There are an abundance of non-profit organizations and charities around the United States who do amazing work in their communities each day. Kids Helping Kids Succeed is one that stands out as a uniquely organized and supported group because it is run solely by children and their families – hence, the name.
Kids Helping Kids Succeed, founded by mother, model, and entrepreneur Debbie Aquino in 2012, was created with the goal to provide resources for homeless children throughout Florida. Since then, it has expanded far beyond this initial objective by providing children in underserved areas of Florida with the tools necessary for success. This includes school supplies, mentoring, group activities, art programs, and celebrating important milestones such as birthdays and graduations.
Debbie’s idea to create a charity like this came to her when her son was doing a school project in which they found out that there were about 50,000 children living in homeless shelters throughout Florida. This astonishing realization moved Debbie to take action and make a difference in her community. Debbie had grown up with a mother who taught her the importance of giving back to people in less fortunate situations, so this came very naturally to her. When she saw the opportunity to do this in Florida alongside her own children, she jumped head first into this philanthropic adventure.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Debbie decided to begin Kids Helping Kids Succeed and teamed up with other moms from local schools to achieve their mission of giving kids the resources they need to live and thrive. This past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity’s mission expanded even further by providing essential food and diapers to families who have children with special needs.
Additionally, Kids Helping Kids Succeed has taken things another step further by helping children who have survived natural disasters. The organization donated food, clothes, and toys to children in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and delivered medical supplies for children in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.
Kids Helping Kids Succeed continues to raise the bar as a charity organization, and it’s sure to make a difference in the lives of children and their families for many years to come. In the future, Debbie hopes to create a youth center for the charity that provides a fun and safe space for kids to play and learn.
“I’d love to be able to open my own youth center,” says Debbie. “I already have the plans and the land. I just need more fundraising to be able to break ground.”
If you would like to donate to Kids Helping Kids Succeed, head to kidshelpingkidssucceed.net to learn more about how you can make an impact in the lives of children who live in the Kendall, Hialeah, Bay Harbor, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties in Florida.
We encourage you to keep up with Debbie Aquino on her Instagram and website.
