The Junior League of Columbia is proud of our continued partnership with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity and joined forces this year to uphold their vital mission of providing affordable housing and supporting financial stability for families who need it most. 

The recent build project for Janezia’s home was an inspiring testament to the collective dedication and compassion of our volunteers and community members. With hearts filled with passion and our sleeves rolled up, we worked hand in hand to construct a home for Jazenia. The League is immensely proud to be part of this incredible effort as we believe in the power of volunteer action, collaboration, and training to make a meaningful impact on our community, especially in these times of great need. 

As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we reflect on the countless lives we have touched through a century of service, leadership, and community impact. The Junior League of Columbia stands strong as an organization of women devoted to advancing leadership opportunities, fostering volunteer action, and creating lasting change in the Midlands. 

Our mission is unwavering: to advance women’s leadership and effect meaningful community change through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The dedication and hard work of our members allow us to play an essential role in addressing critical issues affecting our community, with a particular focus on strengthening the health and well-being of children and families in the Midlands. 

Our vision is one of hope and progress, where our children and families flourish in an environment of stability, support, and opportunity. Through our enduring partnership with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, we take significant strides towards achieving this vision by ensuring that secure and comfortable homes are accessible to those who need them. 

As we look ahead, this year marks a pivotal moment in our history. The League continues to pave the way for a brighter future, impacting generations to come through our unwavering commitment to community service and leadership. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers, donors, and community partners who make our endeavors possible. Together, we strive to create a legacy of lasting leadership and positive change, driven by compassion and unity. 

For each Done in a Day (DIAD) project, the JLC collaborates with local organizations or social service agencies through hands-on volunteer work. The DIAD projects provide positive, day-long volunteer opportunities for our members to give back to the Midlands while increasing awareness of the needs in our community.

The JLC partners with local nonprofits to provide support and volunteers for projects that are done in a day. The League also attempts to assess community needs through these one-day projects. The League also learns more about the nonprofit and social service organizations that could benefit from more significant assistance in the forms of grants, training, or community partnerships.

Done in a Day Project Application

Done in a Day Project Applications are due Wednesday, January 15 so make sure to get the word out and submit your application as soon as possible! If you have any questions, email DIAD@JLColumbia.org.

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In November, the Richland County CASA joined forces with the Junior League of Columbia at Segra Park to provide a family fun day for foster care children in our community. All proceeds from the event went directly to the Richland County CASA Foundation in its efforts to recruit, train, and support community volunteers serving in the role as Guardian ad Litem for abused children. The funds raised from the Superhero 5k will help RCCASA provide the unmet needs of almost 2,000 children in Richland County. JLC volunteers got a chance to cheer on runners during the race as well as assist in the children’s 100m dash and costume contest.

     

In December, JLC partnered with the Columbia Housing Authority to host Milk and Cookies with Santa. More than 100 children and families attended the event where they got to make an ornament, take pictures with Santa, and JLC gave each child a gift card to the movies or a set of legos.

Ideal Projects:
· Just need “hands for a day”
· Are 4-6 hours long
· Require a minimum of 2 volunteers
· Have almost everything needed, except a couple of items

Past Projects:
· Superhero 5K Family Day
· Breakfast for Champions: Cooking Class for Children with Type I Diabetes
· “Lavatory Love:” Painting of Inspirational Quotes on Bathrooms at Watkins-Nance Elementary
· SC Youth Advocacy Program: Wrapping Up Happiness
· Revamp of Heath Center Lobby at Epworth Children’s Home

The DIAD committee will review all requests and arrange volunteer commitments with nonprofit organizations where we feel we can be best of service. Projects impacting women and children in the greater Midlands community surrounding Columbia, SC, will be given preference.

Deadlines:

• If your project will occur between September 15, 2019 and January 31, 2020, the deadline to submit your application is August 15, 2019.
• If your project will occur between February 15, 2020, and May 31, 2020, the deadline to submit your application is January 15, 2020.

If you are interested in becoming a Done in a Day partner, please fill out the DIAD 2019-2020 application.

SCYAP Development Liaison Gail Cole said that while her organization has been partnering with the JLC for many years, this year, their focus has been on the element of fun and play. Says Cole, “In the years past, we have been focused on the health and well -being of our children, but we’ve realized that play is an important part of health and self-esteem.” One special feature was the placement of games like Jenga, Connect Four, Uno and Go Fish on the lunch tables to help foster the atmosphere of playing together as a family. Other games such as four square, corn hole and bubble stations were also set up.

Cole goes on to say, “I would like to thank the Columbia Junior League for making the Fostering Fun event possible. What a special time to get our foster parents and foster children together and remind them how much fun it can be to engage in playing simple games as a family unit. The Junior League also had Kevin Lawrence, from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, speak to our group. What an engaging and inspiring young man! He took the time to meet with our foster children on an individual basis to talk with them about overcoming obstacles and setting goals for their future. It was a great opportunity to reinforce the message that they can overcome their challenges and with hard work they can do anything they want to do. That is such an important message and we need to repeat that to our foster children on a regular basis.”

About SCYAP: The South Carolina Youth Advocate Program (commonly known as SCYAP) is a private, non-profit organization that supports and facilitates the development and operation of community-based residential and non-residential services for youth and their families. SCYAP believes that children do best when they are with their families and that they should be served in their own homes or in a family setting when out-of-home placement is necessary.

Contributed by: Sallie Harrell

Fatherhood participants and their daughters attended the dance with the goal of promoting fathers’ engagement with their daughters and reinforcing the importance of the strong and healthy relationship between them. The Midlands Fatherhood Coalition believes this project will provide low-income noncustodial fathers with an opportunity to spend time with their daughters in a fun, safe environment. They were thrilled for the daughters to have a night to feel special and spend time with their fathers. This was an exciting evening for this non-profit that is committed to promoting strong families!

About the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition: The Midlands Fatherhood Coalition is an organization that seeks to engage fathers in the positive support of their children, and to enhance community support for fatherhood throughout the Midlands. It addresses a critical community need by focusing on strengthening noncustodial parents so that they can contribute to the economy and strengthen their families.

Submitted by Sallie Harrell