The inspiration behind our dedication to inclusion is rooted in the experiences and joys we've shared with our daughter. Parenthood has a way of reshaping perspectives, and our journey with our daughter has been a profound catalyst for our mission. We have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of representation, as our daughter lights up with joy when she sees a doll that shares her unique qualities.
Our personal connection to the cause is what propels us to go beyond merely creating products—we are on a mission to foster understanding, celebrate diversity, and spread a message of inclusivity. We believe that by sharing our story, we can inspire others to embrace differences and celebrate the beauty of every individual.
At FKBK, we are not just advocates for inclusivity; we are committed to actively contributing to the betterment of the community. With every sale of our dolls with Down syndrome, a portion of the proceeds goes towards supporting the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).
The NDSS plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with Down syndrome. By partnering with them, we align our mission with an organization that shares our passion for creating a more inclusive society. Through your purchases, you not only bring joy to a child's life but also contribute to initiatives that promote awareness, education, and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Our commitment to inclusion goes beyond the creation of dolls—it extends to making inclusivity accessible to all. We strive to keep our dolls affordable and readily available, ensuring that families from all walks of life can participate in the celebration of diversity. Your support not only amplifies the message of acceptance but also directly contributes to making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
At FKBK, we invite you to be a part of our journey towards a more inclusive world. Explore our Dolls with Down Syndrome collection, where each purchase becomes a small yet meaningful step towards promoting empathy, understanding, and celebration of diversity.
Our story is a testament to the transformative power of love, acceptance, and representation. By sharing our personal journey, we hope to inspire others to embrace inclusivity in their own lives and communities. Together, let's continue to make a difference, one doll at a time, and create a world where every child feels seen, valued, and celebrated for who they are.
]]>Miniland USA, TOTY 2022 Finalists and makers social emotional learning toys, including their award-winning Dolls with Down syndrome, has launched a powerful new initiative called Together We Play to encourage acceptance and inclusion among young children.
Together We Play encompasses the Miniland brand’s core values of tolerance, empathy, and representation, further emphasized by partners like the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and specialty retailer For Kids By Kids (FKBK).
“Together We Play is meant to easily communicate to young children that whoever they are, whatever they look like, they are seen and valued,” said Clara Roque, North America Sales Manager for Miniland USA. “It is crucial for young children to feel like they belong among the other children in their age group, especially at a young age and stage of development. In just one action, play can non-verbally communicate so many impactful messages like ‘you’re welcome here’, ‘I see you’, ‘you belong here’. Inclusive play further reassures children that not only do they have a place in this world, but they should feel encouraged to accept and respect other children who may not look or act like they do.”
Through the hashtag #TogetherWePlay, Miniland will encourage inclusion by hosting exciting giveaways of their diverse Dolls with Down syndrome, sharing valuable tips on how parents can encourage inclusivity, and making donations supporting NDSS. To kick off the campaign, Miniland and FKBK will be donating 100% of the proceeds of Miniland dolls with Down syndrome sold at FKBK from August 29th through September 2nd, 2022. Miniland will further support NDSS by joining fellow sponsors at their annual NYC Buddy Walk on September 17, 2022, as well as making additional donations in October in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Through this campaign, Miniland also hopes to shine a spotlight on the profound efforts of both NDSS and FKBK towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming world for individuals with Down syndrome.
“NDSS is thrilled to partner with Miniland and For Kids By Kids to highlight the importance of inclusivity, particularly in the doll market,” said Kandi Pickard, President & CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society. “Representation is incredibly important for our community so we look forward to working together to promote these beautiful dolls with Down syndrome.”
Retailer For Kids By Kids has long been a supporter of NDSS, first partnering with Miniland this time last year with a giveaway of the popular dolls on their Instagram page to raise donations for the organization.
“It was astonishing to see the welcoming response to a doll that is not only made well, but that beautifully represents the Down syndrome community in a realistic and respectful way,” said Alex Rivera, Owner and Operator of FKBK. “Giving back has become the foundation of FKBK, which is why we partner with nonprofits that have a positive impact in children's lives and give back to them through the sale of our items. We are so excited to do our part with Together We Play and hopefully make a meaningful difference in the way children include others.”
For more information on how you can support the Together We Play initiative, head to https://minilandgroup.com/educational/usa/dolls-usa-together-we-play and follow @MinilandDolls on Instagram.
About Miniland Educational/Miniland USA:
Spanish brand Miniland Educational believes that empowering twenty-first-century skills with multiple play experiences encourages children’s social and emotional development in the critical stages of childhood. Inspired by active collaboration, collective creativity, and continual learning and with the support of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, whereby intelligence in children is not a single, static quality, Miniland’s array of educational toys and games are made for children ages 0 to 7 to experiment with the world both in and out of the classroom. Miniland Educational’s dolls come in various ethnicities and genders, as well as various hair colors. Their dolls with Down syndrome showcase the sweet facial characteristics of babies with Down syndrome in a realistic and respectful way. In 2021, their DS collection was awarded the prestigious top prize (Gold) for Empowerment by the Play for Change Awards, organized by the TIE (Toy Industries of Europe), the trade association for the European Toy Industry. This past fall, they launched their dolls with hearing implants and dolls with glasses, further adding to their mission of inclusivity and acceptance. The 15” diverse dolls are ideal for ages 10 months and up, and additional accessories and outfits are available for extended play.
