into a year-round support system, providing community, connection, resources, and programs designed to form long-lasting relationships.

#Kidz2Leaders #Atlantanonprofit #GivingTuesday #EndingGenerationalIncarceration
Georgia's pison expenditures total more than $1 bi Georgia's pison expenditures total more than $1 billion annually. What if we invested in kids, providing opportunities for a new life trajectory and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to combat the effects of trauma? How different might our prison system look in 20 years? 

#Kidz2Leaders #Atlantanonprofit #GivingTuesday #EndingGenerationalIncarceration
Children of inmates are three times more like to b Children of inmates are three times more like to become involved with the justice system than their peers. That's what we mean when we talk about generational incarceration. It doesn't have to be that way! We can end the cycle by providing families with the support and community they need.

#Kidz2Leaders #Atlantanonprofit #GivingTuesday #EndingGenerationalIncarceration
Did you know that nearly 200,000 kids in Georgia h Did you know that nearly 200,000 kids in Georgia have been impacted by parental incarceration? That's 1 in every 28 kids. 

#Kidz2Leaders #Atlantanonprofit #GivingTuesday #EndingGenerationalIncarceration

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