Super supporters

Urban education majors have partnered with a Seattle, WA based nonprofit that assists young children who are battling illness or disability.

Words by Angelica Anas ’14

Students Cynthia Perez (left) and Robyn Beekman making masks that were delivered to children with serious illnesses or disabilities.

Move over, Superman! A new generation of superheroes has emerged whose daily battles are fought with a special type of strength against a different kind of foe.

Tiny Superheroes is a Seattle, WA based nonprofit organization that seeks to empower young children who are battling illness or disability by giving them personalized superhero capes. Now, these little warriors and the organization that supports them have a new ally: students in TCNJ’s urban education program.

Throughout the semester, students have been sewing and decorating masks, which are given to the tiny caped crusaders when they have important events coming up, like a surgery or a birthday. The point is “to remind them that we are still thinking of them and that they truly are super,” Assistant Professor Tabitha Dell’Angelo, coordinator of TCNJ’s urban education program, explained.

“These kids are dealing with tremendous challenges, and this is a way [for students] to send love and make a difference for a child [they] don’t even know,” Dell’Angelo added.