SEASON FOR CARING

This Austin family is looking for a memorable Christmas while grieving loss of 3-year-old

Austin American-Statesman

After a year of turmoil and loss, the Jerome family hopes for new beginnings this holiday season.

On an overcast Monday afternoon, the family’s kitchen and living room fill with children’s chattering and the sound of their feet as they pad from room to room.

Geyarian, 8, starts beatboxing to show off his skills.

Genayla, 3, sits in a highchair and licks the cream out of the Oreo cookies.

Quania, 10, eats a packaged ice cream cone. But when her mother, Ashley Joiner, asks her to bring 9-month-old Gemirah out of the bedroom, Quania sprints.

Joiner laughs. She promised Quania that she could pick up and carry her baby sister when she turned 10 years old, and now, Quania jumps at every chance.

The Jerome family is part of the Statesman’s Season for Caring program, which highlights the needs of local families and helps hundreds of others through local nonprofit organizations. The Jeromes were nominated by Any Baby Can.

Ashley Joiner and her husband, Georges Jerome, pose for a family portrait with their seven children, Gemirah Jerome, 9 months old, Jamirion Jerome, 2, Genayla Jerome, 3, Gemarian Jerome, 4, Marielle Jerome, 7, Geyarian Jerome, 8, and Quania Taplin, 10. The family would like to spend this holiday remembering daughter Javaeha Jerome, who was 3 when she died in March 2022.

The family of nine is working to return to normalcy after a tumultuous year. The family faced a loss last year when Javaeha, 3, died March 17, 2022, of acute pneumonia. The Jeromes were still reeling from the death when Child Protective Services removed the seven children from their parents because Javaeha’s death happened at home.

For months, Joiner and her husband, Georges Jerome, completed classes, underwent training and attended court hearings to regain custody of their children. The case was dismissed.

The family is still processing Javaeha’s loss.

Javaeha was born not breathing and diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a type of brain damage caused by lack of oxygen during or just after birth.

Joiner quit her job to stay home, while Jerome picked up extra work.

“I had to stop what I was doing and just care for her,” Joiner said. “When I had her, they gave her that night to live.”

In the upcoming holiday season, the family wants to take time to properly honor and celebrate Javaeha’s life.

“Last year was just so hectic, we didn’t get to celebrate the way we wanted,” Joiner said.

Learn more:12 families featured in the 25th Season for Caring program. Here's how you can help.

The Jerome family would love to give their children a memorable Christmas with toys, including sensory toys, as well as new clothing and shoes. They also need gift cards to H-E-B and Walmart for groceries and diapers, as well as help with rent and assistance navigating the medical system.

To find out more about the Jerome family or to give an item on their wish list, contact Any Baby Can, 512-276-8199; anybabycan.org.

About Season for Caring

The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 3B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.” Now through Dec. 25, all monetary donations will be matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family.