Every year, for every Bro-Am, Switchfoot choose a local San Diego organization to support. They've chosen a lot of amazing organizations over the years, and the 2008 choice was no exception. StandUp for Kids is a non-profit organization for homeless at risk youth, providing help and support every day, in cities all across America.
When the guys stopped by the San Diego chapter and filmed a podcast there, we met Kim Goodeve-Green, a former homeless kid herself who was now working with the organization.
We decided to interview Kim about the impact of the Bro-Am and her work with StandUp... and I'm going to be honest. This was a hard interview for me... not that Kim was difficult to interview, on the contary, she was wonderful to talk with... but it was more because of the things she told me. They were hard to hear. They break you. But I think we all need to be broken from time to time. So without further ado, our exclusive interview with Kim.
Land of Broken Hearts (LOBH): First, I'd like to ask you a bit about Stand Up to give our readers a clear picture of what exactly the organization does. What does Stand Up do to help kid's in need? What is the program like?
Kim Goodeve-Green: We do anything and everything we can to help a kid.
Basics: Hot meal at the center, showers, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, socks & underwear and food packs. We also provide "licensed counselors" at the center for the kids, we have legal advocates for our kids, we provide bus passes, we provide NEW clothing for kids for job interviews, and we provide apartment support for our kids that get housing.
We get them their birth certificates, social security cards so that they may have some identification. We will enroll them into school; we provide them with medical services. There is not a whole lot that we wouldn't do to help our kids. We DO require that the kids help themselves though. We don't believe in enabling their behavior. We are not a soup kitchen.
A regular night at StandUp Oceanside would go something like this: The kids come in, they have to sign in, and they have to sign up for a chore (things like mopping the floor, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, ect.) They serve themselves their dinner, and they have to clean up their plates after they eat. This is home for a few hours, so we try to teach them what a "home" is supposed to be like. We also believe that they are worth more than a free handout, so they need to treat themselves accordingly. They take pride in StandUp.... it's theirs. They don't want their home looking shabby, so they clean it up. Then a kid is free to get on the computer, talk with a volunteer, watch a movie, meet with a counselor, etc. This all happens in a three hour time frame. We are only open from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the kids have to go back out onto the streets... it's heartbreaking, but at least for a few hours, they can let their guards down and feel safe and loved.
LOBH: How did Switchfoot get involved in your organization?
Kim: This part I am not quite sure of, but I think it was through the "Glue Network". Kip and Mia of Bro-Am would best be able to answer this.
LOBH: We saw in the podcast how Switchfoot came down to talk to you about the organization. What was their response when they learned about what Stand Up does?
Kim: I have to say, I was not sure what to expect, but I was truly amazed at how genuine they all were. They were so compassionate regarding the plight of our kids and could identify and empathize with our kids stories. I can only speak for our chapter, but I think that they were surprised with how much we do, in such a small little place.
LOBH: What was it like working with the Switchfoot guys? And the other volunteers and Bro-Am personnel?
Kim: AMAZING! Everyone is so down to earth and so honest with their compassion. They are all very professional, yet so approachable at the same time. Let's face it... Switchfoot is an amazing band, yet there was never any pretense or ego present in any of them. They (the band, the volunteers, Kip & Mia) were all just unbelievable in their dedication and drive to make this event a true success! They extended themselves personally which really blew me away.
LOBH: What were the kids' reactions when they found out the Bro-Am was going to help them out?
Kim: Our kids went CRAZY!! The first thing we did when we found out was to get online (especially for the kids/volunteers who didn't know who they were) to listen to some of their music. "This is Home" was the first song that we heard. The kids turned to us and said... "THAT'S THE SONG... that explains how we feel, word for word." It explains how the volunteers feel too! Every time I hear that song now... wel... I just start crying... I will never think of anything but our kids when I hear the lyrics.
LOBH: I have to say, talking with you and hearing that... it's made me view the song differently too. I don't think I'll ever hear it the same way. Did a lot of kids from Stand Up come out to the Bro-Am? Did they help out with the StandUp booth or just enjoy the event?
Kim: We had 25 of our kids (from Oceanside) come to the event. We had a few that "wanted" to help out at the booth, but the event was for them to have FUN and to just be kids... they need the break, they are on survival mode 24 hours a day... they needed the time to just be kids. We (the volunteers) loved watching them just have a good time.
LOBH: How did they respond to the event?
