THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JACKSON MS INC

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JACKSON ORGANIZED AND RAN APPROXIMATELY 30 COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES IN THE JACKSON AREA. THE PROJECTS STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE IN THE JACKSON AREA AND FOCUS ON THE IMPACT AREAS OF EARLY LITERACY, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. JLJ ALSO HOSTED A DAY OF SERVICE, PROVIDING OUR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER DURING THE MORNING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY. JLJ ALSO HOSTED A COMMUNITY FARMER'S MARKET WHICH PROVIDED FREE PRODUCE AND FREE LUNCHES TO THE WEST JACKSON COMMUNITY AND OFFERED FAMILY FREINDLY ACTIVITIES LIKE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING, VISION AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, AND A MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION. THE PROJECT FOCUSED ON EDUCATION AROUND HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND COMBATTING FOOD INSECURITY. JUNIOR LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS PLANNED AND LED SUMMER CAMPS FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES OF EARLY LITERACY, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THESE SUMMER CAMPS SERVED STUDENTS FROM THE JACKSON METRO AREA AND INCLUDED ACTIVITIES IN READING, WRITING, MATH, MUSIC, DRAMA, PHYSICAL FITNESS, AND THE ARTS. ADDITIONALLY, VOLUNTEERS COORDINATED MEALS AND SNACKS, FIELD TRIPS, AND SHOWCASES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS. THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JACKSON PARTNERED WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MISSISSIPPI TO AWARD MORE THAN $100,000 IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT SPECIAL INITIATIES AND LESSONS SUBMITTED BY JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS. JUNIOR LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS PARTNERED WITH THE MISSISSIPPI FOOD NETWORK TO PACK AND DELIVER MORE THAN 6,000 BACKPACKS WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS. THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF JACKSON VOLUNTEERS SERVED COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY, INCLUDING A LECTURE SECIRIES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING AUTISM, ADHD, AND ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED DINNER FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN. THE JUNIOR LEAGUE REIMAGINED ITS ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE INTO "JUMBLE GIVES," A NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT THAT ALLOWED VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DONATE ITEMS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED AS NEEDED BY A COMMUNITY PARTNER. IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR, THESE DONATION DRIVES INCLUDED COLLECTED UNIFORM ITEMS FOR JACKSON PUBLIC SCOOLS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, LUGGAGE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN, AND DIAPERS, AND WIPES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. THE 10TH ANNUAL TOUCH A TRUCK JACKSON EVENT WAS HELD AT TRUSTMARK PARK AND HAD MORE THAN 3,000 ATTENDEES. CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO SEE, TOUCH, AND INTERACT WITH EMERGENCY VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, AND MORE AT THIS FUN, FAMILY EVENT. THE "FIELD TRIP FRIDAY" EVENT WAS COMPLETELY FREE TO THE MORE THAN 900 SECOND GRADE STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED FROM LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THE "UNPLUGGED" EVENT WELCOMED STUDENTS WITH SENSORY NEEDS AT NO COST.