Kindred Voices: Raphael and Naim
- kindredbakerybk
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Meet Raphael, he started as a volunteer participant at Kindred and now helps run the Kindred newsletter and leads baking lessons out of the Greenwich House location. He recently earned his food handler’s license with support from Kindred and continues to grow his skills both in and out of the kitchen.
“When I joined Kindred, I was in a bit of a rough spot. I had recently lost my job as a barista… the café closed down… and I just felt directionless for a few months. It wasn’t really until my dad told me about Kindred Bakery that I found a place where it felt like I could do satisfying work that was also related to my status as an autistic person.”
During my first baking lesson, I realized it wasn’t just teaching how to bake cinnamon rolls or focaccia bread. It was about bringing different people together in a safe space where they could genuinely connect with each other. That felt really special… I wanted to contribute more.
It was about bringing different people together in a safe space where they could genuinely connect with each other. That felt really special… I wanted to contribute more.
I started as a volunteer and participant, but now I wear different hats. I help sell goods at Kindred’s pop-ups, like at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum,I take photos of the baking sessions, and I help write the newsletters. I get to use my writing to tell stories about what we do. That feels meaningful.
I went to college to be a screenwriter. I’ve always loved writing creatively and writing news articles. With Kindred I’ve learned I really excel in group-based environments where I can contribute my writing skills.
Working with people like Nigel and Qiana—who feel like they have your back—has been a really great experience overall.”
“I first heard about Kindred through the work that I do in community development… Once I got to know Nigel and the type of work he was doing with folks on the spectrum, I was like, I have a kid that’s on the spectrum. I asked Raphael if he was interested. He said, ‘yeah, sure, I’ll check it out.’ And it was kind of a wrap from there.
The transition after high school to adulthood really caught me off guard. And I guess it's just a rookie parent mistake, you know? You know, he got into a good college but it’s hard for anyone as an adult to thrive in this society.
The first thing, first and foremost, Kindred has given Raphael confidence… Being with Nigel really picked that back up. I see that enthusiasm again, being in a place where he feels like he belongs. Raphael’s biggest strength is his sense of determination, his persistence, and his hustle in his drive, no matter what. Nigel understands where his skills are. He's a great manager and he does it for the love, he does it for the impact. I couldn't be more thankful. I couldn't be more grateful.
As a parent, Kindred gives me space to breathe… It was almost like another family—another village. It just makes things a lot easier, it's invaluable support.
As a parent, Kindred gives me space to breathe… It was almost like another family—another village. It just makes things a lot easier, it's invaluable support.
Raphael comes home very proud with focaccia, galettes, ridiculously yummy cinnamon rolls, which is my personal favorite. But I don’t tell him because I want him to surprise me.”
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.
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