2010s to Present

History of the 2010s to Present

2010-2011

  • Junior League members continue our ROCKETS program with the YWCA and a new partnership with the Stepping Stones Learning Institute in Trenton. We were excited to learn that the Junior League of Phoenix has picked up the ROCKETS program to share with their community. The Provisional Class executed the first Building Healthy Kids health and wellness fair in downtown Princeton.
  • The League celebrates 90 years of providing service to the Greater Princeton community.

2011-2012

  • Through the end of the 2012 League year, we continued our ROCKETS program with its various components: classroom and Funwork, Mad Science, story time, fieldtrips, Done in a Day, Kids in the Kitchen, Teacher Launch Seminar and RISE Holiday Party.  Additional community programs included participation in the FSA Holiday Shop, Children’s Futures Toy and Book drive, decorating the pediatric wing of Capital Health in Hopewell, donating diapers and wipes for the RISE pantry, packing lunch bags for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and partner preschools.  JLGP volunteers dedicated almost 40 hours painting and redecorating the seven-room FSA Teen Center in Bucks County as well as restocked their food pantry.
  • Designer Showhouse & Gardens XVII is held at Priory Court.

2012-2013

  • The Children’s Initiative, in its inaugural year, focused on the welfare and empowerment of children, including programs in the areas of education, health and science literacy.  We selected two local preschools to support in the coming years – Better Beginnings of Hightstown, NJ and the Cherry Tree Club of Princeton Junction, NJ.
  • The Women’s Initiative, in its inaugural year, focused on the challenges women, especially single mothers, face in the Greater Princeton area. The Junior League joined forces with Dress for Success Mercer County in a program to facilitate women’s employment readiness.  The League and Dress for Success Mercer County launched the area’s first Going Places Network by Walmart (GPN) job readiness program in March 2013. The nationally recognized, multi-week program provides unemployed and underemployed Dress for Success clients the professional skills needed to accelerate their job searches and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment.
  • This year’s ROCKETS Initiative partnered with the Hamilton Head Start program to provide literacy kits (books and arts and crafts supplies) to preschool children This year marked the fifth annual Teacher Launch Seminar (TLS), sponsored by the JLGP.
  • The JLGP Provisional Members held a science day for over 60 children ages three to five years old at Better Beginnings Child Development Center located in Hightstown, New Jersey.

2014

  • The JLGP was selected for the third time as an official partner of the Payless Gives Shoes for Kids Program, an annual giving program from Payless Shoe Source.
  • JLGP was recognized as a 2014 Shining Star honoree for its outstanding contributions to the Better Beginnings community at their annual gala sponsored by the mayors of Hightstown and East Windsor. The receipt of this award is the culmination of the League’s collective body of work over the years in these two towns.
  • The League held its first A Day at the Races fundraiser.

2015 – 2016

  • The Children’s Initiatives Committee continued to deliver events and activities through our Building Healthy Kids Program at our partner preschools.  We engaged guest speakers and provided volunteer opportunities that focused on various aspects of childhood wellness.  In addition, we continued to support other local non-profit organizations such as United Way, HomeFront, 217 Church and HomeFront.
  • The Women’s Initiatives Committee continued to focus on making an impact, one woman at a time.  We strengthened our relationship with existing partner, Dress for Success, and forged a new one with community favorite, HomeFront.  JLGP members supported Dress for Success’ Going Places Network Program by serving as mentors and facilitating program workshops.  We also volunteered at their inventory sales.  In addition, we successfully launched a Speaker Series program at HomeFront’s family preservation center.  Modules focused on issues pertaining to education, financial planning, mindfulness and self-esteem.  We also donated backpacks, food and toiletry kits to their families and sponsored a beautiful Mother’s Day event.  We are proud of our overall accomplishments and look forward to continued success next year!