It's All About the Kids Foundation

Angela Brannon’s business card reads “Party Girl Gone Good.” As a nutrition education coordinator for low-income families, Brannon witnessed firsthand the poverty of children in our community, which stood in stark contrast to the splashy social scene. Finally, this party girl made a decision that few people would imagine: In her spare time, she started her own charity, Partying for a Purpose.

With the financial support of entrepreneur Shawn Heyl, Brannon was able to commit herself full-time to the organization, and she gave it a new name: It’s All About the Kids Foundation. Today, the organization assists seven local charities that serve children and teens impacted by homelessness, crime, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS.

“Our goal is to create happy moments in the lives of children,” she says. “Then we teach them how to create those happy moments for themselves.” Providing toys for more than 5,000 children, It’s All About the Kids Foundation sponsors events such as the holiday party for the San Diego Coalition for the Homeless. It also sponsors the prom and helps produce an Internet radio show for students of the Toussaint Academy, the first school in San Diego serving homeless teenagers.

In an effort to increase the self-esteem of less fortunate children, Brannon has created a number of programs that connect kids with adult role models. The Difference for a Day program brings together teens and adults for sporting events, movies, camping, surfing—“fun activities all kids should be able to enjoy,” she says. (San Diego Chargers such as Kassim Osgood are among the role models who donate their time.) The Difference for a Week program provides necessary supplies and moral support for Toussaint Academy graduates who are now attending college.

As for the impact of her foundation, Brannon believes a little attention can make a big difference for these kids. She recalls one homeless girl who came to a surf camp a few years ago. At age 15, this girl already had a history of drugs and prostitution. Learning to surf, however, gave her a whole new outlook. “She realized that people really cared about her, and if she could learn to surf, then she could do anything,” Brannon recalls. Today, this girl is studying to be a nurse and entering the Army.

Finding money and volunteers for these programs is a never-ending job, says Brannon, who sponsors fund-raisers throughout the year. She is currently taking reservations for the annual fund-raiser at the Playboy Mansion, scheduled for June 30, 2007. The organization is also seeking toys and volunteers for the San Diego Coalition for the Homeless Christmas party on December 16.

For more information about donations or volunteer opportunities, visit itsallaboutthekids.org. 

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