Teaching Kids How to Be a Friend to Someone Who is Different
Most kids want to include others. Sometimes, they just don't know how.
The Hazelnut Movement
Imagine being surrounded by kids every day but still not having a friend.
For many children with disabilities, being included doesn't happen automatically—not because other kids don't care, but because they may not know what to say, what to do, or how to connect.
The Hazelnut Movement was created from founder Julia Erman's experience raising two children with profound disabilities and seeing firsthand how powerful understanding and friendship can be.
Today, we bring engaging programs into schools to help kids better understand disability and differences—
and give them practical ways to include someone who may communicate, move, learn, or experience the world differently.
Most kids want to include others. Sometimes, they just need someone to show them how.
Our goal isn't for students to understand every disability.
It's for them to know what to do when they meet someone who is different: see the person, recognize their strengths, and choose to be a friend.
The Hazelnut Book Collection
Stories that help kids understand differences and be a friend.
Explore disability-awareness and inclusion-focused children’s books inspired by Hazel, Russell, and other incredible kids. The Hazelnut Movement Collection is written by Julia Erman and available through Julia Erman Creative.
SPONSOR A SCHOOL
Help an entire school learn how to be a friend.
Imagine being surrounded by kids every day but still not having a friend.
Your sponsorship helps bring The Hazelnut Movement to schools that may not otherwise have the resources to participate—giving students practical tools to understand differences and include children with disabilities.
$500 can help an entire school learn how to be a friend to someone who is different.
"I am so inspired by this amazing mother and human, Julia Erman! I drove an hour to see her perform the Hazelnut Program at a school and she completely moved me. Her story is that of a true hero: grounded, resilient, and shaped by incredible life experiences. As a cancer survivor and mom of two children with ultra-rare diseases, Julia speaks with a strength and joy that is truly remarkable. She wears her story with pride, her head held high, and a smile that lights up a room. Her message is both heartfelt and to the point. She is authentic, engaging, and has a special gift for capturing kids' attention with her energetic and fun personality. Julia also interacts beautifully with her audience, making everyone feel connected and seen."
Carolina Sommer
Help create a world where every child belongs.
Help create a world where every child belongs.
Your support helps The Hazelnut Movement reach more schools, equip more students, and create more opportunities for children with disabilities to experience friendship and belonging.
Every gift helps us teach the next group of kids something simple but powerful:
See the person.
Recognize their strengths.
Choose to be a friend.
The Hazelnut Movement is a program run alongside Luke 14 Ministries an official 501 (C) (3).
Our Heart Behind The Mission
Imagine being surrounded by kids every day but still not having a friend.
Children with disabilities can be left out—not always because other children are intentionally unkind, but because they simply don't know how to connect.
We believe that can change.
Most kids want to include others. They just need someone to show them how.
That's why The Hazelnut Movement exists.
Through real stories, hands-on experiences, and meaningful conversations, we help children look beyond a disability, recognize the person in front of them, and learn practical ways to build friendships with someone who may communicate, move, learn, or experience the world differently.
Our dream is simple:
A world where children with disabilities are known, included, and belong.
And it can start with something as simple as: