Stand Up for Kids

ST. PETERSBURG - They call themselves a couple, even though they are only teenagers, and their home is on the streets of St. Petersburg

They don't want to use their real names, so we will call them "Sara" and "Bob."

"Sometimes I think that there's barely anyone out here who helps. I think that most people don't really care about the homeless," Sara says.

Seventeen-year-old Sara has been homeless off and on since she was fourteen. She's from a dysfunctional family.

"I was living with my dad and he chose to go down the wrong path," Sara said.

Jimmy is also 17. He's been homeless for the past six months. He lost his job and couldn't pay the rent.

"It's really rough. It's a hard way of living, and depending what kind of personality you have, it can get to you. It can take you down emotionally. It's hard," Jimmy says.

Donna Williams is trying to help. She is the executive director of Stand Up for Kids , a non-profit group helping homeless youth with basic needs.

"It's a niche that's fallen through the gap, and we are here. Our mission is to fill that need for them," Williams says. "We come out, we meet with the kids, we talk with them, counsel them. If we can bring them clothes, hoodies, shoes, food kits, hygene kits, anything that they need."

Stand Up for Kids was started 20 years ago. With programs in 31 states, it tries to aid kids who have nowhere else to go, and nobody they can rely on.

"Florida is one of the highest priority states, so it's very difficult for young youth to be on the streets. Especially in Florida. It's difficult anywhere, but especially in Florida," Donna says.

Wood says the fallout from a bad economy adds stress on families, and leads to breakdowns, and eventually life on the streets.

Stand Up for Kids patrols known neighborhood areas where homeless kids roam without shelter.

Sarah and Bob each receive a small care package: a toothbrush and paste, a bar of soap, and other sanitary products. Things they can't afford. Gifts from a dedicated group of volunteers who wish they could do more to help them survive.

Stand Up for Kids is working to eventually build a community support center for homeless kids.