Junior League Of Jackson Miss Inc

Programs: The junior league of jackson continues to evaluate and strengthen its issue-based community impact model by reframing areas in which the league is working. The reframing was designed to further educate members, corporate sponsors and community partners about how the league works to maximize their presence by placing funds and volunteer hours into areas of critical need in the community. Annually, the league organizes approximately 30 projects to serve the community, focusing on the issues of early literacy, health and social development. The league hosted a community roundtable for local non-profit leaders aimed at helping them navigate and better understand poverty, a topic important to their missions. Experts joined to share their expertise, experiences and perspectives in poverty. Junior league volunteers planned and led five summer camps focused on the issues of early literacy, health and social development. These projects served students from the jackson area and included activities in reading, writing, math, music/drama, physical fitness, arts, conflict resolution and college readiness. Lessons also focused on the importance of staying in school. Additionally, volunteers coordinated meals and snacks, motivational assemblies and field trips. The junior league of jackson partnered with the community foundation of greater jackson to award over $100,000 in grants in support of special initiatives and lessons submitted by jackson public school teachers. Junior league of jackson volunteers partnered with the mississippi food network to pack and deliver close to 5,000 backpacks with nutritious foods for children and their families at brown and johnson elementary. Volunteers also stocked and staffed a food pantry for entire families to come and receive nutritious foods. Those families were identified by school nurses and teachers as being "food insecure" outside of school. Junior league of jackson volunteers received more than 9,000 hours of leadership training to be equipped to work as leaders in other service organizations in the jackson area community. The ultimate rummage sale, the junior league jumble, was held for the 4th year. The jumble, which serves as both a community and fund development project, provides shoppers the opportunity to purchase gently used merchandise at bargain prices. In addition, the 4th annual touch a truck jackson event was held in the spring at trustmark park. Volunteers helped over 2,000 children from local schools explore different trucks and service equipment during field trip friday. The funds raised on saturday through this dual community and fund development project help support the mission of the league while providing a unique experience for families and children in the jackson area. The junior league of jackson made two philanthropic contributions to its two signature projects. The league finished paying off its pledged donation to the mississippi children's museum early with a $600,000 final payment. The league also donated $400,000 to the batson children's hospital expansion capital campaign.