Children

We’re a grassroots, donor and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit. Without our supporters, our Mission wouldn’t be accomplished. Flat out. If you’re one of them, thanks! If not, it’s time you got on board.

You can see hope in someone’s eyes. It glows. You’ve probably seen it if you’ve had the chance to volunteer with us. This is the hope our supporters have given so many people.

Voted Best Place to Volunteer

It’s Official: We were voted Best Place to Volunteer by Creative Loafing Tampa readers!! Thank you to all who nominated and voted. You are HOPE!

During the holiday season our Volunteer Orientation is NOT required. We would love to have you serve with us and you can click any of the options below for opportunities to be HOPE.

Mission Statement

Youth Challenge brings together young people with physical disabilities and teen volunteers who inspire each other through adapted sports, recreation and social growth activities.

Participants: 200+ children, ages 4-18, with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and a variety of other disabilities, who reside at home and attend local schools.
Volunteers: 450+ teens, ages 12-18, are trained seasonally by professionals and peers to work with children with physical disabilities.
Programs: Over 325 activities are offered year-round with adaptive sports and recreational equipment and adjustments to suit each child’s interests.
All programs and transportation are offered free of charge.
95% of participants receive transportation from Youth Challenge’s fleet of accessible vans.
50% of all participants are between the ages of 8-13.
Founded in 1976 by Executive Director, Mary Sue (Anter) Tanis, as an alternative summer recreation program for children with physical disabilities.
Hundreds of community volunteers and professionals assist with leadership, administrative and operational tasks.

Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship (CTRH) serves children and adults with disabilities by providing equine-assisted activities and therapies including adaptive recreational horseback riding, hippotherapy.

The GrowHaus is a nonprofit indoor farm in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood. Our vision is to catalyze a neighborhood-based food system in our community that is healthy, equitable, and resident-driven.

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of 20 youth volunteers who represent all of our YVCKC youth by providing a youth voice in the development of the program. YAB members have demonstrated hard work, enthusiasm, and commitment to YVCKC’s mission statement.