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Who We Are and What We Do

Hello!

We are the Kids of Cleveland Youth Organization, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Cleveland, OH. Our mission is to invest in creating a society of holistic young people who are valued and thrive in a diverse and healthy community. They will accomplish this through their civic, social, economic, and cultural lives. We aim to empower, enrich, and develop young leaders through knowledge, resources, and leadership.

Kids of Cleveland Youth Organization was co-founded in 2011 by Francisco Santiago, Gabriel Matos and Haidee Garcia. They started as an inner-city youth development basketball program teaching life skills. As time went on, they realized that there were many issues growing within the youth and the community. Issues such as poverty, drugs, violence, mental health issues, emotional issues, family issues, lack of proper education, diet and a lack of cultural identity were running rampant in the community. They decided it was time to make an impact on the whole individual and in 2017 they became a non-profit focusing on using a holistic approach to help the youth connect with themselves.

As the only Latino youth travel basketball team in the area, they continue using sports as a vehicle to teach life lessons. They also use this platform to promote healthy lifestyles and relationships with themselves and others, mold young entrepreneurs, provide employment opportunities, and give the youth an opportunity to express themselves in a healthy and creative atmosphere.

Thank you for your time, and we hope you can help us make a difference in these kids lives, and help them achieve their goals in life.

How can we help?

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Kids of Cleveland Youth Organization Standards

Be Humble

*Realize you still have a lot to learn *Recognize you can learn from anyone *Be part of something bigger than yourself *Team goals should be placed ahead of personal goals *Show empathy towards others *Put others’ needs ahead of your own. Teach others, leave no man, woman and child behind. Be honest. Be diligent. Be noble. 

Everyone leaves a legacy; what will your legacy be?

Listen

*Listen to what others expect *Listen to what others need *Listen to the correct people *Listen to develop trust with others *Be quick to listen and slow to speak *What you say should have value & purpose

Are you listening to what others have to teach you? *Be truthful *Be a friend all of the times just not some *Value what others give  

Serve Others

*Make the right decisions for the right reasons *Contribute positively anyway you can *Make those around you better *Take initiative-look for what needs to be done & do it *Build up others *Help others to reach their goals

Are others better off because you are here?

Work Hard

*Work hard to determine level of success *Work hard academically *Work hard athletically *Work hard at your relationships *Work hard when no one is looking *Recognize the greatest out work everyone *Never settle 

Do others respect the work you do on & off the court? 

Be On Time

*Always get to your destination early *If your on time your late *Gives you time to gather yourself and prepare *Don’t want to have the “that person is always late” label

Can others depend on you to be on time and prepared?

Be Responsible

*Never blame others for your mistakes *Be a problem solver, not a problem maker *Find solutions to the problem, not excuses *Show results instead of giving excuses and saying I can’t

Your actions are your responsibilities! 

Be Accountable

*Own up to your mistakes and correct them *Don’t make the same mistakes over and over and expect different results *Answering the results obtained, regardless of the outcome

Individuals with strong personal accountability will not make excuses for bad decisions. *Practice what you preach 

Become A Volunteer

When we help our children, we help our future.

JOIN US

Meet Our Volunteers

Testimonials

You do a wonderful job with those kids that need us so much, and for the people in need all over the globe. I will definitely join you as a volunteer!

Mitchell Ochoski

Chief Volunteer
It's always a pleasure to work with these guys - they know what they want and that is why they achieve their goals. The community is at the front of their missions and goals .

Marisol Ramos

Desinger
It's always a pleasure to work with these guys - they know what they want and that is why they achieve their goals. Thanks a lot for the team spirit and your work!

Jarvis Jones

Volunteer
You do a wonderful job with those kids that need us so much, and for the people in need all over the globe. I will definitely join you as a volunteer!

Rick Reynolds

volunteer
It's always a pleasure to work with these guys - they know what they want and that is why they achieve their goals. Thanks a lot for the team spirit and your work!

Christina Nagy

volunteer
It's always a pleasure to work with these guys - they know what they want and that is why they achieve their goals. Thanks a lot for the team spirit and your work!

Michel Black

Senior Leader