p.e.a.s magazine march 2014 edition
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P.E.A.S Magazine February 2014 Edition P.E.A.S Magazine mission, feature the faces of our missing children from state to state, along with details about disappearance, vital statistics, law enforcement contact information. It is very important that our children get as much media attention in locating, every second is critical. Organizations/Individuals who provide services for our children & families play a key role in the community, P.E.A.S. Magazine strives to feature available resources/events in your area.TRANSCRIPT
1 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
6 Brothers Separated & Adopted 1999 BROTHERS SEARCHING FOR SHATON
Magazine
PARENTING ● EDUCATION ● ASSISTANCE ● SUPPORT
Peas In Their Pods www.peasintheirpods.com
their story and much more
March 2014 Edition
have you seen have you seen
Shaton??
2 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
3 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
4 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
PEAS IN THEIR PODS P.E.A.S Magazine
www.peasintheirpods.com
INSIDE EDITION
March 2014 Featured Missing Children
March Featured
Community Change Agents
Alive On Purpose
It's Just A Dream, Inc.
Girls In Charge
Pieces of a Dream, Inc
RJ Smiles Inc.
Cooking with Author Sharon Fox
Janice Lowery Chief Executive Officer Gaétane Borders President/Training Specialist Denise Bethune Editor/P.E.A.S. Magazine/ Publicity Manager Paula Whitebear Administrative Assistant Yolanda Butler Business Consultant Vickie Britton Researcher for Missing Children Anita Harris Parent Mentor Marcus Dent Guardian Angel Nancy Fairbanks Webmaster
Peas In Their Pods is an incorporated not-for-
profit organization that provides a specific service to those who have missing loved ones. The or-ganization is self-funded, and is comprised of a team of volunteers who work diligently to assist families during their time of greatest need. We are here to help parents find their missing chil-dren. We do not take the place of the Amber Alert System. We simply pick up where they leave off or never engage due to program crite-ria. Peas In Their Pods Organizational goal takes pride in helping to find missing children of color, fight against child abuse, and provide information to the public.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
ANNUAL HONK FOR ALL MISSING PERSONS
For questions/additional information please e-mail: [email protected]
In honor of National Missing Children’s Day (May 25) the Guardian Angels – Balti-more Chapter and Peas in Their Pods are hosting a nationwide campaign across the country where participants hold signs and banners of missing persons from that area to raise awareness of the number of people who go missing each year.
Date – Sunday June 1st 2014 (Rain Date June 7th 2014)
Time - 11:30 AM TO 1:00 P.M.
5 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
2ND ANNUAL “HONK FOR ALL MISSING PERSONS” CAMPAIGN
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
ANNUAL HONK FOR ALL MISSING PERSONS
For questions/additional information please e-mail: [email protected]
In honor of National Missing Children’s Day (May 25) the Guardian Angels – Balti-more Chapter and Peas in Their Pods are hosting a nationwide campaign across the country where participants hold signs and banners of missing persons from that area to raise awareness of the number of people who go missing each year.
Date – Sunday June 1st 2014 (Rain Date June 7th 2014)
Time - 11:30 AM TO 1:00 P.M.
6 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
For two years, Alive On Purpose has been intro-
ducing new methods of youth development, work-
ing with young people from disadvantaged eco-
nomic, social and family circumstances and work-
ing to prevent suicide. The Alive On Purpose Or-
ganization has actively sought to enrich the lives of
youth whom other youth groups, health care pro-
viders, and community centers have had difficulty
in reaching. We are dedicated to ensuring that our
community’s disadvantaged youth have access to
prevention, awareness, and support that is con-
sistent and relatable.
Here at Alive On Purpose we value life and believe
that an aligned partnership with the plan aimed at
suicide prevention, lead by former US Surgeon
General Dr. David Satcher, we are able to directly
support four of the eleven listed goals.
