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Artwork by Jill*
A resident at
the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home |
The majority of the children who reside in a Twin Cedars home are foster youth in the custody of the state of Georgia. They face many challenges. Despite their day to day circumstances many rise up to exceed expectations.
At our Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, Jill*, a resident of two years, has emerged as a role model and leader among the girls living at the Double Churches Road Campus. Henri Davidson, long time Twin Cedars employee, describes her as having a zest for life. Her positive attitude has been one of the single most determining factors in her recent successes. Jill attends public school and has won awards in reading competitions as well as art contests. Most recently, she has been selected as 1 of 16 AESH participants with the Brookstone Servant Leadership Sr. Capstone project. Last year, Executive Director, Mike Angstadt and Jill were invited to attend a special breakfast hosted by First Lady Perdue at the Governor's Mansion. During that event, Mike learned more about Jill's thirst for information about anything and everything. "During the guided tour of the mansion, Jill knew more about Egypt than the average college graduate," shared Angstadt. She asked questions that floored the tour guide.
Jill has also joined EmpowerMEnt, a statewide youth leadership development and advocacy initiative through youth-adult partnership for current/former foster youth between ages 14-26.
As a member of EmpowerMEnt, Jill helps support and advocate for the following priorities affecting foster children all over the state Georgia.
Summary of EmpowerMEnt Priorities
- Medicaid benefits for foster youth should continue beyond age 18 to age 21.
- Foster youth need more support to obtain a driver's license.
- Foster youth need a stable school experience.
- Foster youth need a stronger relationship with their case manager.
- Foster youth need a network of caring, consistent and permanent relationships.
- Youth who become parents while in foster care should remain with our child(ren).
(Retrieved from
http://www.maac4kids.org/empowerMEnt/index.html )
Jill exemplifies a positive attitude regardless of the challenges she faces.
Jill is 1 of approximately 150 children who sleep on a Twin Cedars pillow each night. She shares her experience in foster care not only to support other Twin Cedars residents, but to help all children in foster care in Georgia.
*Names have been altered for confidentiality and safety purposes.
Representatives from Muscogee County Child Support Services recently donated more than 200 stuffed animals to Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services. Animals will be distributed among Twin Cedars' Columbus area programs and given to girls at the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, Weracoba Second Chance Home, Chattahoochee CASA and Children's Tree House Child Advocacy Center. This is the second year Twin Cedars was chosen as the recipient of this campaign. We appreciate the support of our friends at Child Support Services. 
