About Kids Involved

KidsInvolved was created during the COVID-19 shutdown, when isolation and lack of access to support caused many students to fall behind both academically and socially.

What began as a response to a crisis quickly revealed a much larger and ongoing need.

We recognized that many children struggle not because of their ability, but because of their circumstances—family responsibilities, limited support at home, or learning challenges that require more individualized attention.

KidsInvolved was created to help bridge that gap.

Who We Help

At KidsInvolved, we focus on students who need support the most but often receive the least:
•    Children in single-parent households or families balancing multiple responsibilities
•    Students with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences
•    Children with disabilities who benefit from individualized attention
•    Students who have fallen behind due to illness, emotional hardship, or disruption
•    Families who cannot access or afford private tutoring

We believe that traditional classroom settings cannot always meet every child’s needs. That’s why our one-on-one, peer-to-peer model allows us to connect with students individually—even through a computer—creating real understanding, confidence, and measurable progress.

We have seen firsthand that when students receive consistent, personalized support, they not only catch up—they grow stronger.

Who We Are

Matthew Bertani Spring

Co-Founder, KidsInvolved

Matthew’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and discovering confidence through challenge.

From a young age, Matthew was always involved in sports. While he had a natural kind and gentle personality, he also had to learn how to build confidence in competitive environments and find his own place among peers.

He began playing lacrosse as a defense player, learning discipline, teamwork, and commitment. But everything changed when he entered high school.

During his freshman year—already one of the most difficult periods of his life due to health concerns and personal challenges—his coach made an unexpected decision: he was moved from defense to goalie.

It was not an easy transition.

The goalie position requires not only physical strength, but also leadership, focus, and composure under pressure. It meant standing in front of fast, powerful shots, learning not to look away, and staying mentally strong in intense situations. At first, he was not the starting goalie, and the role felt uncertain.

But over time, something shifted.

Through discipline and perseverance, Matthew developed both mental and physical strength. He learned to stay focused under pressure, to lead from the field, and to trust himself.

That experience changed everything.

As he grew stronger in sports, his confidence began to grow in other areas of life as well. What had once been a difficult academic start turned into steady progress. With time, he improved his performance, rebuilt his confidence, and became a strong student, eventually achieving honors-level success.

Matthew came to understand something essential:

Confidence changes everything.

When a student begins to feel capable—whether in sports, academics, or any area of life—it creates a ripple effect. Strength in one area builds belief in others.

This realization became a key part of KidsInvolved.

He believes that helping students succeed is not only about tutoring—it is about helping them feel confident, capable, and supported. Because when a child begins to believe in themselves, everything else can follow.

Brandon Bertani Spring

Co-Founder, KidsInvolved

Brandon’s journey began during a time when connection suddenly disappeared.

During COVID-19, life changed overnight. Schools moved online, sports stopped, and everyday interactions were reduced to screens. For someone who had always been active and involved in sports, the isolation was deeply felt. Practices were canceled, teams were separated, and connection became limited to video calls and messages.

But what impacted him most was not just his own experience—it was seeing how much harder it was for others.

Children in hospitals were completely isolated. Many students were alone at home, struggling without structure, support, or interaction. Brandon began looking for ways to reconnect with others in any way possible—through online communication, shared activities, or simply being present.

As he adapted to this new reality, he also experienced how challenging it was to stay engaged in school through a screen. While some students managed, many fell behind—not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked connection.

At the same time, something unexpected happened.

With fewer activities and more time at home, Brandon was able to focus differently. His academic performance improved, and he realized he now had time to give back.

He began tutoring students, especially those with learning differences and disabilities. But his vision quickly expanded beyond academics.

Even before COVID fully ended, Brandon started working with children involved in Special Olympics, helping them prepare, practice, and build confidence.

When in-person activities returned, his commitment deepened.

He joined not only his own mainstream sports teams, but also became actively involved in Special Olympics programs, including working with teams connected to Inter Miami. For four years throughout high school, he served as a unified partner—playing alongside athletes with disabilities, supporting them directly during games, and helping create opportunities for them to succeed.

As a unified partner, he wasn’t just coaching from the outside—he was part of the team. He played with them, supported them, and helped create moments where every player could participate, contribute, and feel the excitement of the game.

Through this experience, he saw something powerful.

The challenge was never about willingness—it was about access, opportunity, and support.

He watched athletes push themselves, celebrate progress, and strive to succeed—just like any other player. And he realized that inclusion is not about separating groups, but about creating environments where everyone can participate together.

For Brandon, this became a defining belief:

We are all the same in what we want.
We all want to belong.
We all want the chance to succeed.

After graduating high school and leaving Florida for college, he was no longer able to participate in these programs in the same way. But the impact of those years stayed with him.

Today, Brandon remains actively involved through KidsInvolved—continuing to support students through tutoring and carrying the same commitment to inclusion and connection into his everyday life.

That experience became a core part of KidsInvolved.

His vision is to build a community where no child feels excluded—whether in school, in sports, or in life—and where connection, inclusion, and support are available to everyone.

Because no child should ever feel left out.

The Heart of KidsInvolved

Our volunteers are the foundation of everything we do. While many contribute behind the scenes, here are a few who chose to share their stories.

Robert

Tutor

My name is Robert, and I am dedicated high school student who is passionate about helping younger students grow academically and build confidence in themselves. As someone who has ADHD, I understand from my own experiences the challenges that can come with learning and staying focused, which motivates me to support students who face similar obstacles. Through my involvement with KidsInvolved, I hope to create a supportive learning environment where students can learn and reach their full potential.

Valentina

Tutor

My name is Valentina . Kids involved allows me to support students with learning disabilities through tutoring which not only creates a community for students, but it also allows them to learn at their own pace and get the one-on-one help they need. Every child learns differently, and helping them understand things in a way that works for them means a lot to me. It has taught me patience, empathy, and communication. It is truly special to watch their confidence grow when they finally understand something that once felt impossible to grasp.

Angie Chi

Writing Tutor

Tutoring has been really meaningful to me because it gave me the opportunity to connect with kids and see them grow in confidence. I believe it’s important for children to have someone who not only always believes in them but also makes learning enjoyable. Through my tutoring experience, I’ve learned how to be more patient, empathetic, and creative in the way I explain concepts. Tutoring is enjoyable for me because it’s always a wonderful experience celebrating the moments of growth and reminding kids of the great potential they carry within themselves.