The Kaleidoscope Project is an intermediary of John Rex Endowment. We work with community agencies to improve places and spaces where children live, play, and grow. We focus on capacity building of partner organizations to concentrate on systemic issues that increase vulnerabilities specifically for black and brown children in Wake County.
We seek to: create racially equitable environments where children can thrive socially and emotionally while building strong, supportive relationships with adults and peers.
We seek to: mobilize a network of organizations and community groups working alongside families most affected by structural racism, building environments that support and strengthen children’s mental health.
We seek to: advance racial equity, strengthen young children’s social emotional well-being, and improve the systems and spaces that shape their daily lives in Wake County.
Together,
We’re turning the places kids go into places, kids grow.
Our Work
For a number of years, The Kaleidoscope Project has been making a difference in the social emotional well-being of children and families in the places where they spend time. We know, structural racism, barriers are created that prevent black and brown children from living their best lives socially, emotionally, and mentally. Building on previous work, the project will use a lens of racial equity to examine its best practices and interventions.
Action through Partnership
Acting as a facilitator and funder, The Kaleidoscope Project is seeking a Partner Organization to connect us to authentic community expertise and leadership. The Partner would not necessarily implement changes; they would help develop the trust they have built over time, help us connect with the right people, and participate in grassroots committee decision making.
Funded by the John Rex Endowment, The Kaleidoscope Project works in partnership with:
CounterPart Consulting, LLC
Partners for Impact
The Need
We are fortunate to live in a community with extensive resources to nourish, support, and enrich our children’s lives. But thousands of our children still need more help.
Many Wake County kids face tough daily realities like poverty and food insecurity. As they get older, many of our children face serious underlying mental, social or behavioral issues, yet only 1 in 3 receive the mental health services they need in Wake County.
According to a Duke psychiatrist, youth mental health crisis is “the next wave of the pandemic.” The pandemic has magnified how fragile mental health is for many children and adolescents. Read the article by Anne Blythe.
Coming events
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Equity Centered Leadership series
A 3-session series for child-serving professionals ready to lead differently
Dates: April 23, May 28, June 25, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: SafeChild in Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free - This series is offered at no cost thanks to support from the John Rex Endowment
Limited Enrollment: 15 participants maximum to ensure deep engagement
Prerequisite: Commitment to attend all three sessions and join the ongoing Community of Practice
What Makes This Different:
Unlike typical leadership training, this series:
This is tailored specifically to child-serving professionals who face unique power dynamics in their work
Names structural barriers like paternalism, lack of resources, and historical harm - not just individual skills
Connects equity to children's well-being - showing why community power matters for kids
Offers ongoing support through the Kaleidoscope Project's Community of Practice, not just a one-time training
Brings together different roles (directors and caseworkers) to learn from each other
Focuses on action - you'll leave with commitments and accountability partners
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This series is designed for program directors, coordinators, case managers, and frontline staff working in:
Early childhood programs
Schools and after-school programs
Family support services
Child welfare and mental health
Recreation and youth development
Any organization serving children and families
We especially welcome participants who:
Work in different roles (directors AND frontline staff)
Bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences
Are committed to ongoing learning beyond these three sessions
REGISTER NOW:
Space is limited to 15 participants - Register early!
https://forms.gle/s3gNcxRVFS6DdJfZA
Questions? Contact Earl Callair at ecallair@kaleidoscopewake.org
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Who are we
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What we do
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How we do it
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21,552
Children living in poverty
Kids Count Data Center -
13.1%
Children in food insecure households
NC Child -
5,373
Child abuse and neglect reports
Kids Count Data Center -
1,895
Juvenile Justice complaints
NC Dept. of Public Safety -
644
Students Suspended
Wake County Public School System -
6,500
Children who are homeless
Families Together -
4,747
Children who are experiencing homelessness
Wake County Public School System -
70%
Students bullied at Middle School
Wake County Public School System
