Creating Happy Childhood Memories Abroad and Locally
We create happy childhood memories in the lives of children abroad and in our local communities. We do this by cultural exchange and storytelling. Our main program in the yearly exchange of children’s costumes.
The idea was born in 2009 out of personal experience from our founder’s Mayra Betances own childhood memories. Mayra was struck suddenly as she recalls her moment of epiphany while standing outside of her oldest son’s Halloween parade in the school yard. She tells that in the split of a second she ask herself, “what happens to all these costumes once Halloween is over?”
It was there that she quickly planned to ask parents for their children used costumes so that she can send to her native land and donate to children who cannot afford to buy one.
In her native land the Dominican Republic, it is tradition to wear a costume for the country’s carnival and Independence Day festivities which take place every February. Mayra recalls making her own costumes to use for such festive times.
Mayra’s family could not afford to buy a costume from a store and back in her childhood years they barely had electricity for a couple of hours a day so there was no much to see on TV or else. She tells her story with pride and joy.
She wanted to bring these costumes to little boys and girls like her at the time who could not afford one with the help of many people who supported and believed in her, things just rolled out like a snowball. 
OUR IMPACT
Happy Moments Created
3,544
Estimated number of children, supporters and donors have participated in our Cultural Exchange program.
2287
Number of children who have received a costume through us in Dominican Republic.
12
Storytelling free community breakfasts in Columbus, Ohio