Kim: I could write a book on the stories that came from the "Beach Event". Our kids... well, they are invisible. They don't come from backgrounds with a whole lot of love... that day at the beach was amazing to witness. Through Switchfoot/Bro-Am, every one of our kids received bathing suits, t-shirts, shorts, towels, etc. So for one day they actually blended in with every other person that was at the beach. They were treated like VIP's and it meant the world to them. The band hung out with them, let them get up on stage and help throw out t-shirts to the audience. I know this doesn't seem like a big deal to an ordinary person... but for our kids being acknowledge and not being judged, changed a number of our kids. We work with our kids everyday... but in one day Switchfoot/Bro-Am changed a number of lives immediately. We have already had five kids that have moved themselves forward and are on their way to NOT being homeless. This is an amazing miracle and blessing. In one day their lives changed. Their thinking within themselves changed. It was just enough acknowledgement to tell them that they are SOMEBODY... and it was because of Switchfoot.
LOBH: That's so amazing. What about the people who attended the Bro-Am? How was their response to StandUp?
Kim: Fantastic! Of course, I know that most were there to see Switchfoot... so were we! But there was such a huge support that came from the Bro-Am event... and support is still continuing.
LOBH: What are some of your best memories from the Bro-Am or the Bro-Am auction? Any stories from the day that stood out to you or were particularly inspiring?
Kim: I think the best memory for me personally was when Switchfoot played "This Is Home." Like I said before... I start crying, I started crying, the volunteers started crying and the "KIDS" rallied around and held me through the whole song... these kids don't show their love easily, but for them to gather around me and hold me... well... I will never forget this moment. It is something that I will cherish in my heart forever. It was the biggest gift I could ever receive. I am feeling the warmth right now just responding...
LOBH: That's just so incredible... really beautiful. Did the Bro-Am exceed your expectations?
Kim: WELL BEYOND... I have said this before, but I truly mean it... the money is fantastic, but the true gift is all the exposure it gave StandUp For Kids, we are a small organization, we could never get out there and reach as many people as we did without the Switchfoot/Bro-Am. Our biggest surprise is how much the kids were affected. That is something money can not buy.
LOBH: Along those lines... what was the lasting impact of the Bro-Am?
Kim: As I said before, the impact is the 5 kids that immediately after the Bro-Am (I'm talking Sunday morning) called our StandUp phone and made appointments to get i.d.'s, sign up for school, get jobs... etc. And they ALL showed up on Monday morning to do these things... and they did!!! This has caused a "ripple" affect in the other kids... and we have been rolling forward ever since.
LOBH: That is so inspiring to hear. I'm so glad it made an impact! I'd like to talk a little about you, StandUp and your work with the organization next. First, we have three questions we ask to everyone we interview to help us get to know you better!
01. What is one questions you've never been asked and the answer?
Kim: Gosh... what's your favorite candy? I would have to say it is the Japanese Gummy Candy!
LOBH: 02. What is one song you wish you had written?
Kim: THIS IS HOME. (Switchfoot)
LOBH: 03. What is the best advice you've ever been given/heard?
Kim: The journey of a lifetime begins with a single step.
LOBH: That leads perfectly into my next question... you were homeless yourself, yet you seem to have a lightness and a hope about you. How did you overcome that difficulty to be where you are right now?
Kim: To make a very long story short, I at least grew up in a "good" family. My father died when I was 11 years old. My mother went into a deep depression. I was in so much pain, I didn't know what to do, and she was not capable at the time to help me. I LEFT home at 12 years old. I was on drugs by this age and remained on the streets until I was 18. I think for me it was the random act of strangers, people who looked past all my ugliness and didn't judge me for who I had made myself on the outside. They would say things like, "You are so beautiful, why are you doing this?"
I didn't feel pretty, or they would tell me that "you are special." I didn't feel special... I call these people my "angels"... I didn't have GOD at the time but He was obviously there for me. I slowly began to question myself. Maybe I am special? Maybe I am pretty... and slowly, even in my drug haze... I began to BELIEVE that I was somebody and could be somebody WORTH being loved.
If I have a lightness and hope about me... it's because I am alive... my heart has healed, I am grateful for the experiences that I have been through and I refuse to hold my head in shame for any of the terrible things that have happened in my life. I have grown up to be successful in my own way and am now at a point in my life that I can give back... give to the kid that I was before. I have hope... because I know that each of these kids deserves to be loved, because I know that little girl I was before... deserved to be loved.
LOBH: Thank you so much for sharing that. How did you get involved with Stand Up?
Kim: My husband and I were trying to start a family. My doctor told me that my job was too stressful and that maybe I should take some time off. We were at a point financially that I could stop working... so I did. The children didn't come. I was looking for something for me to do to fill my time. I came across StandUp For Kids and knew instantly that this is what I wanted to do. I now have 35 KIDS!!! I guess we never know what is in God's plan.
LOBH: What all does your job entail?
Kim: Anything and everything that has to do with getting the kids off the streets! I guess overall it is running the center, which entails on a short version, getting volunteers, keeping the volunteers, going out and soliciting for donations. Feeding the kids, providing the kids the "tools" they need to succeed, clothing them, advocating for them and loving them all in a three hour period!
LOBH: Once kids are done with the organization, do they come back and help out with it?
