Horton’s Kids got its start late one night in 1989 when Karin Walser, a Capitol Hill staffer, stopped at a gas station where several young children offered to pump her gas for spare change. She listened to their stories and needs and instead of just handing them money, she offered to take them to the zoo. Soon, Karin enlisted the help of her friends, and they began tutoring the children and taking them on weekly outings.

Volunteers are still the driving force behind Horton’s Kids and remain dedicated to helping the children succeed. They tutor the children in reading and math, pack lunches for Sunday field trips, deliver Christmas trees, and teach the children how to swim. Most importantly, the volunteers serve as positive role models for the children and share their passion for Horton’s Kids with others.

Every year, Horton’s Kids fine-tunes our programs and services to better serve the children and their families.  In May 2011, Horton’s Kids was honored to become the recipient of The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.