We recently connected with Evelyn Kessler and have shared our conversation below.

Evelyn , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

In 2016, I founded International Child Advancement, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to empower underserved children to become self-sufficient through education, vocational training, and mentoring.

We equip refugee and underserved children in Buffalo, NY with scholarships (new in 2024), backpacks, school supplies, financial education, career and personal development learnings, ensuring they have the tools necessary to succeed in school and life.

We also support the needs (education, nutrition, housing, and vocational training) of orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Thanks to our supporters, we positively impact the lives of over 300 underserved children every year. One success story I would like to highlight is that of a boy named Kevin M. in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who lost his parents during the Congo war. In 2015, Kevin was taken in by the orphanage we support in Goma, DRC named GUAOA Orphanage. In 2016, he was paired with an educational sponsor who provided him with mentorship and financial support to cover his high school tuition (K-12 education is fee-based in the DRC) and university expenses.
Kevin struggled throughout high school and failed 12th grade, which he had to redo, but he persevered thanks to his sponsor’s encouragement, guidance, and love. In the end, he overcame his academic challenges, graduated high school. I’m proud to share that Kevin graduated university in 2023 with an engineering degree. He is excited for the future and committed to supporting underserved children in his community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My family is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). My father was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the U.S. which prompted my family’s move to Western, NY in the mid-70s. I was later born in Amherst, NY where we lived until my dad obtained his doctorate degree in education; we then returned to the DRC in 1986. In 1994, when the genocide turmoil in neighboring Rwanda began to trickle into the DRC, I moved to Paris, France to continue my education and found my way back to Western, NY 1997.

I was grateful my family had the means to leave the DRC before the violence escalated, however, not many families were as lucky. During my college years in the U.S., I was restless and felt hopeless hearing about the violent atrocities that were taking place in the DRC and the millions of people that had lost their lives. Upon graduating college and a few years into my banking career, I felt a strong pull towards my purpose – starting a nonprofit to help orphans in my country of origin. I resisted my calling; I was painfully shy, full of self-doubt, feared failure, and was overwhelmed by the requirements to found a nonprofit organization. Leaning into my faith and supportive circle of influence, I mustered the courage to file the paperwork to launch International Child Advancement (ICA) in 2016.

Eight years later, I continue to lead ICA as a volunteer Executive Director while working full-time in the banking industry.

We have seen great progress in our DRC work whereby 76 orphans are paired with educational sponsors who fund their K-12 education, 6 orphans have graduated high school and two graduated university. We launched three vocational training programs, purchased a building where the children can reside safely and provide them with over 100 warm meals each month.

In Buffalo, NY, we provide backpacks and school supplies to over 200 refugee and underserved children, conduct financial education, career and personal development sessions. New in 2024, we will award scholarships to students in need and will conduct cultural awareness presentations at local schools.

We have all heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. As I look back on the impact we have had, I’m reminded that it could not be possible without our village of supporters, partners, and volunteers. I’m extremely grateful to them for recognizing that all children, no matter their circumstances, background, gender or origin, deserve to have their basic human rights protected and fulfilled.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth has been the best source of new donors for our organization. We have incredible board members, volunteers, and supporters who share testimonials about our work, impact and needs with their circles of influence.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In my teens and early 20s, I believed that I was not competent or worthy enough to address an audience or conduct presentations. This stemmed from my experiences as a child. Growing up, I was constantly bullied for being considered “other.” When we lived in the U.S., I was singled out because I was the only Black child in my class. In the DRC, I was alienated in my earlier years because I didn’t speak French nor the local dialects – I was considered a foreigner/an outsider. My shyness had me in a shell from which I believed I could never break free.

This became my truth until I learned about Toastmasters, a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. I joined a local chapter and challenged myself to present and/or speak during each meeting. Since then, I have intentionally selected career opportunities that require public speaking which prepared me for my role as ICA Founder and Executive Director. My responsibilities at ICA require that I engage with the press, conduct presentations to large audiences, interact with community members and so much more. I have learned to be uncomfortable with being uncomfortable in order to advance our mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.childadvancement.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intlchildadvancement/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.chiladvancement.org
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11720272
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFyJMNs7eBptsn28G6-5NnQ

Image Credits
Evelyn Kessler’s headshot: Yves-Richard Blanc, Blanc Photographie Photo of ICA leaders in front of green backdrop: Joseph Saccomanno