Mission
	Rock For Kids is a non-profit organization that provides support, hope, inspiration and assistance to underserved children and teens. Realizing that music can be a positive motivator in a young person's life, Rock For Kids provides free year-round music education for children in need. Rock For Kids positively impacts and celebrates young lives by offering access to safe and constructive learning experiences through which children may challenge themselves, build self-esteem and explore their own creative potential.
Values
	Rock For Kids provides programs that cause children to feel encouraged, supported and valued. Rock For Kids believes that all children should have access to music education and be given the chance to explore their own creative potential in a safe environment. Rock For Kids feels no child's future should be compromised academically, socially or emotionally simply because of economic disparity. Rock For Kids believes it is critical that all children experience kindness, security, compassion, personal success and individual creativity, as the smallest of these may inspire the course of a life.
Vision
	Rock For Kids sees the potential for a community in which all children are engaged intellectually and emotionally, cared for with dignity and respect, and given equal opportunity to become creative, energized and successful members of society. Realizing that music has the power to transcend challenging situations and transform lives, we envision a community inspired by its youth as they develop self-esteem and confidence through access to music education. We believe children can inspire their own families, become leaders among their peers and take on the world as well-rounded and motivated individuals. Rock For Kids sees the promise of a community that values all of its children and provides uncompromising support, consistency and kindness to all of its diverse families.

Rock For Kids (RFK) was initiated in 1988 by volunteers in Chicago's music and entertainment industry who wanted to give back to the community. Started as a grassroots effort to raise money to purchase holiday gifts for homeless children. In the beginning, Rock For Kids functioned as a grant-making body, giving holiday assistance to agencies in need, and supplying Chicago's homeless children with toys and necessities for the holidays. The founders and volunteers involved in Rock For Kids shared a love of the arts, and music in particular. Many of the participants were musicians themselves or worked in the music field. And so as the need to provide stimulating activities for children living at sites benefiting from Holiday Shopping became apparent, it was only natural that Rock For Kids shift to a programmatic format, bringing free, quality music education into the lives of Chicago's under-served children. While Rock For Kids still honors its past by continuing its holiday shopping program, the main emphasis on programming is Youth Jam.

Rock For Kids is a licensed Illinois 501(c)(3) organization. Only 11% of all income is spent on fundraising costs. All contributions are fully tax-deductible.

Find out More about Rock For Kids and Youth Jam:
Rock For Kids Electornic Press Kit
Chicago Tribune Article (December 4, 2006)
UR Chicago Article (June 2008)