Most people don’t think twice about shoes, but for some children, shoes are not a given. Many of the youth we serve experience shoe insecurity. Through a special collaboration with New Shoe Day and Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar, our youth received brand-new shoes and had the opportunity to design them in their own style. With mentors beside them and guidance from the Kicasso team, each child turned a simple pair of shoes into something personal. A new pair of shoes can drastically change the way a child walks into a room, and by designing their own pair of shoes, they get to practice self-expression.
Without proper shoes, a child is more likely to:
- Miss school because they’re embarrassed or physically uncomfortable
- Avoid playing sports that build confidence and connection
- Feel “othered” in environments where fitting in already feels fragile
It was beautiful to watch laughter, excitement and confidence in our youth grow through this event and for each child to return home with two brand new pairs of shoes! Check out our Instagram to see videos from this event.