• Develop broad-based suicide prevention support;
• Develop and implement suicide prevention programs;
• Implement training to recognize at-risk behavior and
• Improve access to, and community linkages with
mental health and substance abuse services;
Our comprehensive local prevention and early in-
tervention efforts focus on NSSP Objectives two,
four, six, and eight, with special emphasis on assis-
tance in matters involving grief, as well as youth
issues within low income, at-risk communities
where the vast majority of the population suffering
from issues leading to suicide cannot afford, and
generally have limited to no access to, suicide pre-
vention and intervention resources. We strongly
emphasize primary prevention and early interven-
tion. Program activities will focus on awareness
and intervention. Imaliveonpurpose.org
We Believe In Life Over Suicide
7 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
With a plastic bag in hand, LaToyia Jones tried to suffocate herself at the age of 14. On the surface, however, life for Jones was fairly decent. She lived in a good, Cleveland Heights home with a lov-ing, adoptive family. They took great care of her. Within Jones' reach was support from top-notch doctors and counselors. Church members stepped in to provide encouragement.And yet, the plan to commit suicide stayed at the forefront of her men-tality. That's because an unbearable void was to blame.“At that moment, I didn't understand a moth-er that could abandon her child. I had a father who didn't come see me,” said Jones, whose parents were addicted to crack cocaine. “Feeling like you're inadequate, that you don't matter, that you don't fit in, that no one would want you, the feel-ings of rejection really dominated my thoughts.”Which are emotions Jones experienced as far back as she can remember. During the first 7 years of her life, she spent long periods left alone in cars, schools, and other places because of her mom's drug addiction.
Eventually, Jones was placed in the foster care
system. By the time she was 8 years old, her aunt and uncle had adopted a small, confused, child who viewed life as abnormal.Though grateful for her adoptive parents, Jones needed more an-swers. “I had a lot of resentment, a lot of pain and misunderstanding not knowing why she did what she did, why she left me where she left me,” said Jones about her mother.But, on the upside she added: “It didn't really make sense until I became an adult.”And so today, 30-year-old Latoyia Jones is founder of a non-profit organization called Alive on Purpose – established in 2012
LaToya Jones Founder
8 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
•The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger •The parent must have contacted law enforcement
to report child missing. •A RILYA Alert may also be issued if the child is clas-
sified as a runaway by the police. If the parent has reported missing child and has convincing evidence that child does not have a history of running away, an alert will be initiated within the 1st hour. We rec-ognize that at times, not all information is readily available (ie. license plate numbers, name of abduc-tor, or witness to abduction. In such cases, the avail-able information will be reviewed and verified prior to RILYA Alert.
•The law-enforcement agency believes the child is in
imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
•All children of color meeting
the criteria for the Amber Alert will also receive the RILYA Alert If these criteria are met, alert information is assembled for public distribution. This infor-mation may include descriptions and pictures of the missing child, the suspected abductor, and a suspected vehi-cle along with any other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
*The staff at Peas In Their Pods respectfully re-
quests that once a child is found that any organiza-tion posting information remove their pictures from their sites.
RILYA ALERT CRITERIA (REPORTING A MISSING CHILD)
9 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Jamal Abdul'faruq
Missing Since Apr 16, 1990 Missing From Richmond, VA
Age Now 31
WOW ... What happened to this innocent Child ?? Basil Ab-
dul'Faruq and his brother, Jamal, begged their mother to let them go
outside to play. It was spring break, April 16, 1990, and the boys
wanted to join other kids in their Richmond, Virginia, neighborhood.
Their mother, Tambar Ellis, was tired after working the night shift at
the nearby DuPont factory. She didn't worry about Basil, 8, and
Jamal, 7, playing outside. They walked to school on their own every
day. "Jamal was the one who asked could they go out," Ellis said. "I
said, 'of course.' "
It was the last time she would see her children. She said she took a
short nap, about 30 minutes. Then she walked outside to call the boys
in for dinner. "I called them, and I didn't get a response," she said.
