Sometimes falling behind has nothing to do with ability—only with circumstances.
Matthew Bertani Spring
Co-Founder
A Story Behind the Mission
Not every student who falls behind does so because they don’t try.
Sometimes, life simply becomes too heavy.
During his freshman year, Matthew Bertani Spring experienced one of the most difficult periods of his life. What should have been a normal start to high school became filled with serious medical concerns that required multiple visits to doctors and significant time both during and outside of school to address.
At the same time, he was coping with the loss of his grandmother to cancer—a moment that made everything feel even more fragile and real.
Trying to stay focused in school while managing health concerns, grief, and uncertainty made it incredibly difficult to keep up. What impacted him the most was not just falling behind, but realizing how isolating that experience can be.
That period changed his perspective.
He came to understand that when students struggle, it is often not about ability; but about what they are going through in life.
That understanding became personal. And it stayed with him.
Brandon Bertani Spring
Co-Founder
Brandon’s journey is shaped by resilience and a deep understanding of what it means to feel left out.
As a child, he faced challenges that were often misunderstood and made learning more difficult. Over time, he overcame those obstacles, built confidence, and became a strong student and leader.
During COVID, he saw how isolation affected so many children—especially those with disabilities—and realized how essential connection truly is.
Through years of involvement with Special Olympics as a unified partner, Brandon didn’t just support inclusion—he lived it. Playing alongside athletes, helping them succeed, and sharing the experience as part of the same team changed his perspective.
He came to understand something simple but powerful:
Everyone wants to belong.
And when children feel included, supported, and connected, they can grow far beyond what they ever thought possible.
Who We Help
We support students who are often left without the help they need—children in single-parent households, families balancing multiple responsibilities, and students with learning differences or disabilities.
Through one-on-one, peer-to-peer support, we meet students where they are—helping them catch up, build confidence, and move forward.
Programs Snapshot
- Tutoring
Free one-on-one and peer-to-peer tutoring led by honors and AP students, designed to help kids catch up and regain confidence. - Sports
Inclusive sports and Special Olympics participation that build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. - Community
Support during crises such as COVID-19 and hurricanes, ensuring education continues even in the most difficult moments.
A Story Behind the Mission
KidsInvolved was not just created from a problem—it was created from personal experience.
During his freshman year, Matthew faced one of the most difficult periods of his life. Ongoing health fears led to constant doctor visits, emotional stress, and time away from school. At the same time, he was coping with the loss of his grandmother to cancer and trying to understand difficult questions about life, health, and uncertainty.
Falling behind academically while dealing with fear and grief made him realize how overwhelming it can be for any student to keep up when life becomes heavy.
That experience changed everything.
Matthew understood that many children face similar challenges—whether from illness, family struggles, emotional hardship, or simply not having support at home. He also learned how powerful it is when someone is there to help you catch up, believe in you, and not let you fall behind.
That is the heart of KidsInvolved.
Our Story / Mission
KidsInvolved was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools closed and many children were left isolated and without support. Students across communities began falling behind—especially those from families under stress, those with learning differences, and those without access to one-on-one help.
Natural disasters like hurricanes further showed how quickly education can be disrupted.
In response, we created a student-led network providing peer-to-peer tutoring, access to technology, and inclusive programs that help children reconnect both academically and socially.
Our mission is simple:
Ensure every child has access to learning, confidence, and opportunity.
No child should ever be left behind.
Why Peer-to-Peer Works
Through KidsInvolved, we’ve learned that students often learn better from peers because they feel understood, not judged.
• Students with ADHD, dyslexia, and learning challenges often progress faster with peer support
• Kids feel more comfortable asking questions
• Learning becomes less intimidating and more engaging
• Confidence grows alongside academic skills
At its core, KidsInvolved is built on empathy, patience, and connection—because learning improves when students feel supported.
Why KidsInvolved Matters
Technology can answer questions, but it cannot replace empathy. KidsInvolved builds real human connection through peer-to-peer learning, creating not just academic growth, but also friendship, confidence, and resilience.
Parent Testimonials
Hilary Porco
“My tutoring experience with Kids Involved has been incredibly meaningful. I’ve seen firsthand how patience and encouragement can help a child gain confidence, and it’s been so rewarding to watch students grow, both academically and personally, while I grow alongside them.”