OUR STORY 

Randy Farris, a collegiate soccer coach at Saint Mary’s College of California, goes to the Dominican Republic to visit his friend, Leslie Trautwein, and run soccer camps for kids. Upon his return, Randy receives a vision:  The college students he works with, interacting with the incredible children he had just met…

A second solo visit by Randy.  The “big brother/big sister” vision continues to stir.

A partnership is born: Kids Alive International Dominican Republic and Saint Mary’s College of California join forces to create the first Saint Mary’s Jan Term Travel Class to the Dominican Republic -  8 college students spend the month serving at-risk children for the month in the DR.

Annual Saint Mary’s Jan Term classes to the DR continue and stories about these incredible spiritual experiences start spreading  and growing amongst the college students.

God uses Randy’s friends and former students to encourage him to turn these annual class trips into a nonprofit organization that will impact even more students and more children.

In the spring of 2010, Here For Kids International receives its 501(c)(3) certification and establishes a Board of Directors.

HFK’s first logo is developed.

HFK sends its first teams abroad to Jarabacoa and Monte Plata, Dominican Republic to serve in their schools and children’s homes.

HFK’s impact quickly expands as they partner with another site in a new country- Lima, Peru with Kids Alive International Peru.

HFK sends its first team to Constanza, DR.

Through the enthusiasm of UC Berkeley students, HFK raises $4000+ to support summer camps in the DR.

God leads HFK to grow and partner with another organization in another country- Roblealto Child Care Association in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

HFK intern program launches.

HFK launches the Leadership Development Program focusing on assisting team leaders and other young adults to enhance their leadership skills.

HFK begins to target partnership placement of young professionals to utilize their vocational skills by serving with our international partners .

HFK appoints a Leadership Development Program Director.

The first Leadership Development Curriculum is written and utilized in what is to become our Leadership Development-Focused Team traveling and serving annually in Costa Rica.

HFK expands to a fourth country as it partners with Kids Alive International Haiti in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

HFK offers 17 international trips in one year, broadening the opportunity for over 200 university students and young adults to serve abroad.

HFK composes its first Advisory Board of 12 HFK alumni to brainstorm and future cast God’s vision for HFK as it grows and evolves.

HFK’s Resource Team (HRT) is created. A group of leaders that are trained to support team leaders as they prepare to lead their international service trips.

HFK launches a Winter Retreat for staff and HRT.

A new logo is created by our staff to represent our global impact.

HFK Leadership Development Directors host an Annual gathering for the Board of Directors and Advisory Board and vision cast a 5 year development plan.

First annual “Tiempo de Familia” trip to Peru.

First annual Summer Soccer Camp with Kids Alive DR Soccer Club.

Board of Directors is restructured and grows to nine members to begin a season of professionalism and growth. 

HFK’s Board of Directors search for a new Executive Director to oversee and guide a time of transition and growth (ironically amidst tremendous worldwide transitions due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.) 

Diego J. Ríos joins HFK’s staff as the new Executive Director and Founder Randy Farris transitions into an advisory role for the staff and board.

A new brand and logo is introduced to reflect HFK’s mission for global service to at-risk children through sports ministry.

HFK continues to respond to the effects of a global pandemic and develops Virtual Service Experiences to provide the opportunity to serve virtually.

Local Service Opportunities are created to impact our local communities by cleaning up parks, beaches, and trails in two different states.

“The HFK Testimonial” is released to showcase HFK’s past, present, and future.

After 1.5 years of no International Service Trips, HFK is back to traveling with our G.R.O.W. Trip to our partners in Roblealto, Costa Rica.

We hosted our first ever HFK Service Day where HFK Family helped us sort and pack donations.

We are back to hosting International Service Trips and created a recap of each one here.

We had a Vision Trip to Colombia for a possible expansion.

Our annual HFK Retreat included our Staff Members, Board Members, and Team Captains.

After over 6 years, HFK expanded to a new country with our first ever weekend-long International Service Trip to Tijuana, Mexico!

HFK participated in Urbana 22, a missions conference that allowed us to connect with many students and partner organizations from around the country and world!

A new Board of Directors cohort began at the beginning of the year.

We presented at Saint Mary’s College’s Intervarsity meeting with hopes to restart trips through SMC.

We had a second Vision Trip to Colombia for a possible expansion to a new partner site and country.

Our annual HFK Retreat included our Staff Members, Board Members, and Team Captains.

HFK participated in Global Focus Week - Liberty University’s week-long fair highlighting various service organizations.