KidsMates is a national nonprofit organization founded to promote strength, stability, and resilience in children and families facing life’s challenges.

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When our father was incarcerated, we felt loss, confusion, and isolation. But what hurt most was the silence and stigma surrounding parental incarceration.

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In those moments, we found comfort in the people who stood by us—our family, friends, teachers, and coaches. Their care reminded us that even in hardship, hope can take root. We learned that facing adversity means finding acceptance, holding on to determination, and choosing love. Over time, we decided to own our story instead of letting it own us.

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Our mother grew up in New Zealand, where the word “mate” means “friend.” We chose the name KidsMates to emphasize friendship, connection, and support, transforming a difficult label into a message of courage and community.

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Today, we share what we’ve learned to help other children and families build resilience, confidence, and connection. Our journey has taken us from personal experience to advocacy—working to ensure that every child impacted by incarceration feels seen, supported, and hopeful about the future.

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Joshua, Ava, and David Martoma