WHERE WE BEGAN

Working with various shelters, counselors, youth violence programs, and community resources, Operation Kid Forward supports those children who would otherwise have little representation or voice - helping to normalize their childhood experience and support their growth.

Operation Kid Forward was formally founded in 2021 by Nisha Marie Giustino. An Army veteran with a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Nisha has engaged the local Savannah community to support youth initiatives for over 10 years. From supporting women & children shelters for Christmas, to providing hundreds of back-to-school backpacks for kids, to starting the Nine Line Apparel Prom Dress Drive (where she is currently employed as the Director of HR), Nisha has always been passionate about helping children in need.

We love bringing the community together through our annual initiatives - Back-To-School Backpacks, Christmas gift drive, Princess Ball, College visits, and so much more – and we’ll continue to do so… but we have our sights set on even bigger goals! Our current initiative is to develop and execute a 2-week summer camp in July 2023, focusing on personal and professional development. We intend to offer this camp annually to youths ages 13-17 years old, who have been vetted through our community partners. Longer term, our vision is to have our very own youth community center located in an area considered at-risk and low income. The center will provide counseling, tutoring, nourishment, work readiness programs, sports, and summer youth programs. This center will be a safe place for children to gather and partake in healthy extracurricular activities.

OKF strives to always bring our community together by partnering with other like-minded nonprofits, law enforcement, local government officials, andour Military. It is our goal to ensure positive interactions and long lasting relationships.

OUR REASON FOR DOING MORE

Operation Kid Forward is an all-volunteer organization. While understanding that we cannot help every child in need, our goal is to directly impact as many children as possible to positively affect their growth trajectory. By providing support and experiences to break the cycle of violence, neglect, poverty, and low self-esteem, the foundation aims to assist in the success rate of these young adults’ development and futures.