How it all started...
In 1990, Pastor Bill Wilson was a 15 minute fill-in speaker during a conference in Indianapolis, IN called The North American Congress on the Holy Spirit and World Evangelization. He shared his personal story of being left on a street corner in Florida by his mother at the age of twelve, and how one man picked him up, took him to church, and sent him to camp. This was the genesis of what has become the world's largest children's ministry in the world, Metro World Child.
Bill shared stories about the ministry he was then doing in Brooklyn, NY. The stories would rivet your heart and challenge you to decide what you would do next.
Bill shared stories about the ministry he was then doing in Brooklyn, NY. The stories would rivet your heart and challenge you to decide what you would do next.
From Internship to a 501(c)3
After Janice Clark decided to study Mission at Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University), she fulfilled her required internship learning how to lead and operate Sidewalk ministry with Metro in New York. The seeds were sown for the Clark family to begin a similar ministry in Knoxville, TN.
In 1995, KICKO would incorporate as a para-church, non-profit ministry set on transforming our inner-city by equipping and empowering its children to fully realize their potential and discover their God-given destiny.
In 1995, KICKO would incorporate as a para-church, non-profit ministry set on transforming our inner-city by equipping and empowering its children to fully realize their potential and discover their God-given destiny.
Mobile in concept...longterm in vision
In 1998, a group of Christian businessmen purchased KICKO their first Sidewalk truck. This allowed the initial outreaches to multiply, while teams of volunteers visited the kids and their families door-to-door, in their neighborhoods. This remains an essential component of KICKO's ministry, recognizing that relationship is the secret sauce to effective ministry.
Additional Sidewalk Trucks would be added in both 2000 and 2008 to enable new Sidewalk Teams to open new sites and serve more kids.
In 2003, the need to walk with the kids through the crucial middle/high school years became apparent. The Junior Staff program was developed to deepen the investment made in our youth who grew up coming to Sidewalk.
Additional Sidewalk Trucks would be added in both 2000 and 2008 to enable new Sidewalk Teams to open new sites and serve more kids.
In 2003, the need to walk with the kids through the crucial middle/high school years became apparent. The Junior Staff program was developed to deepen the investment made in our youth who grew up coming to Sidewalk.
Supporting Families
Youth serving organizations often recognize the limitations when investing in a brighter future for the children they serve. Without also supporting families, the sustainable environment at home is often left lacking to help see God's perfect design for that child and family come to fruition.
In 2018, KICKO piloted a city-wide initiative to get other organizations focused on providing more family supports. This was in partnership with Rezilient Kids of Colorado Springs, CO. Rezilient Kids's Raising Highly Capable Kids parent curriculum has proved to be a valuable tool in engaging parents and supporting our families.
In 2018, KICKO piloted a city-wide initiative to get other organizations focused on providing more family supports. This was in partnership with Rezilient Kids of Colorado Springs, CO. Rezilient Kids's Raising Highly Capable Kids parent curriculum has proved to be a valuable tool in engaging parents and supporting our families.