We organize reading and mentorship programs partnering with local schools by connecting community volunteers with students who need them, and fund organizations doing the same kind of work nationwide and abroad.
Charleys Kids Foundation was founded in 2010 by Charley Shin, the Columbus business owner who opened his first Charleys Cheesesteaks restaurant on High Street while he was a student at The Ohio State University. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Charleys Cheesesteaks, Bibibop, and Lenny's creating a global presence of support for students.
Your purchase at Charleys Cheesesteak directly supports Charleys Kids Foundation by giving $.10 from every combo meal.
Foundational literacy skills that shape what a child can learn, pursue, and become as well as building a lifelong joy of reading.
A student who has a consistent adult in their corner is more likely to engage, more likely to stay on track, and more likely to believe their options are open. CKF builds that kind of presence into the program structure.
Kids who are hungry cannot focus on reading. Wellness and academic success are connected, and CKF treats them that way.
CKF supports children in two ways: by investing in community organizations and by leading programs directly inside schools and communities. This combination allows the foundation to create both immediate impact and long-term change.
The people who run the programs, answer the calls, and show up in schools.
Hilary S.
Executive Director
Every student holds incredible strengths, talents, and potential that deserve to be nurtured and amplified. Through education, mentorship, and meaningful relationships, we work to help young people recognize their abilities, build confidence and literacy skills, and see themselves as leaders.
Also, according to students, my Converse collection apparently still 'slaps,' which I'm choosing to take as a professional accomplishment.
Karlos S.
Tutor Success and Program Support Specialist
Educational barriers don't just frustrate children, they hold kids back from fulfilling their potential. Charleys Kids and our partners provide the support they need to breakthrough and overcome those barriers. We're helping these kids embrace their chances, and that's more than worthwhile.
Amanda H.
Student Mentorship and Curriculum Specialist
This work matters to me because I have a deep burden to advocate for the whole child; recognizing that social and emotional development is directly connected to a child's ability to learn.
Charleys Kids is part of the civic fabric of the region. We are members of local chambers, community coalitions, and service organizations.
The Charleys Kids Foundation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to attain their dream through access to a quality education.
From the neighborhoods of Columbus, OH, and throughout the US, to the emerging nations overseas, education opens doors for students to rise above their circumstances. With your support, we can ensure they have the opportunity they deserve.
Your participation, commitment, and contributions are essential. By working together, we can ignite their dreams, elevate their spirits, encourage their hearts, and empower their futures. Let us reimagine tomorrow's possibilities for these young minds, making a lasting impact.
Charley ShinFounder, Charleys Kids Foundation
Today
10¢ from every combo meal you buy at a participating Charleys supports literacy programs, mentorship, and access to healthy food for kids in communities Charleys has called home for decades.
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