Virginia Chapter 89 Supports Children Aging Out of Foster Care

Representative Lisa Landes-Haynes and Chapter 89 in Rocky Mount, VA, are working to support those in need in Franklin County.

In December, Landes-Haynes and other chapter leaders came together to shop for Fostering Champions, a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping children who are transitioning out of the foster care system.

At the end of 2024, Fostering Champions opened a four-bedroom home for boys ages 18-21; a similar home for girls aging out of the foster care system is also being constructed.

In support of the home’s grand opening, the Chapter 89 team went out and filled shopping carts and laundry baskets with things the kids would need, such as hygiene products, bedroom items, and other necessities.

“Pastor Bobby Canipe, the founder of Fostering Champions, had a vision to help our young people who were aging out of the foster care program. He started about two years ago asking people in Franklin County to give funds, materials, services, time, and effort to help our young people,” Landes-Haynes said.

The Franklin County community came through to help get the home completed.

“Some of these youths don’t have anywhere to go. They need guidance and direction on how to spend their money, how to plan their own meals, how to get a job, and how to become active members within their communities.”

Landes-Haynes said this first shopping event was just the beginning for Chapter 89 — volunteers have committed to shopping every time a new tenant moves in.

“We got more generic items in December since we didn’t actually shop with the boys, but we will be taking the young people out to get more personalized items once they are in the homes,” she said.

The goal of these shopping trips isn’t just material goods.

“Our hope is for the young people to feel encouraged during these trips,” Landes-Haynes said. “For many, this is the first time they get to pick out things for themselves. Some of them haven’t had that experience.”

The chapter volunteers also hope to teach these youths important life skills, like managing money, budgeting, and shopping for groceries.

In addition to the shopping trips, Landes-Haynes said the chapter also donated clothes to another group of children who were on the cusp of aging out of the foster care system, as well as $600 for holiday presents and other necessities.

Helping Her Community

Before Landes-Haynes started at WoodmenLife in 2017, she was already dedicating her time to the community after an early retirement from her previous career.

“I started working with First Responders through fundraising and food drives. I love making cakes, so they auctioned my cakes,” she said. “I was doing whatever I could because I never had the time before. And about that time is when WoodmenLife found me.”

When Recruiting Sales Manager Scott Koebel told her about WoodmenLife’s community outreach efforts, she was on board.

Among the projects Chapter 89 and Landes-Haynes have done are: purchased holiday gifts for children in need, provided breakfast for a local school district’s staff, recognized members of the Sheriff’s Department, and more.

“We continue to help and support our community in so many ways while recognizing those that make a difference every day.”

Landes-Haynes emphasized that the chapter’s work is a team effort.

“There are a lot of moving parts when looking to help in our community, and I couldn’t do any of these things without my chapter members,” she said. “They offer suggestions on areas that need attention. They provide support with the investment of their time, showing up to the meetings and being at functions. They really are active.

“It’s a tremendous group, and they are very effective in our community.”

Landes-Haynes said it is her goal to make Chapter 89 a local staple for those in need.

“It is my passion to put us in the position of, if anyone in the community needs an American flag, help with your school, your fire department, your rescue squad, homeless shelter, food bank — call me.”

Written by: Cheyenne Alexis, Communications Strategist

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