Building
Bright
Futures
Since 2017, with the help of our supporters, ConfiKids is proud to have impacted the lives of hundreds of children. The children in our program are able to pursue their passions, make new friends, and most importantly, grow their self-confidence.
ConfiKids' Impactful Journey
Jaden
Jaden loved the trumpet and took lessons consistently. When his family situation changed in 2019, it did not seem possible for him to continue. His mother applied to ConfiKids, and we funded his lessons for two years.
In September, Jaden’s mom let us know that she could continue paying for the lessons on her own and the financial situation had improved! Jaden continued to work hard and in December (2021) he was invited to play with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This youth program is extremely competitive to join and Jaden’s mom thanks ConfiKids for helping Jaden continue his passion the past two years!
Amerie
Here is Amerie at her big dance recital from two weeks ago. “It was amazing and it couldn’t have happened without the generosity and support from your amazing organization!” – Andrea, Amerie’s Mom
ConfiKids received a donation at the end of 2020 from the Kerchoff family, whose daughter danced her whole life. They asked ConfiKids to earmark those funds for another child in dance. The funds went directly to Amerie’s program and gave her the opportunity to dance!
Wes
“Wes made it to BoDon's first stripe and he broke the board! On his first try, he kicked straight through 2 boards.
I can’t believe how far he has come!!! I hope you know how amazingly awesome you are!!! And how much we super appreciate all you do!!!!!”
-Wesley’s Mom
on the impact of ConfiKids
Discover the Profound Impact Your Donation Can Make
Meet Sophia – A Broadway Star in the Making
Sophia Parker stood at the edge of the stage, basking in the warm glow of the spotlight. At twelve, she was about to perform for a packed audience. Once nervous to perform, she now felt excitement instead of fear—a transformation that began six years earlier, thanks to ConfiKids, a nonprofit that helped to change her life.
At six years old, Sophia's grandmother, Loretta, had discovered ConfiKids, an organization which provides scholarships for children from low-income families to pursue their passions.
Loretta had been seeking opportunities for her granddaughter, who had discovered the stage a few years earlier at her dance studio and was loving it. Sophia was begging to take more classes but due to finances being tight, adding extra dance and drama classes were a luxury beyond reach. ConfiKids offered a lifeline! Sophia was now able to add Musical Theater and Drama classes to her schedule which opened up a whole new world where she could express herself freely.
Year after year, since 2018, ConfiKids has continued to support her with more classes and rehearsals as continuity is so important to a child’s development. Though initially timid and held back by insecurities, Sophia’s determination never wavered. She embraced the mantra, "fake it 'til you make it," pushing through her nerves to chase her dreams. Her teachers, Ms. Katie and Ms. Heather, saw her potential and encouraged her to take risks, embrace her talents, and let go of fear.
Through ConfiKids, Sophia found more than just the joy of dancing and acting; she found a community and a place of comfort. Her spirit could brighten anyone's day, yet beneath her cheerful exterior, she is an “old soul”, who carries worries beyond her years. She often thinks about the future, about how she and her brothers will afford college, and where their futures will bring them. Her worries don’t end with family and friends, she is often caught doing kind deeds for strangers, who she perceives as needing help or emotional support.
Despite her worries, Sophia moves forward toward her dreams. The dance studio and drama class have become her sanctuary, a place where the weight of the world is lifted. She is eager to learn, pushing herself out of her comfort zone, and her pride is evident each time she masters a new skill, her smile beaming with confidence. With each performance, she grows bolder, going from her first solo to an invite-only theater class, and even becoming class president—Sophia is carrying her newfound confidence into all aspects of her life.
Reflecting on all she has gained—friendships, confidence, and purpose—Sophia realizes that her circumstances don’t define her. Her passion, resilience, and the support of those who believe in her, are what shapes her journey. Inspired to give back, she began volunteering with ConfiKids, helping at events and raising funds so others could pursue their dreams just as she had.
Sophia Parker is no longer the quiet girl from a small neighborhood; she is a dancer, an actress, and a dreamer. As for her dreams? She’s aiming for Broadway and a leading role in a blockbuster film. A dream she would have never even thought possible had she not been given an opportunity.
Meet Isabella – Shining Bright While Dancing!
Isabella is just seven years old, but she has already experienced many more challenges than most adults will ever face. Born with cortical blindness, Isabella has a narrow field of vision. She is legally blind. Isabella also has hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone. She struggles with balance and coordination, exerting extra effort for every move. Isabella is also on the Autism spectrum, making it difficult for her to connect with peers and fit in socially.
Despite all of this, Isabella was a very bold and confident child. Her mom Elizabeth describes Isabella as being an early walker, always climbing on everything, and dancing up and down the grocery store aisles. But in 2019, Isabella retreated. She became quiet and withdrawn after witnessing domestic violence. She no longer had a spring in her step and she stopped dancing completely.
Elizabeth, now a single mother of two children, both of whom have ongoing medical conditions, struggles financially. With no monetary support from the father, and mounting medical and legal bills, Elizabeth can’t afford anything extra for her children.
When Elizabeth learned about ConfiKids, she applied and was awarded funding for Isabella to dance. At the time, she didn’t fathom the impact. Isabella loved to dance as a toddler, but her mom was worried about her coordination and muscle strength as she got older.
Yet, Isabella is not just dancing again, she is THRIVING! The challenges did not stop Isabella, and once she put on her dancing shoes, her love of dance returned. Isabella attends Harney Pender Keady (HPK) studio in Walpole and is learning Irish Step Dance. Elizabeth is amazed at Isabella’s accomplishments. Her love for dance and bright smile have returned. She practices nonstop and even tries to teach her mom how to do the steps too. And the best part, she is back to dancing up and down the grocery store isles.
With a bright smile from ear to ear, Isabella says, “Dancing is fun” and she “feels proud of herself when she learns something new.” Liam Harney, the director at HPK says, “Any program that helps a child participate in an extracurricular activity is a fantastic thing. Schoolwork is great, but it is through extracurriculars that children find their passions. For it to be available for more kids is just awesome”.
Elizabeth and Isabella want to share their story because they know the impact of this class goes far beyond just learning a new dance routine. Mom says, “Dancing is something that brings Isabella peace and joy every week. She’s excited about it, and she feels included at HPK, even when she is excluded from so many other things. Isabella went from being uncomfortably shy to being rather bold and confident. She’s had so many obstacles in her young life, but she perseveres and just keeps going. I really hope more people will donate to ConfiKids so more children can have these great experiences.”
With support from our community, ConfiKids will be able to help more kids like Isabella. Please support our mission and the rising demand to provide children with the gift of extracurricular activities. It is a gift that will last a lifetime!
