By: AIF Staff
One of former House Speaker Paul Ryan’s legislative priorities while in Congress was advancing public policies to break the cycle of generational poverty. Driven by a belief that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve their version of the American Dream, Speaker Ryan continues to champion innovative approaches that support early childhood development and open pathways to success for young people facing adverse circumstances.
His non-profit, the American Idea Foundation, has issued annual grants to organizations developing innovative solutions to pressing social challenges, and one of this year’s grant recipients is Kidz2Leaders, a non-profit based in Marietta, Georgia that is delivering transformative outcomes for children and families.
Kidz2Leaders addresses a critical challenge in the American child welfare landscape. Nationally, approximately one in 28 children have an incarcerated parent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies having a parent in prison as an Adverse Childhood Experience, which is directly linked to elevated risks of chronic poverty, mental health struggles, and lower educational attainment.
Most organizations are often reactive, only helping children of incarcerated parents after problems – like dropping out of school or entering the juvenile justice system – have occurred. Kidz2Leaders is proactive and takes a long-term approach, offering a decade-long continuum of support to minimize the potential disruptions a child faces when a parent is jailed.
Founded in 1999, Kidz2Leaders has methodically grown and developed a framework of services designed to support children from age 8 through young adulthood at age 18. They make a binding, ten-year commitment to each child and family offering year-round services tailored to specific age ranges.
As Executive Director Christina Cummings told Stand Together:
“There are so many people coming in and out of our kids and families’ lives for a short season…When everything else is changing, we keep showing up, advocating for them, and seeing their potential. We value long-term relationships, and we know that makes a difference.”
A cornerstone of Kidz2Leaders continuum of care is Camp Hope, a week-long, overnight summer camp where kids hear the hope of the gospel, form supportive relationships with counselors and peers, and build confidence in new skills. Kidz2Leaders offers two sessions: one for younger children and one for teens.
Covered by outlets like WSB TV, Camp Hope provides children of incarcerated individuals with a space to grow and thrive. It provides a launch point for Kidz2Leaders’ other activities that provide wrap-around support for younger children and their caregivers. They have even created an Interns4Tomorrow Platform to help high-school aged students obtain professional skills through internship placements.
With over 200,000 Georgia children having an incarcerated parent, there is a clear need for Kidz2Leaders services. To date, the organization has helped 2,000 kids through their programming and boasts that “99% of Camp Hope graduates live entirely free from the criminal justice system.”
Additionally, alumni statistics show that Camp Hope graduates have higher rates of employment and educational attainment.
By combining wrap-around interventions with measurable outcomes, Kidz2Leaders offers a proven model for breaking the cycle of intergenerational incarceration and poverty. The American Idea Foundation is proud to partner with and support Kidz2Leaders as they expand their reach and help more Georgia children and families secure a stable pathway to success.