About Kimberly
Kimberly Friery, Founder and Co-Director of Kids Dreams Matter, Inc.
I am a mother and advocate driven by a deep commitment to supporting children with mental health needs, especially those affected by developmental trauma. My journey began with my children, who came into my life through adoption after experiencing severe neglect. This trauma, happening during a crucial developmental stage, left them with emotional wounds that no child should carry. As they grew, they faced a range of challenges, and many mental health diagnoses—each adding layers to their unique needs in the world and at school.
Our turning point came in 2023. My son experienced a crisis at school that highlighted the glaring gaps in our education system’s understanding and handling of trauma and mental health. He was provoked by the very behavioral staff trained to help him by making disparaging remarks, triggering an incident that escalated. In that moment, the school system’s misunderstanding of trauma and its punitive response became painfully clear to me. My son, who needed empathy and support, was met with disdain and force instead.
From this experience, I realized that children like my son deserve a system that understands mental health and trauma. Kids Dream Matter’s new mission was born from that realization. I founded this organization in 2015 to help children in any way possible. KDM will continue to do so through a mission to break the stigma around children’s mental health. I want to ensure that no other family faces the trauma our family endured. Through advocacy, resources, and community support, we aim to bring awareness to trauma-informed care in schools, bring safe calming rooms to students, educate teachers on the importance of mental health and medication awareness, and support students and educators alike.
At Kids Dream Matter, we believe in creating environments that foster healing and growth, where students are met with compassion and patience, and where their resilience is honored every step of the way. This mission is deeply personal, inspired by my journey with my children, and driven by a vision of a more understanding, trauma-informed world for all children.