Mikaylas Voice
Inspiring kids of all abilities to share the message of inclusion.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Everyone needs to be included. Inclusion and diversity are often and widely discussed today, with almost every organization and company developing a policy to support them. Yet, as we are seeing greater progress for all races and genders, people with disabilities are not enjoying the same opportunities. While other groups are able to campaign for equal rights, many people with disabilities struggle to have a voice. Their unique voice needs to be heard in order to change the prevailing prejudices about people with disabilities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Wheels of Friendship
In this unique program developed and coordinated by Mikayla’s Voice, children paint not with brushes, but the wheels of a wheelchair and the paws and tail of a service dog. Their paintings are a beautiful reminder that it’s always possible to find a way to include everyone.
Tri for Inclusion
Mikayla’s Voice Tri for Inclusion is much more than a race. It is a priceless opportunity for all kids and young adults, and an important message for our entire community.
Every year, on the last Saturday in June no one in the Lehigh Valley is left on the sidelines. Kids of all abilities compete side-by-side and together in something they had likely not dreamed possible or ever planned to do and show our entire community that there is always a way to include everyone in everything.
Children and young adults with disabilities are welcome and encouraged to compete in the swim, bike, and run ~ or just one event (with assistance if necessary) as the captain of a relay team. Other kids may or register as assistants or relay team members for these inclusive teams or “try a tri!” (compete all three events)
Children's Books and Assemblies on Inclusion
Mikayla’s Voice is proud to have published three books written and illustrated by children for other kids about having a friend with a disability. Kids are sometime the best teachers because they know what will be most meaningful to other children. Simply explained by these young authors, “All kids are different… so kids with disabilities are really no different than us.”
While Brady is challenged by autism, Mikayla was born with a brain injury and Jeffrey has Down syndrome, these books are about much more than their main characters or their disabilities. They are about friendship. And kindness.
Invaluable messages for kids of all ages and abilities. Valuable books for every home and classroom. All proceeds benefit Mikayla’s Voice.
Originally designed for elementary schools and in response to requests for both older and younger audiences, Mikayla’s Voice Inclusion Assemblies have evolved into presentations equally successful for children (and adults!) of all ages.
Mikayla and her mom, Kimberly Resh, have given presentations at elementary, middle, and high schools as well as preschools, colleges and places of employment. After sharing their own personal story, they facilitate valuable discussion about the meaning and importance of inclusion for all.
Where we work
Awards
Affiliations & memberships
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Excellence in Education Award 2022
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of works published from new writers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Children's Books and Assemblies on Inclusion
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Our first three books were written and illustrated by kids for kids about having a friend with a disability. The next book, published in 2022, is about the ladybug with a yellow spot in our logo.
Number of books distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Children's Books and Assemblies on Inclusion
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
When published each book was donated to every public elementary school in the state where it was written (PA or NJ). Smaller donations are now also made to build diverse home libraries.
Total number of audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Children's Books and Assemblies on Inclusion
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants attending course/session/workshop
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Young adults
Related Program
Wheels of Friendship
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are only school-based project numbers. We have worked with hundreds more at community events.
Number of children who have an innate motivation to master and control their environment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Wheels of Friendship
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
456 youth participated in Mikayla's Voice inclusive art project, selecting whether they would like to work on a large mural (Wheels of Friendship) or small canvases (Kaya's Kaleidoscope).
Number of children who have the ability to use eye-hand coordination, strength, and motor control to use age-appropriate tools and utensils effectively
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Wheels of Friendship
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Students use brushes and tissue paper decoupage to complete Mikayla's Voice inclusive art. Accommodations are made for students requiring additional support such as hand under hand assistance,
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We seek to inspire and empower children and youth to be the voice of inclusion for everyone and show our world a better way. Our organization is unique, and we are proud of our differences. Mikayla’s Voice is the only local non-profit organization in our area, and one of a just a handful in Pennsylvania, focused on inclusion for people with disabilities. Other state and national groups are primarily centered on inclusion in education and/or employment, while we focus on inclusion in all aspects of life. But what really sets us apart is our commitment to empower children and young adults to lead our efforts toward a culture of greater inclusion.
For too many years, people with disabilities have been excluded from social, educational and employment opportunities. Most adults remember when all children with disabilities were placed in separate classrooms or schools. Through increased inclusive practices in our schools and communities, our children have been blessed with greater appreciation for and friendships with children with disabilities. Mikayla’s Voice was founded on the belief that children are in the best position to teach our community about the importance of inclusion. Our children are our future and we are proud to let them lead by example, teaching others to celebrate diversity, embrace individuals of all abilities., and show kindness to all. This builds their self-confidence, empowers them to stand up for what they believe and encourages their growth into adults who to continue to advocate for inclusion.