About NDSS:
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. Founded in 1979, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Engagement. Within these focus areas, NDSS engages in various activities, events, and programs on topics that are critical to our community, such as federal and state advocacy and public policy, health and wellness, education, and employment. NDSS creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan and hosts awareness and engagement events throughout the country including the National Buddy Walk® Program, the Times Square Video presentation and New York City Buddy Walk®, Racing for 3.21 on World Down Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, DC Golf Outing, the annual NDSS Gala & Auction, and others.
About FKBK:
Born out of love and inspired by her daughters, Alex Rivera’s mission for For Kids By Kids is to make a measurable difference through awareness and action. Their journey started from an idea sparked by Rivera’s oldest daughter, her co-conspirator, and was then infused with inspiration by her youngest daughter, who happens to have Down syndrome. This connection fuels FKBK’s passion for empowerment, inclusion, and awareness. Giving back has become the foundation of FKBK, which is why they choose to partner with nonprofits that have a positive impact in children's lives and give back to them through the sale of their items. They continuously assess their business model and look for ways to increase their social impact. Ultimately, For Kids By Kids is a company with a conscience and a purpose. Their goal is to make this world a better place where every kid feels included, one kid at a time.
]]>As a small token of our appreciation we are offering free digital printouts to anyone who would like one! Get your free "First Day Of School" signs here!
]]>Back-to-school is yet again upon us and For Kids By Kids is ready and excited to celebrate this mainstay of our culture with various apparel collections, including our rightfully named "Back to School."
Our clothing collections address more than just advancing to a new grade and highlighting the cool factor of science. They are all about inspiring kids, teens, and adults to be nice humans with themes that exude kindness, tolerance, and inclusion. In fact, our designs specialize in celebrating the differences that make all of us unique.
Our clothing items have distinct messages that will send your kids back to school with a purpose. And our purpose at For Kids By Kids goes much deeper than just creating witty sayings and eye-catching designs. We also have deep ties to the community.
In fact, this year, we proudly adopted a local teacher and filled her wish-list of classroom items. Loudoun County, VA: Adopt a Teacher is a Facebook group created by a local teacher to connect the community with the county's teachers and it has become a big hit inspiring other communities to follow suit! We are thrilled to be able to participate and fulfill a wish list!
We want to throw a big heartfelt thank you to you - our customers - that make our mission a reality. It is because of you that we can fulfill our mission and give back to the community! So THANK YOU!
Ultimately, For Kids By Kids is a company with a conscience and a purpose. Our mission is to make this world a better place, one kid at a time. Every child and teacher who returns to the classroom wearing our apparel sends a positive message and creates a safe space where everyone can learn.
As a small token of our appreciation we are offering free digital printouts to anyone who would like one! Get your free "First Day Of School" signs HERE!
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For kids, back-to-school is a time to move on to a new adventure and reunite with friends. For families, it’s a time to reset and return to an organized routine. However, with the disruption COVID-19 created in our lives, everyone's a little worried about the back-to-school experience this year. And everyone's feeling a little on edge regarding the protocol for vaccinated and unvaccinated students, teachers, and other staff. This uncertainty will most likely make this year's back-to-school event much different than those of previous years.
You might be wondering---will COVID rear its ugly head and have a repeat performance? Or, will returning to the classrooms and hallways be a smooth transition back to familiar routines? The answers are yet to be discovered and could be entirely different for each town, school district, and school.
But there's one time-honored back-to-school tradition even COVID-19 can't ruin---shopping for new clothes. And this year, students and teachers alike can find the perfect garb to best express themselves at For Kids By Kids. We are pleased to celebrate this mainstay of our culture with various apparel collections, including one rightfully named "Back to School."
With the explosion of social media where memes rule, our society has re-discovered the power of words, and we are maximizing on this trend. Our company specializes in creating graphic apparel that embraces empowerment and inclusion with eye-catching and thought-provoking designs.
Because moving on to a new grade is a rite of passage, our designs celebrate this achievement in our "Back to School" collection. Your child will feel accomplished and empowered to take on new challenges while wearing specialty graphics highlighting their new status. Some of our clever selections include designs such as "Pre-K Crew" and "Hello 3rd Grade."
Other designs for both children and teachers portray school subjects such as science as cool, which addresses a growing problem in education---the belief that science concepts are too difficult and boring. The not-so-subtle messages on our apparel work to reverse this trend and help children understand that they can do anything they want to do with hard work and a passion for expanding their horizons.
Our clothing collections address more than just advancing to a new grade and highlighting the cool factor of science. They are all about inspiring kids, teens, and adults to be nice humans with themes that exude kindness, tolerance, and inclusion. In fact, our designs specialize in celebrating the differences that make all of us unique.
