Kickstart Kids

This article is about the charity. For other uses, see Kickstart (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Kickstart Kids International.
Kickstart Kids
Motto Character through karate
Formation August 16, 1990 (1990-08-16)
Type Non-profit organization
Purpose Building strong moral character in our youth through martial arts
Headquarters 10260 Westheimer Rd. STE 340
Location
Area served
Global
Membership
Middle school &
High school students
Official language
English
Founder
Chuck Norris
Key people
Chuck Norris, co-chair
Gena Norris, co-chair
Staff
87
Website http://www.kickstartkids.org/

Kickstart Kids is an anti-drug non-profit organization, formed by Chuck Norris on August 16, 1990 as the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation.

History

On August 16, 1990, the Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation (dba KICKSTART KIDS) was formed by Chuck Norris. He wanted to provide a martial arts program that came at no cost to the students, a program that would teach kids all the valiant traits the martial arts has to offer.

In 1992, with the help of former President George H.W. Bush, the program was officially implemented in four schools in the Houston area: Burbank, Central, Hamilton, and Hogg.

Today, the program operates in over 50 schools in the Houston, Dallas, Galveston, Linden-Kildare, and Austin areas of Texas. They currently serve over 8,000 of today's youth, making a positive impact in their lives by teaching character through karate.

In 2003, the foundation was renamed to KICKSTART KIDS (it still maintains its official name as Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation, but now it has added a "dba" – doing business as – Kickstart Kids).

The stated mission of KICKSTART KIDS is to give middle school students the tools and support necessary to resolve conflicts, avoid participating in gangs, choose a drug-free lifestyle, resist negative peer pressure, remain in school until they graduate, while achieving a higher level of academic success and ultimately becoming productive members of our communities.

External links


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