She searched the grounds surrounding the 600-unit apartment com-
plex and then a playground about a block away. As the minutes
passed, she started to panic. "After about maybe four or five minutes
of looking for your kids, you go through a wave of a different emo-
tions," Ellis said. "You know they're not up in someone's house, be-
cause they knew I wouldn't have allowed it. ... I couldn't believe they
weren't within hearing distance."
Ellis continued to call out to her sons for nearly 45 minutes. She
checked a convenience store at the front of the complex. They weren't
there. Ellis called the police. Search dogs, law enforcement officers
and volunteers canvassed the neighborhood. Helicopters surveyed the
area from above. "I was in the Army Reserves at the time," Ellis said,
"so a lot of soldiers were looking from my reserve unit."
The search continued into the night, and the following day and the
day after that. On the third day, Ellis and the boys' father, Everett Ab-
dul'Faruq received devastating news. The body of their oldest son,
Basil, was found 10 miles from home in a Chesterfield landfill. A
truck driver noticed the body protruding from a torn plastic garbage
bag. The boy's mouth had been gagged and his body bound with duct
tape, said Detective Johnny Capocelli of the Chesterfield Police De-
partment. He'd been stabbed twice in the back, and his skull was frac-
tured. "I never saw my son's body," Ellis said. "They recommended
that I not see his body."
The medical examiner determined that the stab wounds killed Basil.
The skull fracture occurred after he died, an autopsy showed. "It
started off as a missing persons case with us," said Richmond Police
Detective James P. Baynes, "and then became Chesterfield's murder
case." Although Basil's death was ruled a homicide, police were left
without a suspect and without any clues leading to Jamal.
"After they found Basil, they spent at least a day going through all of
the rest of the trash in that dump, poking the bags," Baynes said. In-
vestigators identified the truck that carried Basil's body to the dump,
but the lead went nowhere. "You're talking about 90 possible Dump-
sters," Baynes said. As with most missing child cases, investigators
turned their attention to the boys' parents. They seized duct tape and
other evidence from Abdul'Faruq's
home. But both parents were even-
tually cleared. "They've been very
cooperative from the very begin-
ning," Capocelli said. He declined
to identify what, if any, additional
evidence was collected in the mur-
der investigation.
DNA testing wasn't readily availa-
ble at the time Basil's body was
found and Jamal vanished.
Now, he says, law enforcement has
access to a DNA database that could
prove helpful. "Our state lab has
agreed to look at the duct tape that was found on [Basil]," Baynes
said. "They're going to test it to see if they can find something they
couldn't find when the boys went missing, anything that is separate
from Basil's DNA."
Investigators are hopeful the DNA tests will lead to answers. They
also are eager for credible tips.
"We got two tips saying Jamal was alive and he was living in Hines-
ville, Georgia," Baynes said. The anonymous tips, received in June,
came after the boys' story aired on "America's Most Wanted." The
broadcast featured an age-enhanced photo showing what Jamal might
look like at 26 years old. "Someone saw a person in Wal-Mart that
looked like the enhanced photo they had seen on TV," said Maj.
Thomas Cribbs of the Hinesville police. Detectives reviewed the Wal-
Mart surveillance tapes but were unable to substantiate the caller's
identity.
"There wasn't anyone we could connect with," Cribbs said. "We had
nobody to go back and talk to, to ask them, 'Where did you see this
person? What can you tell me?' " Capocelli believes that Jamal may
still be alive. Baynes agrees. "I think there's a strong possibility that
Jamal's alive, and I think we will find the person who's responsible,"
Baynes said.
Ellis holds out hope every day
that her son will be found. "You
hear of Jaycee Dugard," she said.
referring to the California woman
who was abducted at age 11 and
found alive last year, 18 years later. "Anything is possible. I don't
give up," she added. "I had my theory about why one [boy] was
found ... that Basil was trying to protect him," Ellis said. "They were
protective of each other."
