JESUP – At its January meeting, the Jesup Rural Woman’s Study Club created little no-sew “Teddy Bears” from washcloths. These were included in a kit which also contained soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush. The kits could be given to children in crisis situations, such as transitioning into foster care. This project supported the club’s Advocates for Children Initiative, and was co-chaired by members Dorothy Thompson and Shirley Bergman.
In February and March, the Jesup High School CAPS students are considering a charitable organization for a service day. CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) is a project-based learning environment where students focus on projects for local businesses, public speaking, and developing as professionals. CAPS instructor Allyson Kitch explains: “As a part of public speaking and CAPS, the student-associates must select a non-profit organization to ‘pitch’ to their fellow associates. After pitches, a service project and organization are voted on by the group. Whichever project is selected, those associates that pitched it plan the service day and the rest of the associates participate.” Kaylie Bergman and Landon Vogel have selected the Cedar Valley Angels as their organization.
Susan Ramirez began the Austin (Texas) Angels program in 2010. Since that time, it has grown to 21 sites across the United States. Their mission statement is: “… to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.” Cedar Valley case worker Trebion Smith says “We are in the relationship business. We are looking for mentors to walk with youth and provide support.”
The Angels’ Love Box program provides intentional care packages which may include gas cards, extra toilet paper, laundry detergent, etc., required with extra family members. These boxes may also include toys and games. Love “outside the box” can include respite care, outings, etc.
“Dare to Dream” is the Angels’ mentorship program that provides support to children between 11-22 years of age. When a child ages out of the foster care system, they are not instantly ready to face adulthood on their own. Statistics (found on their webpage) are sobering.
• One out of five foster youth become homeless at age 18
• 20,000 youth age out of the foster care system annually
• 50% of foster homes close within the first year
Heartland Technology employee Kelly Seehase is the Director of Operations at CoWork591, which provides the workspace for Jesup CAPS. Totally unrelated to the CAPS program, Kelly and her friend, Carrie, volunteered two 12-month terms as volunteers with the Cedar Valley Angels. They mentored two sisters who were living in a foster care kinship placement, which means they were living with a family member. As Love Box members with the Angels program, they determined that the family’s greatest need was respite care and providing fun experiences for the girls. Through several different home placements, Carrie and Kelly have continued to be a supportive presence for the girls, and plan to continue even though their volunteer time in now complete. Impact happens over time, and they hope that the quality time they spend with the girls and their foster families will make a lasting one.
Angels case worker Smith said there are also “seven ladies in Jesup” that have been matched with a family of eight in La Porte City.
For more information about the Cedar Valley Angels, to suggest a foster family that could benefit from an Angel, or to volunteer for one of their programs, please check out their website: or give Trebion Jones a call at 319-214-0862.