Children are our future, Mikayla’s Voice was founded to let them lead by example today: teaching others to celebrate diversity, embrace individuals of all abilities, and show kindness to all.
They are Mikayla’s Voice.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Mikayla’s Voice (MV) has developed and coordinates three inclusive programming initiatives: one each in the arts, education, and sports and recreation. All are well established, have enjoyed significant growth, and are positioned for even greater success. Each allows kids of all abilities to enjoy and demonstrate successful inclusion as they work and play together. Fear can be the biggest barrier to inclusion so we talk openly about differences, providing honest answers to any and all questions the children may have. As they become comfortable together, develop strategies to include everyone, and establish genuine friendships, they teach others to do the same. Our unique and innovative programming gives children the opportunity to educate their communities and create cultural change as they prove inclusion is possible in all aspects of life. MV has added a mentoring program specifically for high school students to continue to spread the message in their district.
MV has published four books written and illustrated by children for other kids about having a friend with a disability. Brady is challenged by autism, Mikayla was born with a brain injury, Jeffrey has Down syndrome, and Dot has a yellow spot, but these books are about much more than their main characters or their disabilities. They are about friendship. And kindness. Invaluable messages for kids of all ages and abilities.
Inclusion Assemblies introduce valuable dialogue that can be continued, demonstrating children’s capacity for understanding, acceptance and compassion. Facilitated with the help of a child or young adult with a disability, these assemblies provide background knowledge about having a disability. After sharing their own stories and photos, the hosts’ field questions about their personal experiences. All questions are welcome and encouraged to ease any remaining apprehension and foster greater inclusion, kindness, and friendship. Each assembly concludes with an invitation for all students to serve as Mikayla’s “Voice.”
Wheels of Friendship® is our large scale art mural program. Children and youth develop the theme and message for the artwork. Kaya's Kaleidoscope art program is 24 individual canvases completed by youth of all abilities. The individual canvases come together in an eye catching, puzzle like design. Finished paintings are unveiled at school-wide presentations and remain on permanent display in the schools where they were created.
Tri for Inclusion is our inclusive youth triathlon but is much more than a race. It is a priceless opportunity for all kids and young adults, and an important message for the entire community. Kids of all abilities compete side-by-side and together in something they had likely not dreamed possible or ever planned to do and show the entire community that there is always a way to include everyone in everything.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Mikayla's Voice has hired an experienced non-profit Executive Director with a proven track record of developing quality inclusive programs, scaling them up and increasing revenue and market share.
The organization had taken advantage of the pandemic shutdown and created equally engaging virtual inclusion assemblies. This platform has no geographic boundaries and can reach even wider audiences.
Assembly co-presenters are youth with disabilities who share their messages of inclusion. Mikayla's Voice has made the commitment to pay the co-presenters a prevailing wage for their services.
High school students who serve as mentors for their younger peers, read one of MV's 4 books and complete enrichment lessons with the themes of kindness, inclusion and friendship. This positive addition to the program increases message sustainability in school districts.
Mikayla's Voice board and Executive staff has completed a DEI policy and has begun to recruit board members with diverse backgrounds, bringing an even bigger inclusive focus to our efforts.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
According to independent auditors, Mikayla's Voice(MV) spends $.83 of every dollar on its programs and services. MV's inclusive programming is always unique and innovative ~ never a duplication of services. MV publishes children’s books as hard cover library bound editions not only to ensure a durable product for schools, but to underscore the importance of the authors’ message. Likewise, quality supplies for artwork are purchased, and substantial medals for all triathletes. Quality matters. It sends a message. All kids deserve the very best. And will get nothing less from Mikayla’s Voice.
Accordingly, Mikayla’s Voice has enjoyed much success including:
• Three completely innovative first-of-their-kind programs
• Delivery of 225 inclusion assemblies to over 75,000 students.
• Inclusive art projects conducted with 3103 student artists in 74 schools.
• Four books written and illustrated by kids for kids.
• Over 6599 books donated to school and classrooms.
• Over 650 athletes have participated in our truly inclusive sports event.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To inform the development of new programs/projects, University led program outcomes
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Mikaylas Voice
Board of directorsas of 05/17/2023
Mary Mahoney Firster
Professor
Term: 2026 - 2023
Heather Joseph
Treasurer / Retired Pension Administrator
Jared Brown
Director / Sign Language Interpretor, Self Advocate
Maria Fidelibus
Director / QuickChek
Timika McAdams
Vice Chair / Retired
Rose Allshouse
Director/Retired Principal
Mary Mahoney Firster
Chair/Professor
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 05/17/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.