Defining Issues
Whole Child Concept
Operation Kids operates on an obvious yet often overlooked premise that there is no “one issue” facing children today that is the most critical or the most urgent. Children face a number of critical issues – the defining issues if you will – that must be addressed through a community of partners and programs. Serving this “Whole Child,” and doing it in the most effective way possible, is the core mission of Operation Kids.
The most effective way to improve the lives of the greatest number of children is to clearly determine the most critical needs; then identify and support those organizations most effectively addressing those needs. This approach accomplishes three things:
- It directs funds to the most effective and efficient charities
- It provides important assurance to donors that their contributions are being used wisely
- Our belief is that is will over time, actually increase the level of donations by streamlining the entire giving process
Creating a Whole Child Committee
If we acknowledge certain “defining issues,” then we must create a process by which we define those issues. The success of the concept depends on a number of factors, including:
- Expertise in defining the areas of greatest need among children
- Skill in accurately determining which charities are truly ‘best-of-class’ in those categories, and therefore most deserving of support
Operation Kids has assembled a diverse and expert committee known for its understanding, experience and commitment to children’s issues. This group accesses the best academic and “hands on” thinking related to children’s issues, weighs the practical application of that thinking, and recommends to Operation Kids a viable community of issues that cannot be disputed.
This Whole Child Committee is a central part of the Operation Kids message. This attention to detail and sincere desire to identify the most compelling needs and most effective charities, puts us in a different class from other charities. While elements of the Operation Kids vision exists in part among other organizations, we are not aware of any organization that has placed upon itself the full burden of research, information sharing, charity assessment and qualification, combined with active partnership with all of those relationships. It is lofty mission. It is also a better way to give.