Local News
A nonprofit organization in Dubuque assists people in overcoming generational poverty
By 
Part-time reporter
Dubuque, Iowa – In Dubuque, the Fountain of Youth Program aids in the eradication of generational poverty.
“Individuals need to know that they don’t have to settle for less, thinking it’s the best no more,” said Caprice Jones, founder of the Fountain of Youth. “We’re not a handout program. We’re a hand-up model.”
Jessica Scholtes, a resident of Dubuque, is one of the more than 1,000 individuals the program has assisted since its inception in 2016. Scholtes has been incarcerated for the majority of the last ten years, having served time for theft, methamphetamine use, and other offenses.
“It’s not worth it,” said Scholtes, a mother of three children. “I know that I put my kids through so much emotionally without my presence that it is not fair to them.”
In March 2023, Scholtes started spending time in the Fountain of Youth to transform while incarcerated in a Dubuque County cell.
The foundation hosts a Tuesday night support group called Real Talk and a 12-month course called Partners In Change that focuses on professional and personal development. After graduation, all Partners In Change graduates find employment, according to Jones.
This summer, Scholtes completed the program and is now employed at Hormel Foods Progressive Processing.
“Change is possible and can happen and you can do it and there’s a whole bunch of people out there willing to help.” insisted Scholtes. “I was always the outsider looking in like I was out here in a world I just existed in and now I’m out here living in this world.”
Scholtes is attempting to volunteer at the Fountain of Youth because he wants to be one of those resources.
“She wants to give back in that capacity, but she may no something greater than that,” explained Jones. “At the very least, if that door open up for her, I’ll definitely let her walk through it. I have high hopes for Jessica to make a difference in this community.”
The recent Fountain of Youth alum has spent the last 19 months sober.
