Growing a generation of ‘helpers’
By Barbara Sueko McGuire
ANNIE O’ROURKE aided by children volunteering at a Larchmont Boulevard Melrose Avenue Clean Up with neighborhood association LUNA and Alfalfa restaurant.
When it comes to invasive weeds, Annie O’Rourke’s kids don’t mess around. While most children may be more familiar with mustard as a condiment, Ronan, 11, and Harvey, 9, don’t hesitate to yank up mustard plants when they see them. That’s because their mom is one of three partners behind Kids Helping LA, a Larchmont-based nonprofit that gives children fun, accessible, and hands-on ways to volunteer—including weeding at park cleanups.
“We want volunteering to feel rewarding and enjoyable, so kids stay inspired to keep giving back as they grow up,” said O’Rourke, who serves as the organization’s director of community outreach and partnerships. “Our goal is to offer opportunities in lots of different areas because we want kids to find causes they are passionate about.”
KIDSHA, the parent 501(c)(3) organization, was officially founded by Executive Director Didi Fleisher in April 2025. O’Rourke and Anne McGregor, director of marketing and communications, soon joined Fleisher to launch Kids Helping LA, the nonprofit’s first chapter. Through relationships with dozens of organizations, neighborhood councils, schools, and city officials, the group has participated in approximately 30 volunteer projects over the past year, bringing together more than 200 families from neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.
A HEAL THE BAY Clean Up event at Topanga Beach.
One way they do this is by identifying tasks within existing volunteer events that are safe and doable for children—real hands-on work, rather than something an adult must do for them. Shortening tasks when needed and bringing kid-sized tools, snacks, sunscreen, and wipes also help keep younger volunteers engaged. When possible, the group creates entirely new, kid-focused opportunities from scratch, such as its Sandwich Squad events, in partnership with The Center in Hollywood, which supports the unhoused community.
And that’s not all. Kids Helping LA has also brought children together for street and park cleanups, animal-related volunteer projects, holiday ornament-making for fire victims, and bingo with senior citizens. Beyond helping others, these activities give families a chance to show their children—rather than simply tell them—what it means to be part of a community and give back.
“Research links childhood volunteering to better well-being, lower stress, and more confidence,” said O’Rourke. “It also gives kids—and adults—a way to feel hopeful and empowered instead of overwhelmed by big world problems. And in a world increasingly online and isolating, it brings kids together with their families and friends—in person!”
Moving forward, Kids Helping LA is hoping to partner with more schools and neighborhood councils and help get local kids involved in preparing the city for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Category: People