"Detective Baynes has been working countless days and nights,"
Capocelli said. "I can tell you from all my years of cold cases, this is
never going to be one that sits on the shelf and gathers dust."
When he disappeared, Jamal was 4 feet tall and weighed 47 pounds.
He was wearing a black Batman T-shirt, jeans and white sneakers. If
you have any information on this case please call The Richmond City
Police Department (Virginia) - Missing Persons Unit 1-804-646-5100
MISSING RICHMOND VA
10 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
It's Just A Dream is an Atlanta based organization that was founded in 2008 by
Monique Lewis. It’s Just A Dream mission is to encourage girls ages 10-18 to pursue
their dreams and promote social change through community advocacy and the vision
is to vanquish insecurities and create visionaries. Unfortunately, many young women
are settling for mediocrity and not living fulfilled lives. Our goal is to encourage young
women to dream and have a vision for their future.
A common question is why is the name It’s Just A Dream? It’s simple because it is
just a dream and it is achievable. The name is not to diminish the value of dreams,
but to give power to the dreamer. For example, It’s just a dream why can’t I be pres-
ident? It’s just a dream why not climb Mount Everest? It’s
Just a dream what’s stopping me from starting a business?
Although, we can find a negative thought to every question
the power is in the fact that we can accomplish all things.
It’s Just A Dream encourages girls to:
Embrace their fear and not allow it to paralyze their future.
Identify who you are and not who the world say you are
Know your worth and not settle
Be kind to all
Have integrity
Each point is vital to living the life that dreams are
made of. “The key to happiness is having dreams. The key
to success is making your dreams come true.” –James Allen
www.itsjustadream.org
Monique Lewis growing up in Paterson allowed me to
be exposed to all walks of life from the streets to the sub-
urbs. I have always had a heart to help others reach their
goals and motivate them to see life in a new light. It was
always easy for me to motivate others, but not so easy for
myself. I struggled with being the tall, dark, skinny girl and
no matter how beautiful others said I was I didn’t believe
it. I struggled with understanding my self-worth after sexu-
al abuse. I credit my God first and my family for always
being supportive of me. I know that I can do all things and
I believe that it is my calling in life to instill that in others.
So the question is “Is it just a dream?”. No, this is my reali-
ty. www.itsjustadream.org
Vanquishing insecurities and creating visionaries Monique Lewis
11 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
12 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
MISSING:Searching for Shaton Robinson
6 Brothers Separated & Adopted 1999
Shaton where are you? After reading about what these six boys had to endure at such young ages one would wonder the uncertain-ty, lack of reasoning, search-ing for a love that was tragi-cally taken from them.
So many questions, hopefully some answers, my mind still even today can’t phantom how anyone could or would bring such tragedy to children. How would they
go on to become strong young men? Will they ev-er see each other again? Will they ever be able to forgive their father?
Honestly I was hoping before this edition of P.E.A.S Magazine came out, Shaton had been lo-cated and the brothers are planning a huge cele-bration. Here is what I know about the Robinson family. We need your help in sharing this story, help Xavier and his brothers locate Shaton.
Xavier Robinson’s wish is to reunite with all his brothers, Scott, Fontaz, Dion, Dontrice & Shaton, all were separated and adopted by members of the family, after their mom Arletha Brown was killed by their father (Scott Robinson incarcerated) in September of 1999 South Toledo Ohio. Xavier and four other brothers have since been reunited.
Xavier (at the time of his mother’s death was only six years old)
Xavier and his brothers are now searching for Shaton this will complete the family as they know of today. Xavier has taken to social media in hopes of gathering leads in locating Shaton, a fa-cebook page/twitter/instagram has been set up.
Xavier is optimistic even with the lack of leads thus far, since making his plea on social networks, the response has been nothing less than support-ive. We are confident the news that is yet to come will bring a great joy.
