The History of Celebrate Kids

Celebrate Kids, Inc. was founded by Kathy Koch, Ph.D., in July 1991 in Fort Worth, TX.

Dr. Kathy had taught second graders for four years, earned Master’s and doctorate degrees, and served as a university professor for seven years. When accepting both teaching jobs, she expected to stay forever. But, God showed her that He had something else for her to do.

When serving as a professor, Dr. Kathy began speaking at conventions. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed these opportunities. The format and convention energy were inspiring. Because of feedback from those who hired her and many in her audiences, she began to explore the possibility of starting a speaking ministry.

Her ideas remained a dream until she met evangelist Dave Roever, a Vietnam veteran with a powerful school assembly speaking ministry. Dave saw something in Kathy and invited her to move to Fort Worth so he and his staff could mentor her and help her establish her own non-profit ministry for parents, educators, and students. His generous offer allowed Kathy to confidently quit her tenured professorship and move from Green Bay, WI, to Fort Worth, TX.

Celebrate Kids, Inc. began operations in Dave Roever’s office building. He and his staff were instrumental in our growth and productivity. Our Board of Directors, volunteers, advisors, and staff are used by God to shape our influence, as well.

Celebrate kids began with this mission statement:

CELEBRATE KIDS reminds us that kids are precious and encourages and equips parents and teachers to help kids become:

more convinced of their value,
more positive in their attitudes,
more secure in their relationships,
more confident in their abilities,
and more energized and curious in their learning.

In December, 2005, the entire staff participated in a two-day strategic planning retreat. As we analyzed, predicted, discussed, and thought, we agreed to a new vision statement, mission statement, philosophy statement, and long-term objectives that the Board of Directors approved shortly after the retreat. It was a powerful time! Our new mission statement is: “Celebrate Kids, Inc. is dedicated to helping parents, educators, and children of all ages meet their core needs of security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence in healthy ways. Through a problem-solving framework of these integrated needs, our programs and products provide solution-focused strategies that improve their intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health.”

In July, 2004, we were honored to receive a federal SPRANS grant to provide abstinence-only education for military teens and their peers, parents, and professionals who help them. We have successfully implemented this three-year grant primarily in the Fort Hood area in Killeen, TX. Information about our approach can be found at our Authentic Answers Abstinence Alliance website: www.AuthenticAnswers.com.

In August, 2005, we became contract presenters for a local school district’s Alcohol Reduction Grant, Student Outcomes in Alcohol Reduction (SOAR). By integrating the Five Core Needs Model into the ten day curriculum we have experienced very positive results in the number of students who commit to staying alcohol and drug free.

Kids are precious and Celebrate Kids is about encouraging and equiping parents, educators, and kids.