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Email: info@capemaycares.org

Cape May Cares: Encouraging & Empowering Through Education & Experience

Author: CMC Staff

by
Community
November 17, 2024
Kids, moms and dads, and even a few seniors joined Cape May Cares for a chance to see the full moon and planet Saturn with Cape May Astro (Kevin Beare). Using professional telescopes to explore the night sky, everyone enjoyed the evening filled with celestial fun, question and answer time, and a little hot chocolate to keep us warm. Thank you to Mimi Wood, one of our longtime tutors, for arranging this wonderful event!

by
Community
November 3, 2024

This article originally appeared in the November 5, 2024, edition of the Cape May Star & Wave newspaper.

CAPE MAY — Children at Broad Street Court at the Cape May Housing Authority complex have a new playground and pavilion to enjoy thanks to the generosity of the community.
 
City and county officials and members of Cape May Cares and the Fund for Cape May cut a ceremonial ribbon Oct. 30 on the new sliding boards and pavilion.
 
The Fund for Cape May raised $48,000 for the project during the annual Ice Ball at Congress Hall.
 
Cape May Housing Authority Executive Director Jackie Jones said it took a village to complete the project, including volunteers, local businesses, community leaders and individual donors. Cape May Cares and Cape May Housing Authority Chairman Keith Lafferty said playgrounds allow children to interact with their peers, develop social skills and self-esteem, learn to persevere and get over obstacles.
 
Mayor Zack Mullock offered a quote from Albert Einstein, “Play is the highest form of research.” Glancing back at the new playground, the mayor quipped, “this is going to get a lot of research.”
 
Curtis Bashaw, president of the Fund for Cape May, said the playground is an example of community at its best with organizations working together. He presented Cape May Cares with a check for $2,500.
 
Tom Carroll, vice president of the Fund for Cape May, said the organization has worked with the city on completing Rotary Park and Soldiers and Sailors Park, as well as placing bicycle racks on the Washington Street Mall. When visiting the new playground, he said he found how excited the children were with the new amenity.
 
Police Chief Dekon Fashaw said the housing project had issues with illegal drugs in the past, which was almost unimaginable for Cape May. He said the city has other parks but it is easier for the resident children just to walk out their backdoor.
 
“This is something good for this community. I’m very proud to be a part of this community,” Fashaw said.
 
City Manager Paul Dietrich said parents have a short time to influence their children. He said it is important for children to have a place to have positive experiences.
 
“If everyone thinks this is great, because it is great, you haven’t seen anything yet. We have bigger eyes and we can’t wait for the future to get this going even more,” Lafferty said.

by
Community, Summer Programs
November 3, 2024

Did you know that Cape May is home to over 800 animal species? These range from land dwelling animals such as colorful box turtles and graceful Monarch butterflies, to marine animals such as the playful bottlenose dolphin and nimble ghost crabs. Cape May is filled with so much spectacular wildlife that we decided to take a trip to learn some more!

We partnered with the Cape May Nature Center to give our kids an up-close and personal experience with some of the local critters. The policy of the Nature Center emphasizes a hands-on approach that “reflects a philosophy of personal responsibility for education.” What better way to learn than to see an animal first-hand, in hand?

Learning on Land

Our day started with meeting a few animals on land first. Including a sweet Chinchilla, colorful Corn Snake, and a friendly Box Turtle. These turtles can often been seen in grassy areas trying to cross the road. Keep an eye out for them on the street to see their bright colors, and make sure they have space to get to the other side safely!

We were also introduced to an animal older than the dinosaurs. Many visitors and locals have seen them on the beach – our friends, the Horseshoe Crab. Their large shells and long wiggling tails look like something prehistoric – and that’s because they are. Horseshoe Crabs are over 445 million years old and are a vital aspect of the food chain. They provide important sustenance for migrating birds and are a familiar sight on the beaches here. Sometimes you’ll see them flipped over, but don’t worry. They use their “tails” to flip themselves over and get back to the ocean.

Harbor Safari Discoveries

Afterwords, we spent some time collecting various species in the Cape May Harbor using a 20 foot seine net. To use the net, one person stands on each end. Then, the net is pulled through the water and gently gathers different animals, along with the occasional chunk of seaweed.

Next comes the fun part: sorting, identifying, and then releasing native species back into their natural habitats. This is where the adventure really becomes hands on. The kids picked through the net themselves, with the supervision of trained Nature Center staff.

The Real Takeaway

The kids didn’t just have a great time, but got to learn about all of the wildlife that exists right here in their hometown. It can be easy to take for granted when we are surrounded by such beauty daily.

By raising awareness of the animals and species present here, the youth will start to develop a better understanding of how we are all connected. And, by association, that we need to nurture and protect the wildlife that is all around us.

Through the power of education, Cape May Cares hopes to improve quality of life for our community members, as well as the community itself.

by
Christmas, Community
December 3, 2023

This article first appeared in Cape May Magazine’s Winter 2023 print edition. 