Denise Bethune
Editor-In-Chief/Publicity Manger Peas In Their Pods
13 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
MISSING:Searching for Shaton Robinson
14 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Girls In Charge is a
program for girls 10-
19. Girls will interact
weekly by attending
fun-filled sections
where they are sur-
rounded by positive
women who will guide
and inspire them.
They will have support from women who want
to prepare them as they grow and mature and
go out into the world. These women will help
them develop the necessary skills to go after
and achieve their dreams.
The beginning of 2013 it was placed on my
heart to start an organization for girls in Atlanta
and surrounding areas. Young women begin to
notice things about themselves and they be-
come quite aware of a lot of things around
them. Feeling loved and appreciated and having
confidence and self-esteem are just some of
the things that are important for any girl. That's
where Girls In Charge comes in at. We work to
help every girl develop confidence, self-esteem
and true sense of self.
Girls In Charge motto: Our goal is to create
a haven for girls from all walks of life. We aim
to uplift and promote confidence along with self
-esteem. We work to show every girl that en-
ters our doors that it's possible to take hold of
their lives and accomplish all their dreams.
Founder Keisha Wells
www.thegirlsincharge.com
Alexis Murphy is a 17 year old girl who has been missing
since August 3, 2013. She is from Nelson County, Va
If you have any information about Alexis or if you saw
Randy Taylor or his truck please call (434) 263-7050
15 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
BRUNCH EGG CASSEROLE
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons butter 1 (4.5 ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained 1/3 cup sliced green onions 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 2 cups diced fully cooked ham 8 eggs 1 3/4 cups milk 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine Cheddar and mozzarella cheese in a small
bowl; place 3 cups cheese mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir mushrooms, onions, and red pepper until veg-etables are tender, about 5 minutes; drain. Spread vegetables over cheese mixture. Top mushroom mixture with ham; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese mixture. Beat eggs in a bowl; mix in milk, flour, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour egg mix-
Cooking With Author Sharon Fox
CAKE MIX DINNER ROLLS
2½ cups warm water (110°) 2 pkg. (4½ tsp) active dry yeast
1 (15.25 oz – 18 oz) yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines is my choice) 1 Tbsp. oil
5 cups plain flour 1½ tsp salt
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
In bowl of mixer, pour warm water, sprinkle yeast over, then cake mix. Let sit 5 minutes. Add oil, flour, and salt, mix all together. Knead. Let rise 1 hour. Knead lightly
again, pat out and cut for rolls and place on sprayed baking sheet or divide evenly into 30 pieces, make balls and place in two sprayed 9″x13″ pans. Can also be made into
two large loaves. Let rise until double. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes for rolls and 30-35 minutes for loaves. Brush with melted butter as they come from the
oven
16 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
17 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Pieces of a Dream, Inc. is a Delaware-based modern
dance company dedicated to the development of artists
and the presentation of original, non-traditional works.
We explore contemporary societal issues through the
medium of dance to engage the community and pro-
vide opportunities for discussion and education. We
support the holistic well-being of our artists by fostering
creativity as well as education in pertinent life issues
such as financial literacy, collaboration and healthy rela-
tionships.
We envision a future where Pieces of a Dream, Inc.
is home to Delaware’s premiere dance company. Gen-
erations of emerging and established artists compete
for the opportunity to train, perform, and produce un-
der Pieces of a Dream’s umbrella. Our work is integral
to the civic and cultural life of Delaware and the sur-
rounding areas, and our region is robust with thriving
dancers and choreographers who are attracted to the
wellness programming we have created for art profes-
sionals. Pieces of a Dream’s educational workshops are
sought after by schools and universities from all along
the East Coast. Organizations specializing in training
young people in the arts recognize Pieces of a Dream
as the best professional program in the Mid-Atlantic Re-
gion, and actively encourage their students’ participa-
tion.
