Shoe Voucher Program


For More Information, Contact Emily Engelken, Shoe Voucher Program Chairperson
 emilye@familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.com
(319) 389-9143


Visit our Contact Us page if you are interested in volunteering, or call 319-294-9706.

What It Is
The Shoe Voucher Program was started when Families Helping Families of Iowa was asked to help a foster family with a toddler whose shoes were so small, the ends had been cut off so he could continue to wear them. Families Helping Families has partnered with the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids to offer this amazing program. The Shoe Voucher Program entitles each child residing in foster care, kinship care, residential treatment or a suitable other placement to receive one FREE pair of athletic shoes once yearly.

Referrals can be made by contacting the Program Chairperson, Emily Engelken, and we will mail out a $50 voucher to be redeemed at the Famous Footwear on 1st Avenue in Cedar Rapids. When submitting request, please provide the Foster Child's first & last name, age, gender, name of Social Worker, Foster Parent's first & last name, addresss and phone number.


Shoe Voucher History
Thanks to funds received from the Kiwanis Club, the Families Helping Families Annual Spring Gala, Private Donations & Grants, Families Helping Families has raised over $17,000 and provided over 340 pairs of shoes, in the past 3 years to children in foster care.

To make a donation to the Shoe Voucher Program and help us provide shoes for these precious "SOLES", please contact Emily Engelken.

Welcome to Families Helping Families of Iowa! We are a non-profit, volunteer group designed to help and support foster families. Families Helping Families is focused on meeting the needs of children in family foster care.


We believe that family is an essential part of any thriving community.  We collaborate with local, state and national foster care organizations in an effort to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas.  We are advocates for children placed in foster care, when their voices cannot be heard.



We are always looking for volunteers! Please contact us so we can discuss how to put your talents to work! 

If you are a Foster Parent in Eastern Iowa, please complete the form on the Contact Us page. This puts you on our mailing list and allows us to inform you of the programs and specials that we offer which may benefit the Foster Children in your care. Please be assured that your information will never be shared or sold and you will only be contacted regarding Families Helping Families business that we feel applies to you and your family.

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Families Helping Families has outgrown it's current location at the Benjamin Brace House! We are in need of a new location. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact:
 Leanne Loehr or Wendy Marner.

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