Tina Allen, Liddle Kidz Foundation

By: Emily Long

When you or I hear the word “massage,” we probably think of a relaxing
spa treatment accompanied by aromatherapy candles, scented lotions,
and soft music. However, in practice, massage isn’t just about pleasure.
Tina Allen, Founder and Director of the Liddle Kidz Foundation, educates
parents, healthcare providers, and volunteers about the therapeutic and
developmental benefits of pediatric and infant massage.

Tina explained that, contrary to common belief, infant
and pediatric massage isn’t focused entirely on
relaxation. “[In infant massage] these techniques help
the family to bond, and also create great benefits for the
infant by stimulating healthy growth, development and
aiding in sleeping. Pediatric Massage differs from infant
massage as it is designed to provide comfort and
compassionate for children who have special healthcare
needs, are hospitalized or in hospice/palliative care.”

Tina began as a volunteer with the Heart Touch Project, where she
provided massage sessions to HIV/AIDS patients, children with special
needs, and senior citizens. After serving on the Heart Touch Project board
of directors, Tina held a variety of leadership positions in children’s
massage programs at Los Angeles hospitals. In these roles, she recognized
the national and global need for programs targeted directly to infants,
children, and their caregivers, and from this she began the Liddle Kidz
Foundation. Tina says, “I saw a great big hole in how we were interacting
with and treating children in our society.  Especially the treatment of
children with special healthcare needs.  Much of the compassion and
caring had been removed from the healthcare system.  The Liddle Kidz
Foundation began as an answer to the great lack of nurturing touch and
connection in our society, and to encourage improvements in children’s
health and welfare.”

In addition to healthcare-based
US programs, the Foundation
sends volunteers to provide
care and education around the
world, from Thailand to
Belarus. “We give back to the world community by organizing
International Volunteer Global Outreach events.  During these events, the
Liddle Kidz Foundation takes groups of trained volunteers overseas to
work in pediatric hospices, orphanages and hospitals.  These volunteers
provide hands-on care for infants and children, and education for
caregivers.” Tina also feels strongly about bringing the concepts of
healthy touch into US schools.

While any foundation or non-profit starts small, they have the potential
to have a global impact. This is exactly what Tina has done with Liddle
Kidz. “We are now widely recognized as the premier nurturing touch
organization.  Our certifications and trainings are held and recognized
internationally.  Throughout the world there is a great need of getting
back to basic human contact.  Somehow along the way, much of this
communication and connection has been lost.  It is inspiring to see others
recognize this need as well.”

Tina spends her busy days teaching, traveling the world, speaking at
conferences, touring hospitals, and supporting the needs of the Liddle
Kidz Foundation through grantwriting and working with donors. Every
now and then, she also gets to practice the techniques that brought her to
where she is today. To keep up with the demands on her time and energy,
she is supported by her husband, family, and the hundreds who believe in
Liddle Kidz’s mission.

So what is Tina’s message to you? “You’ve got to be tough, stick to your
guns and believe in your mission. As in any venture, there are challenges
that need to be met, and having a strong work ethos gets it done.  Finding
your passion and believing that what you are doing is making a difference,
makes getting up and going to work each day possible. When I started
Liddle Kidz Foundation, I began with the thought that one person can
truly make a difference and I have found this to be true.”