Kristen Witzel knows all too well how the desire to give back starts early in kids, but there aren't many options to volunteer or get involved in philanthropy at a young age.
A mother with a background in child development at the University of Georgia and a passion for helping kids learn the joys of giving, Witzel came up with an idea that would allow younger children to have an outlet to volunteer and get involved. After working with kids of all different ages and families at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, she recognized this need in the community and started Kids Boost, an Atlanta nonprofit that inspires and equips kids ages 8 through 18 to give back to their communities and the world.
"Most kids have this desire to give back and do something big and they’re all jazzed up about it, but they often just don’t know how,” she said. “And when I became a mom, I realized too that there’s very little opportunities just to volunteer. You have to be 16 or 18. And yet these kids are eager and they want to do something. After working with a couple families from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, I realized that---what if we flipped the switch a little bit and what if we asked kids, 'What makes your heart happy and what breaks your heart?' And we help them use what they love to help a cause that’s important to them … In this idea, Kids Boost was born."
Four years ago, Witzel kicked off Kids Boost. Today, the nonprofit encouraging young entrepreneurs and philanthropists has helped 125 kids who have turned $10,000 into $200,000 for local nonprofits.
“We give kids $100 in startup money and a one-on-one coach," she said. "Their goal is to turn $100 into more for a nonprofit of their choice and do it in a fun way."
On Aug. 25, Kids Boost will kick off the "Best Day Ever," a one-day event at a play gym in Marietta, created by kid participants to encourage their peers to join Kids Boost and raise $25,000. At the "Best Day Ever," you'll find trampolines, a game truck, dunk tank, jewelry making, obstacle courses and activities that will give back to the community.
"What these kids decided to do was come back and do their own event for Kids Boost," Witzel said. "So it’s a group of 10 kids that are taking every joy of kids parties and putting it into one day and one event and that’s why they’re calling it the ‘Best Day Ever.’ And their hope is to pay it forward so that other kids can participate in Kids Boost."
All on their own, Kids Boost participants have created bake sales, tennis tournaments, a dog washing and walking business, handmade bracelets and more to help causes important to them.
"At the end of their project … they get to present to the nonprofit, they get to learn a little bit about where their money is going and how they can get involved further in that organization," Witzel said.
One of the most touching experiences Witzel got to witness was when a middle school girl who struggles with anxiety and depression flourished in Kids Boost. The girl was admitted into a mental health facility at one point and did not have hospital-approved pajamas to bring during her stay. As a result, she had to wear a hospital gown the entire time, during group sessions and therapy, a "painfully embarrassing experience" for a middle school girl, Witzel said.
The girl was brave enough to speak out, and started PJs for Peachtree, where kids could come out for a poetry slam and recite poetry, sing or play an instrument to raise money to buy pajamas for kids in the mental hospital.
"She turned $100 into more than $3,000," Witzel said. "To see her get up and perform at the open mic night, even with crushing anxiety and speak up about something that typically isn’t talked about---that's just one example that I'm really proud of. Giving these kids a platform and helping them succeed, to have a voice and to do something bigger than them and to know that they can, even at 11, 8, 12 years old. That's what I'm most proud of."
Developmentally, between the ages of 8 and 14, Kids Boost's target area, kids have a strong desire to give back, Witzel said. They also typically struggle with self esteem and confidence issues, which Kids Boost addresses by giving them a cause to be proud of. Though it's unfortunate most nonprofits can't enlist these hungry philanthropists and entrepreneurs directly, Kids Boost is the way to connect nonprofits with kids who want to help---before philanthropy turns into a chore-like component of getting accepted into college. For this reason, Kids Boost will never involve mandatory activities, Witzel said. It's all about how kids wants to help.
"Our hope is to spark this joy of giving while teaching kids important life lessons throughout their project like money management and communication while boosting self esteem and courage," she said. "At the end of the day, kids are supporting all these nonprofits and wonderful causes around Georgia."
Kids Boost currently has a waitlist for kids who want to join the nonprofit, but the organization is still accepting applications.
"If you have a kid, we’d love for them to apply and participate," Witzel said. "Come out to the 'Best Day Ever,' you’ll get a feel for what Kids Boost is, and donate. Without donations and the people who believe in our kids, we wouldn’t exist. I think just getting involved, even showing up as Kids Booster, it’s a great way to get your family involved."
