Team Kids, Inc.

About Us

Team Kids, Inc. is a mission-driven nonprofit organization headquartered in Irvine, California, dedicated to empowering children and youth to become compassionate leaders and active changemakers in their communities. Founded in 2001, Team Kids operates with the bold belief that children are not only capable of making a meaningful difference, but that when given the tools, support, and opportunities to serve, they will help build a more empathetic, engaged, and socially responsible society.

At the heart of Team Kids’ work is a suite of research-based, empirically validated youth leadership and service programs designed to foster empathy, self-efficacy, civic engagement, and positive social behavior among young people. These programs are delivered at no cost to students, schools, families, and communities, with the goal of strengthening protective factors that can prevent high-risk behaviors and help children realize their potential as compassionate leaders.

One of the organization’s flagship initiatives is the Team Kids Challenge, a six-week, school-based program that brings together students with caring mentors — including on-duty police officers, firefighters, parent volunteers, and Team Kids coaches — to tackle real-world issues like homelessness, hunger, safety, and environmental stewardship. Through this program, students participate in weekly service challenges, develop leadership skills, and organize a student-led carnival to support a charitable cause of their choice, with 100 % of the proceeds donated to community nonprofits.

Team Kids also offers Team Kids Unite, a flexible and engaging service-learning model that empowers children and families to take on service projects from anywhere. This program encourages youth to explore causes they care about, develop entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills, and contribute positively to their communities while building strong connections with peers and mentors.

Across all of its programs, Team Kids emphasizes strengthening relationships, developing empathy, and nurturing a lifelong commitment to service. By demonstrating that even the youngest voices can spark positive change, Team Kids challenges traditional notions of youth capacity and inspires adults to view young people as valuable partners in community building.

Today, Team Kids continues to expand its impact regionally and nationally, equipping thousands of children with the confidence, compassion, and skills to make a lasting difference — proving that kids really can change the world, one act of service at a time.