Co-Founders
Sharon Gillis and Barbara Denton

The importance of practicing empathy and compassion is the key to preventing many forms of cruelty and intolerance in our society. Teaching empathy and compassion to young children is critical to all of our futures. Giving children the opportunity to “exercise their empathy muscle” helps them gain greater understanding of the positive impact they can have on others.

Sharon Gillis

Sharon Gillis

Barbara Denton

Barbara Denton

KidsInDeed was founded in 2016 by two good friends, Sharon and Barbara, who realized that when raising their families, there were few opportunities for young children to find meaningful and independent ways to help others in need. So many community service programs were for ages 16+ or didn’t fully address the concept of empathy or provide feedback from the communities they served. Sharon and Barbara wanted to offer opportunities for young children to directly learn about empathy through a hands-on approach.

KidsInDeed is designed to reach elementary school-age students through small group discussions and project-based learning. The program teaches them about the importance of empathy, kindness and compassion in our society and provides ways they can directly help other same-age children in need. Encouraging children to be empathetic toward other children they do not know broadens their circle of concern. After much research and many long walks dedicated to thoughtful discussion and brainstorming, Sharon and Barbara combined their interests, skills and passions to create KidsInDeed, a child-to-child service initiative.

Sharon has a JD and MSW and is involved in the advocacy and administration of programs and policies that help underserved children. Barbara has an MBA and a career in Human Resources Management, building strategic programs that focus on the human relations side of business. She also has many years of volunteer experience supporting young children in hospitals. Together they bring experience, dedication and commitment to helping young children build empathy, kindness and compassion.