ALICE'S  KIDS

alice'skids.org

Every day, too many children are shamed because they cannot afford a prom ticket, field trip fees, back-to-school clothes, summer camp, instrument rentals and other items or services that more fortunate peers take for granted. Their self-esteem suffers and that can affect them in many negative ways. Responding to thousands of requests from teachers and social workers across the country, Alice’s Kids gives children a lift by paying for these items - and we do so in a way that avoids shaming the child or their parent.

Alice’s Kids preserves a child’s dignity with anonymous, guilt-free assistance.

Alice’s Kids has a national network of teachers, social workers, police staff and others who, upon identifying a child with a specific need, send us a request for help. If the request is approved, we either mail a check to the appropriate entity or electronically send a gift card to the requestor, who can pass on the good news to the caregiver.

To avoid shaming the child, Alice's Kids sends the check or gift card to the requestor, who then passes it on to the child's caregiver.  The caregiver can then proudly announce to the child that they're getting their desired item or service! This process helps preserve the dignity of the child and gives the caregiver the opportunity to “shine.” In addition, in the case of a gift card, this approach allows the child to actually go to the store and pick out the item (a bike, baseball glove, tennis shoes) that they desire.