Rick Stevens first heard about Kidz2Leaders during a season when he was praying about how to meaningfully invest his time and resources during his retirement. He knew he wanted to serve vulnerable children through a ministry with a proven impact. After hearing K2L staff share about the mission, “every box was checked.”
Still, Rick wanted to see the ministry firsthand. He visited Camp Hope, spending several days sitting in on meals, watching activities, and getting to know the campers and volunteers. “I walked away from that week knowing this was where I was going to get involved,” he says. “Looking back, I can see how God had been preparing my heart for this.”
Rick’s passion for vulnerable children didn’t appear overnight. He credits it to the example set by his parents, who modeled faith, integrity, and compassion. These values led Rick and his wife, Beth, became foster parents. Over a span of ten years, they cared for seventeen babies in their home.
“It opened our eyes to the brokenness in the world,” he reflects. “I knew I had to get involved with vulnerable kids, and that this was where God was asking me to give back.”
Over the years, Rick has served as a cabin leader at Camp Hope, volunteered at retreats and Hope4Christmas, and spent four years as a business coach with the intern program. Along the way, he formed lasting relationships with campers and families. He now serves as chair of the K2L board. He says,“We are blessed with incredible staff and leaders. It’s a real privilege to serve.”
Rick and Beth began giving to Kidz2Leaders as soon as they learned about the organization, and today it is their primary charitable investment. For them, generosity is not an afterthought—it is a long-established family value. They have tithed since they were married and planned intentionally to sustain giving through their retirement years.
Much of their support is given through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), which allows them to set aside charitable dollars during higher-income years and distribute them over time. “I recommend DAFs to anyone who has good income years,” Rick says. “It becomes a source of ongoing giving.”
They also plan to give future support through Qualified Charitable Distributions once they reach the required age. Rick adds, “Most of us in the U.S. are wealthy from a global perspective. Many of us have an amount we can give each month and not even miss it.”
Rick’s message to anyone considering supporting Kidz2Leaders is simple and heartfelt: “Does Kidz2Leaders line up with your heart’s mission of giving back? If you’re blessed, it’s to be a blessing to others.”
He also points to the ministry’s proven impact “Kidz2Leaders is breaking the cycle of incarceration. Families tell us over and over the difference it’s making. Kids are staying out of corrective programs and going to college. There’s a huge need—and real results.”
“Kidz2Leaders is a great place to give your dollars because you know they’re going somewhere that truly matters.”
