News : Starfish: Area women seek community's help as they assist local homeless grads

Starfish members are helping area homeless graduates, one by one.

“It makes a difference to this one.”

An old anecdote describes a girl walking along the beach, tossing starfish back into the water to save them from death in the sand.

A passer-by asks the girl what kind of difference she can make, since there are so many starfish she cannot possibly save them all.

“It makes a difference to this one,” she replies as she tosses it to the safety of the water.

A group of Vinton area ladies is trying to make a difference to a small group of 2016 graduates from Vinton-Shellsburg – graduates who meet the definition of homeless. And they are again asking local residents, churches, businesses and organizations to help them help these students.

Now calling their group Starfish, the women are continuing the work they began last year, when they helped seven of the 93 VS graduates who were either homeless or independent as they approached the end of their high school careers.

"We have homeless and independent teenagers in our school and community," says VS Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock. "Many of them have an interest in completing their high school education and pursuing post-secondary training or education but it can be a challenge as they struggle to find a safe place to stay, food to eat, and pay for other bills that most 17 or 18-year-olds don’t have. It is great that we have a group of community people stepping up to help them as well as many local businesses and individuals who are contributing financially."

The women of Starfish were shocked to learn about one teenage girl who attended school on Friday, and spent the weekend sleeping in her car in the school parking lot, with very little to eat until Monday.

Other students “couch surf,” said group member Erin Monaghan, referring to several teens who spend nights on the couches of friends.

Working with school counselors, other relief organizations and local donors, the women of Starfish are helping several homeless graduates with everything from graduation party planning to searching for colleges to setting up their first home or apartment.

“Some of these will be the first of their family to go to college; some are even the first generation to graduate high school,” says Monaghan.

Statistics indicate that only 54 percent of children in the foster care system will graduate from high school and fewer than 2 percent will go to college.

Starfish members are pleased to report that those they helped last year are currently in college and doing well. The group is accepting donations of items and money as they endeavor to provide these graduates with things many students take for granted.

So far, the group has identified four VS graduates who have asked for help. They are anticipating more, and also plan to reach out to graduates of other area schools in Benton County as well as Iowa County.

The women plan to provide each participant with a used laptop computer, printer and other technology needs. Other needs, as identified by the participants, range from graduation party supplies to clothing to furniture, including beds and dining room tables. School supplies, toiletries, cleaning supplies, tool kits, kitchen utensils and bedding are also among the things the women are collecting.

Those wishing to make tax deductible donations can donate through Wesley United Methodist Church or Clickstop Cares. Anyone wishing to donation can email BentonIowaDecat@gmail.com, or call Erin Monaghan at 319-241-1817, or Heidi Schminke at 319-472-4543.