The holidays bring on an annual spike of altruism, but this local nonprofit organization maintains a consistent pace of giving back to the community all year round. Founder Keith Lafferty, his wife Cathy Lafferty, and Co-Chair Claudia Von Savage are the pillars of Cape May Cares. Over the past five years—since its inception—they have developed multiple branches of operation, collaboration with local sponsors, and an immense cultural impact in our area.

How Cape May Cares Came About 

Humble beginnings make for the most inspirational stories, and Keith Lafferty has had plenty to overcome. From growing up in the Housing Authority of Philadelphia with his mom and sister, he pays forward the kindnesses he was shown then to our Cape May County community, and he has done so since he moved here 18 years ago.

When Keith discovered that the City of Cape May has its own housing authority, he felt compelled to help. His involvement began when he went to the Housing Authority inquiring about how many families lived there, intending to give them Christmas trees. The housing authority holds 30 families, 69 children, 55 seniors, and people with disabilities throughout 85 units.

The Christmas kindness continued when Keith and Cathy, along with their daughters Karli and Koko, would provide presents for local families in need straight out of their own pockets. It was as independent and simple a process as local shopping for local kids. Cathy remembers, “I would tell Karli ‘You have a 9-year-old girl— go’ and she would hunt for presents on the Washington Street Mall.” The Lafferty clan would then return home and perform the work of Santa’s elves by wrapping and personalizing the gifts with the names of their recipients.

This led to Keith being inducted onto the board of the Cape May Housing Authority and soon thereafter chairman of that board. 

A board member turnover shifted the dynamics at the Housing Authority and prompted Keith to form Cape May Cares in 2018. In order to continue his mission of helping local families, he thought that teamwork would prove the most efficient strategy. Cathy’s partnership was a given, and the recruitment of Claudia Von Savage officially established the organization. 

Claudia reflected on the onset of the venture. “I remember getting a call from Keith telling me how he and Cathy were thinking of expanding their involvement in helping the children living at the Housing Authority from an annual Christmas gift delivery to some kind of program that would offer help and hope the entire year-round. I was all in immediately, and I gravitated towards helping to establish the educational programs.”

“Education is the backbone of Cape May Cares.”

Claudia taught at a middle school in Manhattan for two years, and her experience in the city inspired much of her initiative with the organization: “Many of my students were living in welfare hotels throughout the five boroughs. The experience really opened my eyes to the dynamics of working with school-age children who were dealing with very difficult home and life situations.” 

Keith shares this passion for prioritizing education and placed it at the forefront of Cape May Cares. “The ticket out of any socio-economically deprived area is education,” stated Keith. He serves as a strong example since he went to school, became a doctor, and found success through his education. 

Cape May Cares currently has almost 40 kids in tutoring programs with 15 active volunteer tutors who offer one-on-one sessions three days a week. Because of the interpersonal nature of the tutoring sessions and the individual attention each child receives, the benefits transcend the contents of the textbooks. 

The bonds formed between the children and the volunteers have blossomed into mentorships, an outcome the trio says they never could have predicted but has resulted in undeniable improvement. Students’ grades have improved so much that the organization has developed relationships with the schools, keeping Cape May Cares directly in the loop with the children’s progress.

The organization’s newest development is their scholarship programs. In the spring semester of 2023, they gave two $ 2,000 scholarships to Lower Cape May Regional High School students, a direct example of Keith’s belief that scholastic advancement has the power to break the cycle of poverty.

This is the group’s  third year hosting an internship with a Stockton University student specializing in social work. This project helps both the students gain hands-on experience in the field and puts in place another caring figure for the children. 

The group has also branched out into art education with renowned artist Mark Innerst. Mark’s work is exhibited in the DC Moore Gallery in New York City and has been displayed in high-profile museums throughout the country. He visits about once a month and conducts a two-hour art class with the children. Each volunteer is cherished at Cape May Cares. As Keith put it “People can give not just treasure but time and talent.”

Holiday Cheer and Charity

Cape May Cares was born from Keith’s Christmas spirit. His concept of playing Santa became an entire operation that benefits families beyond a seasonal expiration date. But this special time of year continues to push Cape May Cares to make the holidays meaningful for families in need. 

2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Lafferty family providing a bag of presents to a child on Christmas Eve morning. Throughout the past decade, they have supplied presents to an average of 65 children each year, adding up to approximately $65,000 in gifts. 

“The kids expect us on Christmas Eve morning by now and wait at the window for Santa to bring a bag of presents to their door,” explained Cathy in gratitude for the growth and impact Cape May Cares has made over the years. 

Cathy keeps her finger on the pulse of the Christmas season activity, managing each bag of presents with individualized wish lists and names. At this stage in the game, the gifts are 100% donation-based, which is an extraordinary feat when considering how back in 2013 it began with their time and expense alone. 

The supply of presents increases each year, and they partner with other local non-profits like Family Promise, Cape Hope, or Big Brothers Big Sisters to distribute any extra gifts. These organizations share mutual goals prompting them to keep in contact and collaborate. 

Support, Sponsors, and Natural Networking

“The people on this island are unbelievable, I’m amazed every day,” gushed Keith when discussing the generosity he has witnessed from members of the community.

