The principle core of the Kiwanis mission is the belief that the most effective way to enhance a community is to enhance its children. When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things will happen.
Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs:
Kiwanis clubs sponsor Kiwanis-family organizations that provide young people and adults with opportunities to perform community service and develop leadership skills. K-Kids clubs in elementary schools, Builders Club in junior high and middle schools, Key Clubs in high schools, Circle K clubs at the collegiate level, Kiwanis Junior clubs for young adults in Europe, Aktion Clubs for adults living with disabilites, and Key Leader, a youth development leadership program, reach out to those in need and develop future generations of leaders. K-Kids, Bring UP Grades (BUG) and Terrific Kids are all part of the Kiwanis Kids program to help develop self esteem, leadership skills, morals and standards, and respect for others at an early age.
Young Children: Priority One:
The needs of young children are Priority One at Kiwanis. But those needs vary from country to country, and from community to community. Kiwanis urges local clubs to identify and act on the needs of young children within their communities. Crucial areas for Young Children: Priority One projects include:
- parent education and support
- safety and pediatric trauma
- childcare and development
- maternal and infant care
Worldwide Service Project:
One project can change the face of the world, as it is with Kiwanis International's first-ever worldwide service project: the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). IDD is the world's leading, preventable cause of mental retardation. Since 1994, more than US$80 million has been invested through Kiwanis initiatives in partnership with UNICEF, saving millions of children in more than 80 countries from being born mentally disabled. And with local investments and grants, it's projected that IDD will be virtually eliminated.