Nayan Ramkarran-Perkari & Cristiano Allum | Recover My Kicks
Nayan Ramkarran-Perkari & Cristiano Allum
For many families, a pair of shoes is something easily taken for granted. Yet for countless children around the world, having proper footwear can mean the difference between attending school comfortably, participating in sports, or simply walking safely through their community. Despite this need, millions of gently used shoes are discarded every year instead of reaching those who could benefit from them most.
Determined to change that, Nayan Ramkarran-Perkari and Cristiano Allum founded Recover My Kicks, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to collecting and donating lightly used shoes to underserved communities. Their mission transforms everyday footwear into opportunities for comfort, confidence, and connection.
What began as a simple idea has grown into an initiative creating tangible impact across multiple communities. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, Recover My Kicks is giving donated shoes a second life while helping children and families gain access to an essential everyday resource.
Today, the organization has distributed 1,018 pairs of shoes through three partner organizations. Their efforts have provided 345 pairs to the Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, 561 pairs through a collaboration with the OLC School and the Boys & Girls Club of Hudson County, New Jersey, and 112 pairs to the Mothers' Union Children's Home in Trinidad.
Their impact extends beyond individual donations. Recover My Kicks has built meaningful partnerships with organizations including the Boys & Girls Club, providing new shoes to 561 children in the Hudson County community. The initiative has also expanded internationally through a successful donation event in Trinidad and Tobago while collaborating with organizations such as Goals For Growth Jamaica, demonstrating how youth-led service can create global change.
As the organization continues to grow, Recover My Kicks remains committed to expanding its reach and ensuring that more children have access to quality footwear.
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