All Our Kin
Invite reviews
A person would be hard-pressed to find an organization which provides such meaningful services positively affecting so many people. AOK helps low income individuals open quality, licensed home based child card programs. This improves the individual's confidence, income level and quality of life, while giving their children and the children of their neighbors the tools they need to be successful once in school, and freeing the parents of other children to also find work. It is an uplifting cycle rather than the vicious cycles so often seen in the communities AOK serves. The service AOK provides can change the fabric of a neighborhood.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
passionate, engaged, well-informed and creative.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
sustain its mission fully in the community of New Haven without constant fund-raising efforts and launch consulting efforts to bring their methods to other cities and towns.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
This non-profit is run by two compassionate and brilliant women who inspire me with their tireless dedication to low-income families. The two Ivy League graduates—one trained as an educator, one as a lawyer—opted-out of white collar career trajectories to create a program where families could move out of poverty and into the workforce. The program trained inner-city mothers to become certified day-care workers while simultaneously providing child care for their children while they were in educational classes. Now, nearly a decade later, their grassroots non-profit, All Our Kin, has expanded its vision – to provide all children, regardless of socio-economic background, with all the advantages that our privileged society is capable of providing. If All Our Kin had additional monetary resources they would be able to expand their efforts to reach additional communities in need. I have worked directly with a group of their Hispanic child-care providers when I offered a free yoga class aimed at teaching skills for stress reduction and mindfulness. I found the providers to be dedicated and heartfelt individuals who have directly benefited their communities through their day care centers.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
absolutely dedicated to being of service.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
go national and take this empowering child-care model to additional needy communities.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
All Our Kin was founded and is run by two passionate, dedicated, and creative young women who ten years ago recognized a need and moved to fill it. The program has an impact on the people it serves and the broader community. Home day care providers are given the tools and support to successfully create a safe, healthy, stimulating environment for an underserved population of children. The providers are offered training, technical assistance and a network of like minded professionals so that they may move toward accreditation and beyond. Enabling the providers, mostly women previously unemployed, to become small business owners has had a positive economic impact on their communities.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the impact on the lives of the participants. The providers have had an opportunity to prove their worth, better their lives and make a significant contribution.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue the good work in program development and look for funding for a development person.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
following and being part of the continuing development of the program as it has expanded to serve more women and children.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
superb, committed and passionate about the mission.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
hire and train staff to replicate this program nationwide. It already is a model that is admired and respected by all who know of it.
Ways to make it better...
we could have had the services of a development professional.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
continuing to expand the reach of the program without compromising the focus.
One thing I'd also say is that...
A newsletter to current and prospective donors could generate interest and support and help inform a larger segment of the public of the good work this program accomplishes. However this would require additional staff and funding.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
All Our Kin is a friendly organization that provides a wonderful service to New Haven. Their mission to train and equip low-income home caregivers throughout the city helps the women, provides new opportunities and education for the children, and makes the city safer. This is a great non-profit, staffed by two lovely women who know what they're talking about.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the smiling faces of children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
Ways to make it better...
we had had more time to see even more aspects of what they do.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
All Our Kin is a unique organization founded by two very dedicated, thoughtful, and idealistic young women in response to changes in the welfare system that were forcing parents (mostly moms) to make choices between working and caring for their children. AOK empowers women by giving them the tools they need to become owners of their own businesses and professional childcare providers.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the real changes it has made in the lives of the women it serves and in the lives of the children they care for.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
put Jessica and Jana in charge!
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
hearing first hand from women who have participated about how the experience has empowered them, given them self-confidence, increased their stature, and enriched their lives.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extraordinarily committed to their work, enthusiastic, caring, sensitive, bright, and fun.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand to provide these services throughout Connecticut, reform childcare here, and be a national model replicated throughout the US.
Ways to make it better...
Although we always hope to see good organizations grow, I have very much enjoyed being part of this effort while it is young and there is such a strong personal commitment from a core group of supporters.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
increasing funding.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Since it began in 1999, All Our Kin has been improving the quality and accessibility of child care in New Haven. Their programs are data-driven and need-based, and their results very impressive. While other communities in Connecticut have lost child care teachers in past 10 years, leaving few care options for low-income families, the number of family child care teachers in New Haven--and the quality of the care provided--has increased, thanks to All Our Kin.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the lives of child care teachers they have taught and those of the children those teachers care for and teach.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hire a development director.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
working with the staff and family child care teachers in their programs.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
passionate, bright, and dedicated.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education across Connecticut and the country.
Ways to make it better...
All Our Kin had more resources for its programs.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
fund-raising, particularly in this economic climate.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Innovative, with measurable impact on the lives of women and children, All Our Kin has developed an effective model for breaking the cycle of poverty in New Haven. It's "win-win" for everyone involved when formerly unemployed mothers get the support and guidance to open home-based daycare centers serving neighborhood children. These women become early educators of otherwise high risk pre-schoolers, and children thrive in creative, clean, organized households.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
children entering kindergarden poised for success.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hire a development director.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the delightful staff.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
competent, enthusiastic, hard-working.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make meaningful early education the norm for every child in New Haven.
Ways to make it better...
staff had a full-time development director to raise money for the administrative needs of the organization.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
raising money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
All Our Kin is changing the lives of women and children in a deep and meaningful way.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews