Kiwanis International: Serving the Children of the World
Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service-minded men and women who respond to the unique needs of their communities and address worldwide issues by “Serving the Children of the World.”
Founded in Detroit, Michigan, USA, in 1915 by a group of businessmen, Kiwanis International is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Today, the entire Kiwanis family has more than 600,000 members in more than 13,000 clubs. Kiwanis clubs serve in 96 countries around the world and achieve what individuals cannot do alone.
Assist children, young adults, the aging, and the needy
Improve communities
Encourage international understanding
Kiwanis clubs also sponsor Kiwanis-family organizations for young people and adults: K-Kids clubs in elementary schools, Builders Clubs in middle school and junior highs, Key Clubs in high schools, Circle K clubs at the collegiate level, Kiwanis Junior clubs for young adults in Europe, and Aktion clubs for adults living with disabilities. These clubs teach future world leaders the importance of helping others.
Thousands of Kiwanis clubs support Young Children: Priority One –a continuing service program focusing on the needs of children, prenatal through age five, with projects in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, and early development.
With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and
UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.
This deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies
and a significant number of women each year. The effects of the disease
are excruciating — tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions
and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.
To eliminate MNT
from the Earth by 2015, 129 million mothers and their future babies must
be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage,
transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take $110
million — and the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the
Kiwanis family.
Kiwanis and UNICEF joined forces to tackle iodine
deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public
health successes of the 20th century. Now, they are eliminating MNT from
the face of the Earth. And in doing so, the project will reach the
poorest, most neglected mothers and babies with additional lifesaving
health care. The end of this one disease means the beginning of better
health for so many families.
Rewards of Membership
Through Kiwanis membership, communities are improved, friendships are built, leadership skills are developed, and business contacts are made. More importantly, the lives of children around the world are changed for the better.
Members and clubs also receive KIWANIS magazine ten times a year, enjoy access to an on-line community, as well as discounts on products and services. Click here for a list of membership benefits.
Kiwanis Trivia
The Motto: Serving the Children of the World Throughout its history, the Kiwanis name has been synonymous with endeavors that build character, knowledge, commerce, communities, and–through genuine concern for children–hope. Kiwanis is Serving the Children of the World.
Brief history of Kiwanis
The first Kiwanis club was organized in Detroit, Michigan. The group received a charter from the state of Michigan on January 21, 1915, and this is regarded as the birth date of Kiwanis.
The first clubs were organized to promote the exchange of business among the members. However, even before the Detroit club received its state charter, the members were distributing Christmas baskets to the poor. A lively debate ensued between those who supported community service as the Kiwanis mission and those who supported the exchange of business. By 1919, the service advocates won the debate.
Kiwanis became international with the organization of the Kiwanis club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916. Kiwanis limited its membership to the United States and Canada until 1962, when worldwide expansion was approved. Since then, Kiwanis has spread to all inhabited continents of the globe.
Objects of Kiwanis
To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life.
To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business, and professional standards.
To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.
[LACES Kiwins] Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies Kiwin's Club
CAYP is proud to support the LACES KIWIN'S as their sponsoring Kiwanis
club. LACES (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) is a high
achieving charter school in Los Angeles with a very active KIWIN'S
club. With a membership of over 22 high school students, this club has
provided manpower and dedicated time to organize and support events at
their school and other organizations, such as AIDS Project Los Angeles,
Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Hallmark Cheviot Hills. LACES
KIWIN'S is also very active with the divisional and district levels of
the Kiwanis Family organization, with attendance at events such as Fall
Rally and District Convention.
For more information about LACES Kiwins, contact us.