Founded in 2007 by Executive and Artistic Director
Ashley SK Davis (formerly Ashley L. Sullivan-Kirksey),
Pieces of a Dream Dance Theatre is a professional
dance company that performs original modern and con-
temporary choreography. The company is grounded in
the belief that dance is socially relevant beyond its aes-
thetic appeal. As such, the company’s repertoire dis-
cusses a range of topics that are specifically pertinent
to modern society, like domestic violence and the his-
toric riots
that
changed
the emo-
tional
makeup of
Wilming-
ton, Dela-
ware. The
uniqueness
of each
choreographer adds variety to this modern dance-based
repertorie, while simultaneously blending to create a
complete vision. Keeping in tune with its focus on life
beyond dance performance, Pieces of a Dream, Inc. is
extremely involved in community development and the
holistic personal development of its company members.
Company members are not only encouraged to contin-
ue to grow artistically, but Pieces of a Dream Dance
Theatre members attend workshops covering a variety
of topics, including mental wellness and financial litera-
cy. www.PiecesofaDream.org Ashley SK Davis Executive & Artistic Director . Ashley SK Davis
(formally Ashley L. Sullivan-Kirksey) is a native of Wilmington, Dela-
ware. She began her stage career at the age of 3 and is formally
trained in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, African dance forms,
and Irish Step dancing. A graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta,
Georgia, Ashley was quite involved with the arts while on campus.
As a member of the Spelman College Dance Theatre and Mahogany
in Motion Dance Team, Ashley studied under Nathan Trice, a regular
choreographer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. In addition
to the countless productions in which she performed, she also di-
rected and choreographed for several shows including the Ms. Spel-
man Coronation for Spelman College and the Miss Black and Gold
Pageant for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
It all began with a simple idea. Actually, not an idea; it was more like a vision, or a wish. But not a wish in full, just Pieces thereof. It was barely a fully contemplated thought. The feeling reminded me of waking in the early morning with the pleasant remnants of a faintly-remembered dream...
Dance is intrinsically essential to human development.
18 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Brian Andrewin
Missing Since:Jul 10, 1995 Missing From: Chicago, IL
DOB:Aug 25, 1978 Age Now:35 Brian's photo is shown age-progressed to 30 years. He was last seen playing
basketball with some friends in a local park on July 10, 1995. He has not
been seen or heard from since. He has a birthmark on the right side of his
neck and a small scar on his eyebrow. ANYONE HAVING INFOR-
MATION SHOULD CONTACT Chicago Police Department (Illinois) 1-
312-747-5789
Jaquilla Scales
Missing Since Sep 5, 2001 Miss-
ing From Wichita, KS Age Now
17
Jaquilla was last seen on
September 5, 2001 at 12:30
a.m. in her bed of her home
in Wichita, Kansas. She
was discovered missing around 3:00 a.m. and was
last seen wearing a knee-length flowered night-
shirt and tan barrettes in her hair. Jaquilla has a
scar on her upper right leg, a brown birthmark on
her face, and her upper teeth are decayed. She
may also answer to the name Grammy-Boo.
There were no signs of forced entry, no signs of a
struggle, and the family dog did not bark. The
back door was currently broken, therefore it was
not locked during the time of her disappearance.
Jaquilla and her mother, Eureka Scales, lived with
her maternal grandmother, Mattie Mitchell, and
two uncles in a small ranch house at 1618 N.
Volutsia, north of 13th and west of Hillside.
Jaquilla's dad was not in the picture. Jaquilla’s
mother was staying at a friend’s house that even-
ing and regrets she was not there at the time her
daughter went missing. On September 4, 2011
Eureka Scales was interviewed about her daugh-
ter’s disappearance and expresses the sadness she
experiences every day since her daughter went
missing. Jaquilla is described to be a very
talkative happy child and loved a doll that
could turn over by itself. Jaquilla’s case re-
mains unsolved. If you have any information
about this case please call The Wichita Police
Department (Kansas) 1-316-268-4220
MISSING KANSAS/FLORIDA
19 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
20 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
21 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Giving deserving individuals a second chance ... at reaching their dreams.
