Home > Current Projects: 2009-2010

Current Projects: 2009-2010

Each year the Junior League of Sioux City (JLSC) selects community projects to fulfill our mission of developing the potential of women, improving our community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, and promoting volunteerism.  For the 2009-2010 League year, we are working on the following projects.

Siouxland Mental Health Project : A partnership between Junior League of Sioux City and Siouxland Mental Health to provide support to individuals dealing with a mental health issue and homelessness.  This partnership will also be working on increasing the Siouxland community’s awareness of such issues.

Mercy Backpack Project: A partnership that has grown through the years with Mercy Medical Centers Child Advocacy Center, the Mercy Backpack project’s primary focus for the year will be promoting community involvement and voluntarism.  The committee will be holding a Community Tying Day so others can assist in this worthwhile cause and also increase the awareness of child abuse and its impact upon our community.

Food Bank Project: Once again Junior League of Sioux City is working with the Siouxland Community Food Bank and their BackPack for Kids program.  JLSC members will not only be preparing bags for the children to take home on the weekends, but we will also be providing Inserts in the backpack for parents on topics such as nutrition, family activities, and other valued information to support healthy living in an economical manner.

Kids in the Kitchen: This national AJLI initiative to educate children and families on healthy eating is being implemented by the Junior League of Sioux City in many ways. This year’s committee has set a year-round effort on the preparation and eating of healthy snacks. The committee started their work this summer as a focal point at the Farmer’s Market.  A variety of events are being planned throughout the remainder of the year.

Community Projects

A special note to our community organizations:

November 16, 2009

For the League year 2009-2010, we will NOT be requesting project applications as we traditionally have in the past.  Our initiative this year is to research and evaluate the critical needs of our community and the interests of our members in order to determine a focus area for our future projects.

In the upcoming year (2010-2011), we will be celebrating our 90th anniversary of the Junior League of Sioux City.  To recognize and pay homage to our long history of volunteerism within the community, we will be looking for 9 short-term projects — one each month beginning August 2010 through April 2011 — that gives us the opportunity to again demonstrate the impact our League has in the community and the potential our future holds.

These nine “mini-projects” will be slightly larger than our traditional “Done-In-A-Day” events with some additional funding available.  We are looking for projects that incorporate a significant and meaningful volunteer component.  If you envision a project that is consistent with our vision and take place between August 2010 and April 2011, please fill out the DIAD Application and return to our office.  DIAD Application 1-2010.

Although we will not following our traditional funding cycle in the 2010-2011 League year, we will request project proposals that are consistent with our mission and make an impact within our newly identified focus area in the fall of 2010, to be acted upon in the 2011-2012 League year.

Thank you for your interest, participation and support.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Project Development Chair, Melanie Swain at melaniewashere@gmail.com, or by phone at 712-389-0500.

Mildred Anderson Grant Applications are now Available. Click Here

History: The JLSC Meeting Community Needs for 80+ Years

“Community” is what JLSC is all about.  It is what prompted the organization’s founder, Mary Harriman, to establish the movement in 1901, when the first Junior League was founded in New York City.   Harriman was an 18 year old college student who was concerned with the suffering she saw around her community.  In response to this problem, Harriman mobilized 80 other young women to work at a settlement house in lower Manhattan, providing support and guidance to families.  The Junior League idea spread rapidly across the country.  In 1921, more than 40 Leagues joined together to form the Association of Junior Leagues which was the year that the Junior League of Sioux City was founded.

Since its beginning, the JLSC has selected community projects on a regular basis that provide hands-on training for its members and service to the community.  Some examples through the years include:

  • 1920’s — Siouxland well-baby clinics
  • 1940’s — cultural activities for children residing at the Crittenton Center and The Boys and Girls Home
  • 1960’s — community tree planting for environmental awareness
  • 1980’s — educational opportunities for area kids with Kids on the Block, the Sioux City Art Center’s Hands-On! Gallery and the Rolling Readers program
  • 2000 — Emergency Backpack project for kids removed from their homes in cases of child abuse
  • Today:  Revitalizing the Chris Larsen Park playground.