Natural Kids Movement

Supporting the Self-Image of Black Children One Box at a Time!

Our Mission:

Empower.

To empower Black children & youth to get to know themselves and to gain confidence in themselves with our customized and culturally sensitive care packages.

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Definition: The word 'natural' as a noun is defined as "a person having an innate gift or talent for a particular task or activity" (Webster Dictionary 2016).

Inspirational Quotes

“Black children and youth are unique in their own way”

“Beauty has no skin tone”

“Self-love is empowerment”

Our Story

Natural Kids Movement (NKM) was created in 2015 when the Founder, Takiyah Wedderburn felt frustrated with the lack of resources and services available to black children and youth in Ontario's child welfare sector. Takiyah decided to create her own idea of care packages that were culturally sensitive. Takiyah heard from current and former youth in care, they were often given a package of personal care items (such as body lotion, shampoo, conditioner...). Unfortunately, the items found in these packages were not culturally sensitive to their unique hair texture and skin. Many youths described the experience of receiving these personal care items as re-traumatizing as they would have to give these items away. This experience created feelings of rejection and made these youth feel that there was something wrong with them. NKM focuses to provide personal care items, books and dolls that are culturally sensitive and will empower our next generation of young people regardless of their experiences.

Our Impact

Natural Kids Movement (NKM) organizations has made unique partnerships with grassroots non-profit organization and local small black businesses to increase the awareness of the need for culturally sensitive products and services for black youth in foster care. NKM will educate & empower foster parents of black children and child welfare staff on how to positively support the development of a healthy self-image.

To learn more about our partners, click below

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Testimonials from local Children’s Aid Societies:

"I never knew how to care for my skin and hair before so well! I love my kit as a biracial youth growing up with mainly Caucasian influences. This helped me determine what to get my foster parent to buy me"

-female youth age 15

"I try to be culturally sensitive, but this took me to a whole new level! Worked as an education and guiding tool for me as a white woman who is a foster mom that is open to all races and cultures"

-foster mom of 20 years

"The hair sponge was so cool!"

-youth age 12

"This kit helped to spur a bigger conversation about black hair. I now am lucky to have the extensions I always wanted as a result of this kit!"

-youth female age 16

"Our society cannot be colour blind. Our youth of different backgrounds have different needs. This is a valuable resource we received that's allowing us to take the best care of the children and youth that enter our home. Thank you!"

-foster parents of 25 years

Our Programs

Natural Kids Movement (NKM) programs are designed to support children and youth in the areas of self-development and promote the importance of cultural sensitivity. We focus on youth specifically in foster care and work with schools, child welfare agencies, foster homes, families and community members.

mission

Our mission is to implement our programs and services in schools, child welfare agencies and communities. We strive to promote the self-image of black children and youth living in foster care to ensure they have the tools and resources to grow into successful men and women by contributing as positive citizens of our world community.

hair care

The hair care products in our care packages are powered by Natural Kids Movement (NKM). NKM shampoos and conditioners was created out of passion and desire to create an all-natural multi-purpose product for hair and skin care products that are safe and effective for women, men and children of all ages and skin types.

SELF-image

Self-image is the foundation of NKM as it begins in childhood. Black children need to recognize the innate gifts they possess, the importance of being proud of who you are and to love yourself naturally. Self-image is also cultural representation, black children need to be exposed to positive representation (such as books and toys that look like them!)

AUGUST 2019