AIM For Jewels honors Jean, Debra’s mother and one of the most significant influences on her life and work. Jean served for decades as executive director of Aid to Incarcerated Mothers, known as AIM, supporting mothers and families affected by incarceration, separation, and child-welfare involvement.
Debra grew up watching Jean advocate for mothers who were working to preserve or rebuild their relationships with their children. As Debra grew older, she also helped with that work. Her experience assisting one of Jean’s clients helped lead Debra toward becoming a foster parent, allowing her to support children and families from another part of the same system.
A legacy philosophy
“If I could help someone along the way, then my living will not be in vain.”
The capitalized AIM in AIM For Jewels intentionally honors the work that came before it. AIM For Jewels is not presented as a new acronym. It is a continuation of influence, service, and the belief that mothers, children, caregivers, and families deserve to be seen as people of value and possibility.