FAQ
What exactly does Street Kids International do?
Street Kids International provides training resources and workshop curriculum to youth workers around the world. We educate youth workers on how to use our Street Business, Street Banking and Street Health programs in partnership with youth organizations around the world. Youth workers then deliver these trainings to street kids in their communities. As a result, these street kids become equipped to make safe, smart decisions regarding drug use, sexual health, and how to support themselves and better their lives.
Does Street Kids International say that children should work?
No. We recognize that street-involved youth and other marginalized children are forced to work in dangerous or illegal situations to provide for their basic needs. To respond practically to this reality we have developed livelihood programs that enable them to earn a steady income in healthy and safe ways.
Where does Street Kids International have offices?
Street Kids International is a registered charity in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our operations are based in Toronto (Canada) and London (UK).
Instead of having field offices, we support and partner with youth organizations in the countries we actively deliver training. We work with theselocal agencies to deliver programs most appropriate to their regions. We travel and communicate internationally to support these partnerships.
Does Street Kids International fund overseas organizations?
Street Kids International works actively with local organizations in partnership but does not operate as a funding organization. To become engaged with Street Kids International, most local partners have established relationships with us, explored our tools and are keen on adding their own experience to our materials. To turn a relationship into a partnership, we co-develop a proposal and submit it to potential funders for consideration. We are always interested in hearing from organizations with similar mindsets and passions for bettering the lives of street youth, but are unable to fund projects directly.
Do you give street kids money to start their own businesses?
Our programs give youth the skills and knowledge required to start their own businesses. When funding permits, youth who have developed business plans are provided with credit or start-up capital. In some instances, we have linked with local microfinance institutions to allow lending independent of us.
Do you work in North America?
Though we primarily deliver our programs internationally, we have delivered a number of innovative programs in Canada.
Streetjibe was a three-year Canadian pilot project funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and based in York Region, Ontario, active from 2007 until 2010. This program brought together diverse local organizations that work with youth at risk, in order to share knowledge and skills.
As a result of a series of webcasts called Street Talk held in 2007, an ESL curriculum resource was developed for Ontario high schools. This curriculum meets the Ministry of Education expectations and is currently being used by several Toronto area teachers. For more information please visit the curriculum page.
Do you help students research their school or university projects?
Street Kids International believes it has an important role in public education on the issue of street involved youth. We have resources sections on our website with various articles and research available free of charge. We are not proprietary and encourage people to share the information they gain from our resources. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to respond to individual requests for information.
Do you have volunteer placements overseas?
Every two years Street Kids International participates in CIDA’s International Youth Internship Program. The next year for intake will be May 2009.
What is Street Kids International’s legal name and registration?
Legal name in Canada: Street Kids International, Registration No. 12890 7870 RR0001
Legal name in US: Street Kids International, Registered as a 501 (c) 3 No. 22-3257716
Legal name in the UK: Streetkids International UK, Registration No. 1125483 Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England & Wales, No. 06617629
Where do you get the money to do your work?
We receive support from government, corporations and foundations and individuals. In 2007, the breakdown was 16 per cent from Government, 33 per cent from Foundations and Corporations, and 51 per cent from Individuals. If you would like more details about our supporters, please check out our donors.
page last updated:
June 28, 2009 5:42 PM
