We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jalynda Poncin Cervantes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jalynda, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The concept of Wyandotte Angels came to my mind during the 2020 pandemic, when my husband Martin Cervantes and I would go and volunteer at local food distribution sites.
I witnessed and realized that there was a huge need lacking in our community for food resources, hygiene & clothing amongst many other basic necessities.
Especially since agencies were closing their doors to services during an unpredictable time.
I shared the idea of forming a group to help address these needs with my husband, who told me not to just think about it, but to do it.
So, I put together a grassroots organization called Wyandotte Angels and formed a group on Facebook.
I wanted it to have a special name so Wyandotte was for the community that we reside and call home and Angels was in honor and tribute to both my parents, Bernie & Florence Poncin, who has passed years earlier. I was still in deep grief over their passing and forming Wyandotte Angels gave me a purpose.
I originally thought that we could get 20 of our friends and acquaintances to clean out their closet’s and pantries and maybe we could provide basic needs to two families per month.
As of today we have 5.2 thousand Wyandotte Angels in our FB group worldwide and we have served tens of thousands of people in our community.
All of this is accomplished without funding and exchange of funds. It is solely built on the generosity of donors who truly want to help others in need.
I planted the seed and others have watered me and it has grown and resulted in a positive outcome for all involved.
Jalynda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m just a small town rural girl who was raised with solid work ethic and values. I came to Kansas City, Kansas after attending Washburn University of Topeka, where I participated as a collegiate athlete. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice & pursued that field for 35 1/2 years.
I started out as a Detention Officer, then a Probation Officer then I became a Pre-Sentence Investigator and then a Pre-Trial Officer. Two years ago, I was able to successfully attain my goal of retirement.
Trying to help people in need, has always been a basic practice of mine.
I witnessed my parents live a giving life and when they passed, I wanted to carry on some type of legacy that would make them proud of me.
I had no idea that forming this group would be as successful and positive as it is.
When you can provide basic needs for those who are struggling, it is just the right thing to do.
I believe that if we build unity in our community that all our lives are made better.
One of the most amazing things that has transpired out of this besides helping others in need, is the generosity of the donors who truly want to help. In reality, it turned out not to just be about food and clothing and hygiene. It turned out to be about life and survival and caring and comfort and knowing that there are people who are genuine and that we don’t judge and that they are important! So much can and has been achieved through Wyandotte Angels because we do not have major criteria that must be met in order to receive. The only criteria is that one must live within Wyandotte County. As I had to put some type of limitation on the area served in the Kansas City Metropolitan core because it is so large.
Wyandotte County is a special place with special people and I love making and having a positive impact while I am able.
I love organizing not only the weekly food blessing boxes that go out, but some of our biggest events have been KEEP WYANDOTTE WARM an annual fall event where we gather coats, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, and other winter items and pass out to those in need.. Also SANTA FOR SENIORS has been a past event in which we provided presents and bags of blessings for some of our senior population who are often times forgotten.
To me, the best gift that we can give them, is our presence.
The gift of time.
So as we deliver those gifts, we ask our volunteers who help us, to spend a few moments visiting.
We have also done events like Valentine’s For Veterans, in which bags were presented to some of the veteran population in our community.
And one of my funnest events I have organized is our Secret Santa Angel envelopes, in which our volunteers fly through throughout the community and pick people who they believe could use a hand up and present them with a gift card.
And it’s not just events that are our purpose. It’s every day living.
It’s getting beds for children or adults who sleep on the floor,
it’s giving can openers and silverware and plates to people who don’t have any thing to eat off of. It’s a lot of organizing posts of items that people want to pass along.
Often, we take so much for granted, and when you can give, share, and witnesses the gratitude that is expressed, than our time is well spent.
One of the proudest moments for me was when Kansas State Representative, Lynn Melton, chose me and Wyandotte Angels to receive and be given a proclamation by the State Of Kansas in recognition of our efforts and positive impact in the community.
I was able to share that moment with some very special family members and friends standing by my side. A moment and event that I will never forget.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
One of my greatest joys in life is getting to share it with my husband Martin Cervantes Sr., Who is the co~founder and muscle to Wyandotte Angels.
I gave him the title of Pantry Boss because he packs a mean Blessing Box of Food and often hauls and delivers them.
He also, is the Founder of a local non profit organization in Kansas City, Kansas called Lowriding 2 Success.
It is a group that mentors and guides many youth in our community.
The number 2 in the name of the organization stands for second chances in life, from which Martin is a product of.
He is a constant source of love and encouragement.
Him and I are a most unlikely couple. However, we are a fierce, driven and loving team.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Organizing and doing this volunteer work, or my God job, is not for the weak or faint of heart.
As we know during difficult times through life that not everybody is kind, caring, or grateful.
Being verbally attacked and berated from some, can take a toll on one’s confidence and passion.
Sorting through the negative and focusing on the positive remains a battle.
When I started Wyandotte Angels, I only thought that we would do it throughout the pandemic. However, 4 years in, I think that we are stronger than ever, more passionate than ever and
more driven than ever
and kindness wins!
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