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It's Not About What You've Been Through, But How you Get Through It
Feb 05, 2021 7:00 AM
Organization founder, Will Holmes, knows change is possible for kids because he has been where they are. He grew up in Chicago. By age seven, he was a sexual abuse survivor. By thirteen he found a "home" with the Blackstone gang. At fifteen, Will watched rivals murder his friend and then turn their hatred on him. A jammed gun saved him from instant death, but not from a vicious beating with baseball bats and knives that left him barely alive. It was devastating and life-changing. Will's recovery wasn't just physical, it was mental and emotional. Over time, he chose hope. He embraced determination and found purpose. After years of successfully mentoring youth in DMPS and through Des Moines Police Department Second Chance programs, Will realized struggling kids need more. They need support outside of school hours and a safe place to be themselves. Starts Right Here movement has increased its engagement with youth in the Des Moines area year over year through its partnership with DMPS and the Des Moines Police Department. |
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Apr 23, 2021 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
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Apr 30, 2021 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
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May 14, 2021 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
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May 21, 2021 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
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Democratic Midterm Candidate Preview
Jul 30, 2021
Jennifer has lived in Iowa most of her life, and has always considered the Des Moines metro area her home. After living in northern Iowa, then out of state for a short time as a child, she returned to Iowa and went to school in Johnston, where she graduated in 1992. Jennifer is serving her second term in the Iowa House and was recently elected the first female leader of the Iowa House Democrats, making her minority leader of the house. Jennifer met her husband, Lee, while attending Drake University. They’ve lived in the area since their marriage in 1996, with a brief stint in Chicago before coming back home to Iowa. They have two children, Ellie (20) and James (18) and live in Windsor Heights. Lee works at Nationwide in Des Moines and they are members of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines, Jennifer’s church for more than 30 years. The couple was married at Plymouth, and they are proud to have raised their children there. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Drake University, and Lee earned his undergraduate and law degrees there. Jennifer believes there is nothing more important than being a mom and that’s why she has been an active volunteer in her kids’ education at every step from preschool to high school. She has served as President of the Plymouth Nursery School Board, President of the Downtown School PTA, Mock Trial coach at Merrill Middle School, and was a member of the PTA and a debate team parent volunteer at Roosevelt High School. Jennifer is currently an Associate Professor in Drake University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Before teaching at Drake, Jennifer spent 12 years in communications leadership at Iowa Public Television (IPTV). While there, she was responsible for strategy and implementation of communications for the network. She also served as the spokesperson for IPTV, on-air host during fundraising drives, and worked on special programs during the Iowa State Fair. In 2018, Jennifer received the Madeline Levitt Mentor of the Year Award at Drake University. She has also been recognized as a finalist for the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa’s Inspiring Women of Iowa Courage Award and as Outstanding New Member from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central Iowa Chapter in 2014, as a member of the Des Moines Business Record’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2010, and as national PBS Communicator of the Year in 2007. |