When Margaret Jackson (Founder) lost her son
Richard (RJ) Jackson (pictured) in an accident in
2010 she had two options. One option was to fall
into depression, wallow in self pitty and spend a life-
time anguishing over the unfairness of such a trage-
dy. The second option was to mourn, but at the
same time celebrate Richard and the joy he brought
to her and the people around him.
Margaret chose to do the second. She turned
her pain and loss into joy and hope for others and
RJ Smiles, Inc. was born. The name was chosen
because Richard (RJ) was known for his genuine,
infectious and contagious smile. When he smiled
negatives were turned into positives. Margaret was
determined to continue this legacy.
RJ Smiles is committed to helping foster happi-
ness, hope and smiles in the lives of others by
working to give them a second chance at their
dreams. Throughout our lives we are sometimes
confronted with things that affect our ability to con-
tinue and move forward in the way initially planned.
What we thought were our dreams are no longer
possible. Our lives...our dreams must be revamped
and given a second chance. At RJ Smiles, we help
individuals who have had a major setback or loss.
Our goal is to help these individuals and give them
a second chance at reaching their dreams.
In addition to working with individuals, we also
work hard to assist other non profit organizations
with achieving their dreams. When working with the-
se organizations (hospitals, shelters, etc) one of the
most popular and called upon dream makers is the
RJ Smiles Smile Box. Smile boxes vary and can be
prepared based on the needs of the individuals
served by the organization. What is in the Smile
Box...is always a surprise. To learn more about RJ
Smiles, Inc. please visit: www.rjsmiles.org
Do you have a dream that could change your life?
Tell us about it. [email protected]
Margaret E Jackson is an Educator, Speaker and certified Life strategist whose passion is helping women manage transitions, life challenges, and transformation. Margaret has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Dartmouth College and a Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling from American University. She credits her life experiences for giving her the knowledge and ability to work
with individuals and speak on topics related to managing change.
Margaret, is also the founder of RJ Smiles, Inc. a nonprofit created as a legacy to her son and dedicated to helping individuals achieve their dreams. Margaret can be contacted for speaking engagements, workshop presentations and information through the website at www.margaretejackson.com or ww.rjsmiles.org.
22 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
TEEKAH LEW-
IS
DOB: Jul 4, 1996 Age Now: 16
Missing: Jan 23, 1999 Missing From:
TACOMA, WA
Teekah Lewis was last seen on
January 23, 1999 at approximately
10:30 p.m. at the New Frontier
Lanes bowling alley in Tacoma,
Washington. Nearly a dozen of
Teekah's relatives were there.Teekah's family members--her
mother, uncle and her mother's boyfriend--took turns staying
with Teekah and watching over her. When her uncle briefly
turned around to watch someone in their group bowl, he was
only about a foot away from the toddler. But when he turned
back toward where Teekah had been sitting, she was gone.
Teekah's family searched for her, and after a few minutes, ran
up to alert the Tacoma police officer who was working security
for New Frontier Lanes. He made an announcement over the
loudspeaker. Teekah's family and others who were at the alley
began searching everywhere, and police stopped everyone leav-
ing the parking lot According to police, the game room where
Teekah was last seen was only six feet away from the exit. Po-
lice had no leads and Teekah was no where to be found.
Teekah's biological father was in prison at the time, which
ruled out a custodial abduction. Police questioned registered
sex offenders in the area and checked the background of the
bowling alley's employees, but came up empty-handed. A wit-
ness said they saw a 1980s Pontiac Grand Am pull out of the
parking lot around the time that Teekah disappeared. The vehi-
cle was maroon with dark windows and a large spoiler. If you
have any information concerning this case, please contact: Ta-
coma Police Department
Detective Larry Lindberg
253-798-4721
JOSHUA DA-
VIS
DOB: Aug 16, 2009 Missing: Feb 4,
2011 Missing From: NEW BRAUN-
FELS, TX Joshua was last seen at his home on
the afternoon of February 4, 2011.
