View source for Kickstart Kids

{{about|the charity|other uses|Kickstart (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Kickstart Kids International}}
{{Infobox organization
|image        = 
|alt          = <!-- alt text; see [[WP:ALT]] -->
|caption      = 
|map          = <!-- optional -->
|formation    = {{Start date and years ago|1990|08|16}}
|extinction   = <!-- date of extinction, optional -->
|type         = [[Non-profit organization]]
|status       = <!-- ad hoc, treaty, foundation, etc -->
|purpose      = Building strong moral character in our youth through martial arts
|headquarters = 10222 Westheimer Road
|coords       = <!-- Coordinates of location using a coordinates template -->
|language     = English
|founder      = [[Chuck Norris]]
|leader_title = CEO
|leader_name = [[Chuck Norris]]
|key_people=[[Chuck Norris]], co-chair<br> Gena Norris, co-chair
|main_organ   = 
|parent_organization = 
|affiliations = 
|budget       = 
|remarks      =
|name         = Kickstart Kids
|bgcolor      = <!-- header background color -->
|fgcolor      = <!-- header text color -->
|image_border = 
|size         = <!-- default 200 -->
|msize        = <!-- map size, optional, default 200px -->
|malt         = <!-- map alt text -->
|mcaption     = <!-- optional -->
|abbreviation = 
|location     = {{flagicon|Texas}} {{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston, Texas]], United States
|region_served = {{flagicon|Texas}} [[Texas]]
|membership   = [[Middle school]] &<br /> [[High school]] students
|area_served=Global
|num_staff    = 87
|num_volunteers =
|website      = {{URL|www.kickstartkids.org}}
}}

'''Kickstart Kids''' is a [[martial arts]] character development program [[non-profit organization]], formed by [[Chuck Norris]] on August 16, 1990 as the '''Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation'''.

==History==
On August 16, 1990, the Kick Drugs out of America Foundation ([[Doing business as|dba]] Kickstart Kids) was formed by martial artist, actor and philanthropist, Chuck Norris.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chucknorris.com/biography.htm |title=Official Home of Chuck Norris |accessdate=2016-02-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217022709/http://chucknorris.com/biography.htm |archivedate=2016-02-17 }}</ref> He wanted to provide a martial arts program that came at no cost to the students, a program that would teach kids all the valiant traits the martial arts has to offer.

In 1992, with the help of former [[U.S. President|President]] [[George H. W. Bush]], the program was officially implemented in four schools in the Houston area: Burbank, Central, Hamilton, and Hogg.
 
Today, the program operates in over 59 schools throughout Texas. The program is taught in mostly middle/junior high schools and some high schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6607 |title=Rating for KICKSTART KIDS |publisher=Charity Navigator |date= |accessdate=2017-04-25}}</ref> They currently serve more than 9,500 of today's youth, making a positive impact in their lives by teaching character through karate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/children-and-youth/kickstart-kids-in-houston-tx-8142 |title=No Report Found |website=Bbb.org |date= |accessdate=2017-04-25 |archive-date=2013-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013221312/http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/children-and-youth/kickstart-kids-in-houston-tx-8142 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2003, the foundation was renamed to Kickstart Kids (it still maintains its official name as Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation, but now it has added a "dba" – doing business as – Kickstart Kids).

The stated mission of Kickstart Kids is to teach character through karate to empower youth with core values, such as discipline and respect, to achieve their greatest potential.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kickstartkids.org/about-ksk/ |title=About KSK |work=KICKSTART KIDS |date= |accessdate=2017-04-25 |archive-date=2017-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071326/http://www.kickstartkids.org/about-ksk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kickstart is a center for kids to defend themselves at any moment in need.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|www.kickstartkids.org}}

{{Chuck Norris}}

[[Category:Chuck Norris]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Texas]]


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