Kids Making It: Empowering Youth Through Woodworking in Burgaw and Pender County

“We are really committed to listening and learning,” says Kevin Blackburn, Executive Director of KMI. 

When driving into downtown Burgaw, you may have noticed the new sign in front of what was once intended to be a salt cave at 204 S Walker Street: Kids Making It (KMI) has entered Pender County! While it might not seem like there’d be much overlap between a salt cave and woodworking, the space fits KMI's needs perfectly. It offers ample shelving, plenty of electrical outlets, and separate rooms for different activities like engraving, sanding, and office work. There is even a climate-controlled room in the back to keep their wood in top condition.

KMI is thrilled to announce their expansion to Burgaw and Pender County and plans to eventually offer all the same programs that their Wilmington location provides, starting with an after-school program focused on teaching woodworking skills to local youth. “We are really committed to listening and learning,” says Kevin Blackburn, Executive Director of KMI. Given the impact they have made in Wilmington, they know they have many of the right ingredients, but they recognize the needs of their new community likely will not mirror the needs in Wilmington.

Tommy Taylor, CEO of United Way of the Cape Fear Area, a major supporter of the non-profit, shares his enthusiasm for the expansion: "Kids Making It has improved so many lives in New Hanover County over the years, providing positive role models, skill building, and an impressive workforce pipeline. As someone with 20+ years of experience serving Pender County residents, I have advocated for KMI to serve the county. The program is truly needed for the young adults in the county.!"

Just like in Wilmington, kids in Burgaw will eventually have the opportunity to sell the products they design and create, keeping 100% of the profits. KMI will focus on developing their skills first, and the storefront will grow over time. Their aim is to create a program that is truly "of and for Burgaw and Pender County."

Having already participated in two Blueberry Festivals and two Spring Festivals, KMI is eager to deepen their relationships in the community. For the Burgaw location, they are looking for volunteers, especially woodworking instructors. Whether you have woodworking experience or not, you can volunteer—KMI will provide the necessary training. Safety is a top priority, so they’ll start small with about 5 kids a week and maintain a ratio of 2-3 kids per adult.

Beth and Brian Kirschner, who contributed significantly to KMI’s expansion, expressed their excitement: "Beth and I were thrilled to contribute to Kids Making It’s expansion to Pender County and its mission of helping young people in this area.”

KMI wishes they could serve every child, but their focus is on disadvantaged youth. To join the program, kids undergo an intake interview where KMI learns about their stories, backgrounds, and interests. “We are really looking for kids who have a genuine interest in working with their hands and learning more about woodworking,” Kevin Blackburn expresses. Woodworking is the foundation for everything they do at KMI but only touches the surface of the kinds of support they offer. Each kid who is part of the program is connected to personalized services in any way that KMI can support them - “we are dedicated to serving the whole child,” says Blackburn.

The Foundations of Success program offers academic mentorship from volunteers and paid staff, covering any subject the kids need help with. KMI works closely with teachers to provide comprehensive support, and they offer financial literacy courses, guest speakers, and field trips to expose the kids to diverse industries and opportunities. Their mission is clear: "Keep the kids in school, out of trouble, and connect them with the workforce or college." KMI emphasizes that college isn't the only path to success and aims to prepare kids for all kinds of future opportunities.

Bob Harootyan, Secretary and Capital Grants Committee Chair of the Landfall Foundation, commends KMI's impact: "It is a testament to KMI’s success in helping kids learn much more than woodworking. As a volunteer, I regularly witness how KMI’s program brings out the kids’ creativity, fosters entrepreneurship, and provides a genuine sense of accomplishment—all of which prepares them for success in adulthood."

“Self-efficacy is really important,” Kevin states and explains the three important values of the program that highlight this: entrepreneurial spirit, empowerment, and resilience. “Entrepreneurial spirit is a life skill, encompassing creativity, hard work, learning how to fail and get back up, and openness to learn. Empowerment means recognizing what you can accomplish and focusing on your strengths. Resilience involves processing what’s happening and pushing forward, preparing for the adversity they will continue to face in the future.”

KMI's Burgaw location is set to open in mid to late August. Kids aged 13-18 can be part of the program. You can support KMI by volunteering or visiting their website to shop or donate, www.kidsmakingit.org. 

The Burgaw project is made possible by the generosity of United Way of Cape Fear, the Landfall Foundation, and Beth & Brian Kirschner, who donated top-of-the-line woodworking equipment and tools. Join KMI in their mission to transform lives through woodworking and support the youth of Burgaw and Pender County.