EDMONTON

Programs

Kids Up Front offers two programs:

Can't Use Your Ticket? is our trademark program and it's about redistributing unused tickets.

Having seats sit empty at any event, whether it's a hockey game, concert or live theatre production, doesn't make sense when there are so many who can benefit from the experience. Kids Up Front redistributes unused tickets fairly and efficiently through its partnerships with child-serving charitable agencies. There is never a charge for this partnership. 

The positive impacts on our target audience is enormous. Kids are dreaming the "possible," experiencing interaction with their peers and having the opportunity to bond with their families.

Kids Count! is an event-based program that provides kids with opportunities that can have life-long impact. Kids Up Front has sent hundreds of kids on special outings, including horseback riding trips, behind-the-scenes outings, skating parties, and summer camps.

Giving kids an opportunity to participate in activities and achieve their goals, while learning how to work with one another builds trust, self-esteem and confidence -- skills that are essential for a healthy, balanced life.

We know our programs are making a difference. We've received thousands of thank you cards, pictures, letters and e-mails from agencies and kids who've experienced an opportunity courtesy of Kids Up Front and our partners. For some, it's been the thrill of attending their first-ever hockey game. For others it marks a turning point in their lives.

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What kids need

Several components are needed for kids to thrive in their environment, and eventually grow into caring adults. While our partner agencies provide the necessities of food, shelter, clothing, and counselling, Kids Up Front provides nourishment of the spirit. It's a key component for developing self-esteem, shared family experiences and a positive quality of life.

Kids Up Front offers kids and families opportunities that allow them to safely explore the world around them, and experience the things that so many of us take for granted. Showing them the possibilities opens the doors to new expectations and reachable goals.

Still, many risk factors exist that can bar children from reaching their potential.

Poverty isn't pretty. Sadly, 100,000 children live below the low-income cut-off (or poverty line) in Alberta. This creates many challenges for families. Infant death is twice as high, death rates due to accidents, suicides and homicides are 10 percent greater and childhood disabilities, emotional and academic problems are two times greater. When often 100 percent of a family's household income is spent onessentials and there is nothing left for the "nourishment."

Physical and mental challenges create additional barriers for a child's success. But by giving them the opportunity to experience entertainment and educational events, they are integrating into the community in a positive way.

Immigrants and minorities have their own set of barriers involving social acceptance and financial challenges. *Approximately 85 percent of Aboriginal youth and approximately 70 percent of youth with English as their second language drop out of school, compared to the national average of 30 percent.

Kids Up Front's programs reach out to all ages of children and youth, and to their families because we believe that helping the entire family is where we can make the most impact, and the most difference. 

When chaos sometimes rules the lives of our clients, Kids Up Front is a healthy deterrent.

*Statistics above can be found in the Statistics Canada review on how to measure poverty.

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Donate your event tickets!

Can't use your ticket? Donate them to Kids Up Front and we'll recycle them to kids efficiently, fairly and at no cost. It's so simple and so incredibly beneficial to a family in crisis or a child in need.

1. Contact the Program Coordinator or phone (780) 409-2632 Monday through Friday.  We can turn a ticket around within hours. Please note that the cut-off for ticket regifting is generally 2:30 p.m. for a same-day event and 2:30 p.m. Friday, for weekend events. However, we'll do our best to to accommodate all donations regardless of any short turn around time.

2. We attach a "ticket attachment" to every ticket, outlining who donated the entertainment and where thank you letters can be sent.

3. A charitable tax receipt can be provided to donors upon request.

Please note:

• A Kids Up Front representative may attend certain events on a random basis for quality control and program evaluation purposes. Scalping in not tolerated! Strong processes are in place to safe-guard each donation.
  
• We can receive and distribute any amount of tickets, large or small, to any child-friendly event.
  
• There is NEVER a fee for our services.

Get involved!

1. As a donor:

a) Provide a cash or in-kind tax receiptable donation. One hundred percent of your gift is applied to the Kids Up Front Programs.

b) Can't Use Your Ticket? Donate your unused tickets to Kids Up Front. We'll ensure they're distributed to kids and families.

c) Host a special "signature" event, like a skating party, Christmas party or picnic in the park (the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!) Leave it to Kids Up Front, or jump right in and help us organize it. This is part of our Kids Count! program.

2. As a charitable agency partner:

Interested agencies must be registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and serve children 18 years and younger. It's a two-step process to register.

a. Read through the website and request agreement through email

b.Call the Program Coordinator at (780) 409-2632 to review the agreement and to register.

3. As a ticket recipient:

All ticket recipients must be registered with one of the child-serving charitable agencies listed on our "sponsorship & partners" section. Please contact one of those agencies for information on how to be part of their programs. (See Sponsor & Partners) Each agency has been screened and registered prior to becoming a Kids Up Front partner agency.

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