Sponsors like Curtis Bashaw, owner of Congress Hall and Cape Resorts, have been beyond instrumental in helping the organization establish credibility and gain resources. “Curtis Bashaw has been a consistent supporter of our cause, whether by hosting Breakfast with Santa at Congress Hall every year for our families or by helping to raise the entire cost of our new family pavilion through the efforts of the Fund for Cape May,” said Claudia. 

She went on, “The Wallace Stuard Sailing Foundation at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May has given the children over 40 junior sailing scholarships over the years and an incredible opportunity to leave their apartments in the summer and be outside learning sailing and sportsmanship skills. The Cape May Tennis Club and its new Junior USTA program have provided our kids with terrific opportunities as well. The churches of Cape May are also a great resource and well-supported for our programs. The City Council of Cape May and Police Department, particularly Chief Dekon Fashaw and his secretary Dorann Hemmingway, provide amazing support as well.”

Keith also emphasizes the presence of the Cape May Police Department in this sphere of influence. Chief Dekon Fashaw has spent much personal effort to promote positive exposure of law enforcement to local youth.  

Keith reflects on a memorable event that Cape May Cares held at Cape May Brewery to raise funds for a playground and pavilion on the property of the Housing Authority. Their goals were easily met and surpassed with about $30,000 raised at the brewery.

“When you give people an opportunity to give back, through a legitimate and credible platform, they go all out,” says Keith. Cape May Cares allows sponsors and donors to witness how their philanthropy becomes a tangible enhancement to the community.

“Last but not least, the support and expertise that Jackie Jones, Executive Director of the Cape May Housing Authority, and Maryellen Francke, longtime secretary, provide to Cape May Cares have been essential to our growth and success,” added Claudia.

All in all

The Cape May Cares contributions became a reality when they brought me to the grounds of the Housing Authority and walked me through where the tutoring happens. The space holds children’s cubbies and drawings, plenty of books, art supplies, and more; it is an accessible environment that encourages education, growth, and joy. 

It was obvious that Keith is a frequent and present figure. His personal relations with the tenants of the Housing Authority demonstrate how invested he is. Keith used personal misfortune as a motivating factor to drive forward his aspirations and infuse that right back into his community. He leads this mission with humility and a refreshing sense of humor.  

The generosity and ambition of the volunteers at Cape May Cares have the power to fundamentally change the course of these children’s lives. The many resources they provide to the underserved will have a lasting and rippling effect. 

Cape May’s affluence is pronounced and at times starkly distracts from the pockets of the community that are neglected. Funneling equal if not more attention in those directions would serve our area’s greater good. Cape May Cares thinks in terms of the big picture Cape May, not just the picture-perfect Cape May.

How To Get Involved

There is still a great deal in store for this organization, which has seen astounding growth within only five years. They plan to branch out of the boundaries of Cape May City and reach as many people as they can; the possibilities seem limitless.

“Cape May Cares helps to foster community spirit and involvement by providing a vehicle to make volunteering easier,” says Claudia. “There is a saying that ‘great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.’ I believe that’s what Cape May Cares is all about!

We welcome all ideas and volunteers who want to share their talent and areas of interest and expertise. I have personally seen the tremendous benefit the children receive from their involvement with caring mentors and encourage anyone who has an hour or two to volunteer—no experience necessary, just a good heart—to contact Cape May Cares.”

If you are interested in volunteering, donating, the annual toy drive, or any further information about Cape May Cares please visit them at capemaycares.org. 

by
Education
June 3, 2023

Cape May Cares is a small non-profit charitable organization working to bring hope and opportunity to children, families and seniors in the Cape May area through tutoring, mentoring and outreach programs.

The volunteers of Cape May Cares believe in encouraging and empowering individuals through education and experience. They are extremely proud to be able to award their very first Cape May Cares college scholarships in the amount of $2000 each to two worthy Lower Cape May Regiponal students who embody the mission of their organization through their spirit of compassion, volunteerism and academic excellence.  

Celebrating Ellen Cranstoun and Bry’anna Vesper

The first scholarship is given in honor of Ellen Cranstoun, through the generosity of her loving husband Doug Cranstoun. A talented graphic arts designer who developed and managed her own design company, Ellen donated much of her time and talents to churches and Christian causes before her passing much too early in 2017. Ellen was a woman of great faith, especially through and during the toughest of times.  In keeping with Ellen’s shining example of “faith in action,”  Cape May Cares would like to award its first ever scholarship to Bry’anna Vesper.

Celebrating Maryellen Francke and Miranda Macklin

The second scholarship is in honor of the longtime secretary for the Cape May Housing Authority, Maryellen Francke, who has worked quietly behind the scenes to help the families and seniors in need for the past ten years. Maryellen was Cape May Cares before there was a Cape May Cares.  If a child didn’t have a warm winter coat or if an elderly resident needed special help, Maryellen made sure no one ever went without.  Although Maryellen has always refused any recognition for her kind deeds, tonight Cape May Cares would like to formally acknowledge her work by awarding their second scholarship in honor of Maryellen Franke to Miranda Macklin.

Cape May Cares
639 Lafayette Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

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