He was last seen wearing a blue and
red button down long sleeve shirt, a
gray long sleeve Rocawear shirt,
dark blue Rocawear jeans, a beige and white Rocawear onesie, a
diaper, and black and white socks. He may be in need of medical
attention. UPDATE : An 18-month old toddler is still missing, despite the
best efforts of New Braunfels Police and nearby neighbors who
went out into the cold night searching for the young boy. Police
officials say they were first called out to the 26-hundred block of
Savannah Hill Circle (which sits off of Klein Road, on the east
side of I-35) just before 9 o’clock last night after the mother of
the 18-month old boy reported him missing. She had last seen
him inside their residence about 20-minutes prior to calling po-
lice, and responding officers searched the home multiple times,
then added a grid search of the entire neighborhood, with no
luck finding the toddler. So a DPS helicopter was called in to
search by air, while 24-hundred residents in the surrounding
area were notified of the incident through the city’s Emergency
Notification System. Dozens of neighbors then poured into the
streets, helping New Braunfels Police and Guadalupe County
Sheriff’s Officers look for the young boy, but to no avail. The 18-
month old remains missing. A photo of the boy and his descrip-
tion has been released. His name is Joshua Davis, 18-months
old, 2-feet tall, weighing 30-pounds, last seen wearing a blue and
red long sleeve shirt and a grey long sleeve t-shirt, a beige and
white onesy and beige jeans, and black and white socks. Anyone
locating Joshua or knowing his whereabouts, please contact New
Braunfels Police immediately at 830-221-4100.
MISSING TEXAS/WASHINGTON
23 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
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25 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Kevin McClam Kevin was last seen at 1:00 a.m. on March 30, 1997 at his family's residence in Goose
Creek, South Carolina. The home is located in the Charleston Naval Weapons Station; his family was in the U.S. Navy in 1997. Kevin was playing video games with his younger sister that evening. When his mother came home, they spoke for awhile and Kevin's sister and mother went to bed. Kevin said he would stay up and play more video games. When his family members woke up, he had disappeared. He has never been heard from again.
Kevin's clothing was found two days after his disappearance, at a nearby construction site.
The articles of clothing were separated by about five or ten feet along the road. There was no sign of him at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a person who matched Kevin's description walking along a dirt road near the construction site during the afternoon hours of March 30. The individual was wearing only sneak-ers and boxer shorts and appeared to be alone and not under duress.
Kevin's mother says it is uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning; he never missed a meal and always returned home by dark. He was an eighth-grader at Marrington Middle School at the time of his disappearance, a good student who was well-liked by teachers and did not use drugs. He played basketball. His mother believes her
son possibly sneaked out of his house to meet his friends the night he vanished, but all of Kevin's friends deny having seen him on the night he went missing. There was no sign of forced entry to his home. In early 2006, authorities announced they were investigating Kevin's case as a homicide due to new forensic evidence and new tips from the public. An unsuccessful search for his remains was conducted in the Goose Creek area in October. In December, authorities publicly named a suspect in Kevin's presumed murder: Thomas McCardle, who is presently incarcerated on unrelated robbery charges. A photograph of him is posted below this case summary. Another man, Michael Moorcroft, reportedly bragged about how he and McCardle
had killed Kevin. Moorcroft, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing related to Kevin's disappearance, claims he only made up the story. Kevin was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His family moved out of
South Carolina in 1998 and currently live in Georgia
MISSING South Carolina
26 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
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Love In The Air
Mother & Daughter Team Spreading Love
Florence Angels (Brandi Smith)
28 P.E.A.S Magazine March 2014 Edition
Peas In Their Pods
children are our first priority www.peasintheirpods.com