WE REACHED OUR GOAL OF 500 BLANKETS!!

Mental Health Resources for Kids and Teens

The Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls (JLWCF) is creating community “ties” through their Wrapped in a Hug (WIAH) project. Members set  a goal of creating 500 fleece tie-blankets for Cedar Valley teens and children by the end of 2023 and exceeded that goal with the support of the community. This is 300 more than what the group created in 2021 as there have been additional requests from area agencies for the blankets. This goal could not have been achieved without the support of individuals and community organizations donations through  money, fabric, and time to make the blankets.

In 2021 the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls introduced this community project. With this project, JLWCF active and sustaining members, created tie-blankets to provide comfort and warmth for teens in the Cedar Valley. The 200 fleece tie-blankets were distributed to teens and children at Four Oaks, the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center, Allen Child Protection Center, Waterloo East High School, Waterloo West High School, and Cedar Falls High School. With each blanket, a list of mental health resources for teens was also provided. The aim was to provide some peace to teens during this time of increased stress and uncertainty due to COVID-19. 200 tie-blankets were distributed in 2021.

This year, the League plans to add to the locations with Brownstone Youth Services, Bremwood Lutheran Children’s Home, and Expo Alternative High School. Members are currently adding SMACK cards and a QR code with a list of mental health resources to the blankets, preparing them for distribution. 

“WIAH was established as an event in 2021 when we felt we could not safely hold another beloved event of the Cedar Valley, Prom`s Closet”, said JLWCF President, Danica Haas. “When our membership worked on this project, we had no idea how much this project would be loved by our members, the organizations we donated the blankets to, or the teens that received them. Since 2021 we have had multiple requests from organizations to bring this project back and we are so excited to be completing this project again and at a larger volume than 2021.”