Why would you spend all weekend in back-to-back sessions at a conference?

Because you know that the work you’re doing matters.

Staff, supporters, and volunteers from across the country committed several days to travel to Sarasota, Florida, for the 2019 Kids’ Chance of America National Conference.

“This is good. It gets better every year,” shared Dee Jones, a volunteer from Louisiana.

The people that support Kids’ Chance know that a work-related injury doesn’t just affect the employee. The injury is to the entire family.Thus, Kids’ Chance organizations provide scholarships to the children of catastrophically injured workers. By getting a college education, these kids will be better prepared to get productive jobs and secure a better future.

Kids’ Chance was started in the state of Georgia by attorney, Bob Clyatt. Bob attends the National Conference every year.

“All these years later, it’s so fulfilling to see the good people associated with Kids’ Chance… that’s what makes up this room,” Bob shared during his remarks. “Thank you for making Kids’ Chance what it is today.”

Over the past ten years, Kids’ Chance has spread throughout the country. “I went to the first Annual Meeting,” shared current Kids’ Chance of America president, Kevin Turner. “There were 15 of us, we had 15 states, and $15,000. And look where we are today.”

At 47 state organizations and affiliates, we’ve almost reached the vision of a Kids’ Chance in every state. But having a Kids’ Chance in every state means increasing the support available to ensure that the individual organizations can meet the need.

The National Conference is one opportunity to provide key infrastructure. It has expanded to include not only critical meetings, but tangible discussion sessions, pointed keynote presentations, and an entire day dedicated to educating volunteers and staff on running a Kids’ Chance nonprofit. This day is aptly named Kids’ Chance College.

While the volunteers and supporters of Kids’ Chance are professionals, they aren’t experts in running non-profit organizations. This conference is an opportunity to learn from experts as well as from each other.

“Last time we talked, our board was a train wreck and what I took back from this conference made a huge difference,” shared Jim Werbekes, a representative from Kids’ Chance of Nevada.

One of the biggest challenges for Kids’ Chance organizations is finding kids.

“Kids’ Chance of Georgia was pleased to give out 44 scholarships this year, but we know we’re still missing kids,” shared Ann Bishop, a representative from Kids' Chance of Georgia.

Kids’ Chance of Florida scholarship recipient, Gabriela Grosso, has already paid it forward by giving a handout on Kids’ Chance to her counselor to make sure more kids can find the scholarship. “I will absolutely be involved in Kids’ Chance for as long as you’ll have me,” she shared with the group. “You all deserve a round of applause for everything you do.”

In addition to education, the National Conference includes the presentation of the Robert M. Clyatt Distinguished Service Award, given to a member of the Kids’ Chance community who embodies Bob Clyatt’s vision and commitment to the kids.

This year’s winner was S. Woods Bennett.

“I can’t tell you how humbling it is to win an award bearing the name of Bob Clyatt. He has been such an inspiration to me and to Kids’ Chance over the years,” shared Woods as he accepted the award. “You are the people that are going to make Kids’ Chance a lasting, strong organization across the country…This honor, as far as I’m concerned, is because of all of you.”

Special this year was a surprise announcement. Past Robert M. Clyatt Distinguished Service Award winner and the epitome of the Kids’ Chance mission, Jim Hudak, has decided to lead by inspiring others. He has personally made a donation in order to set an example for other industry leaders.

“It means so much that they believe in me,” shared Gabriela Garcia, a Kids’ Chance of Florida scholarship recipient. “Having a parent, let alone a whole organization, believe in you – in my opinion – drives you to bring out the best of yourself and to prove to them that the time and support they have [invested] has gone to a good cause and that I’m using it to my fullest extent.

“I know I say thank you, but that’s not enough. There are no words that express the gratitude that not only I but my family have for this organization.

“I just love Kids’ Chance so much,” she shared to a standing ovation of volunteers, sponsors, staff members, and friends who love Kids’ Chance just as much.See you next year in Nashville, Tennessee.