J&V Cares Inc., is a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, GA whose goal is to administer community-based programs designed to promote recognition of first responders and bring joy into the lives of the bereaved who experience the recent loss of a loved one. The organization is named for James and Victoria Jackson, a loving couple from Atlanta whose lives were committed to giving back to those less fortunate and often overlooked. An entrepreneur, James often hired vets returning from war who experienced PTSD and were unable to find steady employment. He also gave opportunities to recovering drug addicts who had trouble finding employment. Victoria was a stay at home mother who raised six children. As a community activist she marched and fought for civil and voting rights while working diligently to provide needed textbooks denied to a local school. She also supported young people newly entering the ministry providing food and small cash donations to ease their journey. The compassion this couple showed to others strengthen their community. Their daughter, Audraine Jackson founded J&V Cares, Inc. in 2019 to administer two annual community programs, the 9-11 First Responders Appreciation program and the Flowers to Widows Valentine’s Day program.

Both programs originated in 2002.  The first one launched on February 14th was the Flowers to Widows program designed to surprises recent widows or widowers with flowers annually on Valentine’s Day in the name of their recently deceased loved one. The second program launched in the fall of that same year is called the September 11th First Responders Appreciation program that shows gratitude and recognition each year to police, firefighters and EMT’s by way of catered food delivery and recognition to the public through an annual media partner. The program also recognizes heroic acts like the I-85 bridge collapse team or officers lost in the line of duty.

Our tagline is J&V Cares, Inc., “compassion is strength”. We have brought unexpected joy and comfort to many like victims of the Atlanta Courthouse shooting where Judge Barnes’ widow, the deputy’s widow, the federal agent’s widow and even the daughter of the slain court reporter all received flowers on Valentine’s Day in the name of their loved one. For first responders lost in the line of duty, we are often the healing mechanism that brings colleagues together in recognition of their slain partners. We have served hundreds annually with huge feasts at their station or precinct and tell their stories on air with our media partner engaging the public to promote gratitude for these local heroes.