Kindred Voices: Devon and Denise

“It allows my son to reach his full potential,” Denise, Devon’s mom.

Kindred Participant, Devon with his mom Denise.

“I like making food and seeing new faces every Saturday. It makes me feel proud of myself,” says Devon, reflecting on his experience with Kindred Bakery.

“Devon was with Kindred for two months this summer and he would go every Thursday and Saturday to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum [summer pop-up]. Now he’s at the West Village baking program on Saturdays.” adds Denise, Devon’s mom.

Devon describes the summer pop-up as a place where he learned more than just baking. “The [Children’s Museum] pop-up was a very good experience, a mix of rush and calm,” says Devon. “It showed me how to greet people, make food for other people, work with others. I liked the support they gave me.”

Kindred Participant, Devon with his mom Denise.

For Denise, that support stood out immediately. “Kindred is very family-oriented and I like that they help the community and they want to teach our children. Sometimes children with disabilities have a hard time but they help them out, teaching them more than the basics of cooking, how to interact with others. Devon’s shy but right away he said ‘I like this!’”

“Kindred is very family-oriented and I like that they help the community and they want to teach our children."

Cooking has always been part of Devon’s life says Denise “Growing up Devon loved to cook but he has a lot of allergies. His dad is actually a cook so he knows the basics but Kindred allows him to apply that and learn more. It makes him skilled and knowledgeable. It also allows him to try new foods. It pushes him to try new things and decide for himself what he wants to do. I think that’s pretty cool, it helps him grow. It gives him confidence like ‘Oh I got this, I can do this.’”

Kindred Participant, Devon with his mom Denise being interviewed by Emma.

Denise also points to the role of Kindred’s founders. “Nigel and Qiana are also very communicative and want to make sure that everyone has the best experience. Their community work is amazing. I’m always working so it’s great knowing that even though I’m not able to always be there there is someone who can watch out and create a great experience for Devon. The support he gets in becoming more knowledgeable and skilled at baking is great.”

Denise sees the impact Kindred has made in Devon’s confidence 

“Monday through Friday he’s at school, so the fact that he wants to do Kindred in his free time means a lot. It’s hard to get kids to like something, they scream, they holler, they don’t want to go. But the fact that he’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I go. Saturdays, I’m going,’ says everything. He couldn’t miss a day. That was awesome. I see his confidence.”

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Kindred Voices is a series of profiles of Kindred Bakery BK's program participants and their family members.

Donate today to help us open more doors, train more young people, and keep our inclusive kitchen thriving. https://www.kindredbakerybk.org/donate

Thank you to Caroline Emma Moore and Adam Nemcsek for supporting this series.