New nonprofit aims to provide comfort to kids experiencing homelessness

Nobody can accuse Jamie Maier and the husband and wife team of Macy and Andy Meyer of thinking small.
The three best friends’ final project at the University of Cincinnati - making custom stuffed toys for kids experiencing homelessness - has grown into a full-fledged nonprofit organization. And they haven’t even graduated from UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
They got their 501(c)(3) status, formed a board of directors and have even received grants from two respected local funders - ArtsWave and the Mayerson Foundation. But they also have hit bumps in the road and have been turned down repeatedly by potential donors that like their idea but don’t want to write them any checks just yet.
“There’s a lot of support and encouragement from people in the community,” said Maier, who is the nonprofit’s development director. “But just like any startup, you’re having to start from ground zero.” Fans of the nonprofit, which the friends named Sidekicks Made, are confident it won’t be at ground zero for long.