KHK Mission

The KHK mission is to develop leadership skills through youth-led service projects. All of our projects begin with an idea from one of our kids and are then designed, managed and led by a group of KHK kids who facilitate that project. Leadership skills are developed through hands-on learning. Membership is free and open to all middle and high school students across the country. Members can volunteer in as many projects as they would like and we offer complimentary coaching as well, for students who are interested in designing their own projects. Grant money is also possible for students who need funding to begin their project.

“I believe that each of us–no matter what our age or background or walk of life–each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”
- U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama

Our Story

Kids Helping Kids is a 501(c)3 organization founded in the summer of 2009 by twelve-year-old Lexi Kelley. Lexi received an incredible outpouring of support from friends, neighbors, and classmates after being involved in a serious car accident and undergoing facial reconstructive surgery. She was incredibly moved by this kindness and generosity and she thought to herself: “If we can continue to have lots of kids do just a little, we can really make a difference for those in need!” So Lexi and a small group of friends organized their first KHK project in order to give other kids her age the opportunity to feel the impact, joy and reward of helping others. KHK has now developed into a group of diverse middle and high school students working together, all committed to doing the same thing: improving of other kids while simultaneously developing their own leadership skills. As the team of volunteers has matured, KHK has also matured and we have had over 5,000 kids from 132 different schools involved in one or more projects. Every project is youth inspired, developed and led!