Let’s face it---growing up and being different from other children can be difficult. Sadly, sometimes our differences can make navigating life exceptionally challenging. This situation is especially true if your differences are misunderstood and you don’t look or act exactly like everyone else.
To combat the negativity that sometimes accompanies being different, everyone at For Kids By Kids strives to foster inclusion and celebrate the uniqueness in everyone. One way we achieve this goal is by fostering awareness for Down syndrome with clever t-shirt designs such as "Perfectly Imperfect" and "Down Syndrome Superhero." We even have a design with a simple "3.21" representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome---the scientific explanation for Down syndrome.
We believe that creating awareness builds tolerance in subtle ways and empowers those who might feel their differences exclude them. At For Kids By Kids, all of our clothing collections strive to follow this mission.
Another clothing line that highlights inclusion is the “Together” collection. With designs that say, "Better Together," society is reminded that we all need the love and support of others, and if we give that love and support freely, it comes back to us as well.
Similarly, the “Empower” collection does exactly what its name says. It empowers kids to believe they can achieve their dreams. These designs have spunky sayings such as “Destined for Greatness,” “Be the Change,” “Strong Like a Girl,” and “Free to be Me.”
Our number one goal is to send kids back to school in this post-COVID year with confidence. And as simple as it may sound, we firmly believe that a simple, positive saying on a t-shirt can play a crucial part in thwarting negativity and promoting happiness.
Whether it’s Down syndrome awareness, acknowledging girl power, a reminder to be kind, or generally promoting tolerance, our clothing collections have a distinct message and will send your kids back to school with a purpose.
And our purpose at For Kids By Kids goes much deeper than just creating witty sayings and eye-catching designs. We also have deep ties to the community. In fact, we regularly donate a portion of our profits to worthy organizations that benefit children. This year, we proudly pledge to support DonorsChoose, an organization that helps teachers acquire the tools and experiences kids need for a great education.
Ultimately, For Kids By Kids is a company with a conscience and a purpose. Our mission is to make this world a better place, one kid at a time. Every child and teacher who returns to the classroom wearing our apparel sends a positive message and creates a safe space where everyone can learn.
Even though most people don't know what to expect in this unusual post-COVID school year, we have your back-to-school clothing needs covered with unique collections that create awareness, promote tolerance, and make your kids look great!
By FKBK writer, Mary B.
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We are thrilled to support the National Down Syndrome Society! NDSS is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. We are proud to donate $5 from each sale of our Perfectly Imperfect lines to NDSS in honor of our youngest daughter, who happens to have Down syndrome. To learn more about NDSS, please visit www.ndss.org.
]]>We are so excited to officially announce our collaboration with Hiyababy! Hiyababy is an amazing non-profit organization located in Loudoun County, VA. Their mission is to provide little ones, ages 0-2 years, with "baby bundles" containing diapers, clothing, and other essential items that every child deserves. Cassie, the founder of Hiyababy, recently ran a drive in our community that left us feeling inspired to help. Many texts and phone calls later, our idea of the "together" line was born! What does "together" mean? To Hiyababy and FKBK, it means coming together as a community to support those who need it most.
Cassie and I, both being mothers, understand that raising young children is no easy feat. By coming together, we aim to support hiyababy's mission to provide babies and their caregivers with the essentials needed to start off a happy and healthy life. Take a look at the TOGETHER line and purchase today! A portion of the proceeds from EVERY purchase will go directly towards the purchase of diapers, clothing, and other essential items that every baby deserves.
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My family is involved with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) advocating for all our loved ones who are extra awesome. To learn more visit their website at www.ndss.org. As mentioned earlier, some very amazing people who are also connected with NDSS, worked very hard on creating these EMS communication cards. These full page flyers are there to assist people with different communication needs when it comes to emergencies or even routine interactions.
In my local community, the amazing folks at Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association - IAFF Local 3756 recently completed a project of creating and equipping their EMS vehicles with Autism Comfort Bags. These bags contain items that will help first responders provide better services to everyone in our community. See additional coverage here: ABC7-WJLA, WDVM video coverage.
We were honored that they allowed us to contribute to their efforts by donating these EMS communication cards to include in their bags. These cards can be used by first responders to communicate with patients, but can also be used by families to better communicate their needs. We want everyone to have access to this tool, so we are also including a pdf version for download. Just click on each of the images of the EMS communication card to open the pdf files.
We are so thankful for all the folks mentioned above for everything they have done and continue to do every day. These are every day heroes that care for the welfare of our children and work tirelessly to make this a better, more inclusive world for all. Thank you!
My youngest daughter is a big inspiration in our journey. She is 2, she is amazing, and she happens to have Down syndrome. FKBK was created with inclusion and giving back in mind because of her. We create fun designs that empower young minds, promote inclusion for all, and bring awareness to different causes.
Giving back has become the foundation of FKBK, which is why we partner with nonprofits that have a positive impact in children's lives and give back to them through the sale of our items. We are continuously assessing our business model and looking for ways to increase our social impact.
We are excited and look forward to each day in this journey!
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