Kim: We (Oceanside) have had a number of kids who have gotten of the streets and want to come help out and be a volunteer. I say no... I say no because I want them to move forward in their lives... I want them to go out and LIVE... I tell them to come back 10 years from now.
I do this not because I don't love them... but it is for their own protection. Being around homeless kids when you are newly off the streets yourself can trigger that behavior again. I believe that the kids need to go out and live for themselves for a while and then... if and when they are ready wayyyyyy down the road... come back and help a kid like yourself... but they need to gain their own footing in this world and not be hindered with the past so soon.
LOBH: What kind of kids do you receive to be helped?
Kim: All kinds. We have kids as young as 13 years old up to 21 years old. They must be homeless or what we call a Street Kid. A street kid for us is a kid that may have a roof over their heads, but their parent(s) are addicts, there is no food in the house, they are basically running around on the streets. They have no support at home and a lot of the times the kids are in more danger being home than on the streets.
Our kids are abused in everyway…they are usually sexually abused, physically abused and mentally abused. At this point I am sure that most are feeling sorry for the girls... but it is our BOY'S that this is also happening to. Feel sorrier for the boys... they carry a shame that I can not even imagine... they shouldn't... they didn't do anything to deserve it... but they do... and they won't really talk about it. They need the healing so bad.
The majority of our kids are "throw away" kids. Foster kids….that have either run from abusive foster parents, or have phased out of the system. They don't have family to turn to... so they turn to the streets. They have to do terrible things to survive... which only crushes them more... but there is StandUp and our job is to build them back up the best we can and connect them to other organizations that can help them to truly move forward. I like to think that we are the stepping stone... someday I hope that we can be more than just the stepping stone.
LOBH: Are there any of their stories you can share with us?
Kim: Their stories are heartbreaking... each one is similar, in the fact that it is amazing that there is so much suffering and cruelty happening here in the United States, in our own backyards. This is my most heartbreaking... I will call the kid "Johnnie".
Johnnie is 20 years old. Johnnie is a very peculiar kid. We noticed right away that he had some mental issues.
Since we are not an "overnight" facility, Johnnie would come to StandUp for the few hours we are open and then go to stay at an Adult Shelter at night. One day Johnnie came into the center with a big black eye and scratches all over his face. He was shaking from head to toe. We had never seen him in such a state. Johnnie has always been very meek and quiet. We took Johnnie into the office and asked him what had happened. He started crying... deep, heaving sobs... (I'm crying right now just thinking about it.) He finally let it come out that he had been raped... in the overnight shelter. Your mind thinks "This is impossible. Johnnie is a big boy... he's a man... how could this be?" I think Johnnie letting this out allowed the flood gates to open.
Johnnie in all his pain, began his story... it's so crushing...
Johnnie said it started when he was three years old... at least that is the earliest he can remember. His dad used to have these parties. He would invite guys to the house. Those men would rape little Johnnie... they would have "parties" to play with Johnnie.
Johnnie is the most handsome man... Johnnie is a good man... we realize that when the attacker came at Johnnie in the overnight shelter Johnnie was that three year old little boy who couldn't defend himself. So he became the victim again.
Johnnie is always a reminder to me to not look at the kids from the outside... but to truly see who they are on the inside... and they are just scared, hurt, little kids. I can say that Johnnie is now doing okay. He is no longer a StandUp Kid... he has aged out, but we made sure that he started receiving counseling to heal that little boy and to realize that Johnnie did not deserve any of this and that we love Johnnie for who he is.
LOBH: That is so HEARTBREAKING. I can't even fathom that type of pain... I'm crying just hearing that story. What can we do to help? What if we don't have a Stand Up organization in our area?
Kim: IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE STANDUP! I can guarantee that there is some type of youth organization in your neighborhood. I believe that all of these kids are our kids. We all need the same things. If it is a StandUp For Kids... great! You can even start a chapter in your neighborhood, but if it is not StandUp, you can still make a difference in the life of a kid.
From monetary donations to organizations, so that they may purchase the items that they desperately need to the simplest thing of going through YOUR CLOSET and donating your clothes to a needy organization. I spoke at a Youth Conference this weekend... and I ended my speech with this comment, as I will end my interview with you.
When you donate that pair of jeans... know that a kid like yourself, will be putting on those jeans... and through that simple gesture you have just begun the walk with that kid. That this kid is not walking alone, that through you this kid is now walking with God and is not taking their journey alone. This simple gesture can save a life.
We StandUp Oceanside so appreciate all of you.
LOBH: Kim thank you so much for doing this interview with us, I feel like I came out different than I went in. Thank you for all you do!
Kim: Thank you so much for the opportunity!
A VERY VERY special thank you goes out to Kim for doing this interview with us. We hope it inspired you as it inspired us. PLEASE get involved and do whatever you can to help these kids.
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