FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Kathryn Tharney

The Junior League of Greater Princeton

Email: communications@jlgp.org

April 19, 2019

Junior League of Greater Princeton Announces Grant & Scholarship Winners

In April, the Junior League of Greater Princeton (JLGP) honored three local high school seniors who received Voluntarism Scholarships.  Annually, the JLGP awards three $1000 scholarships to female high school seniors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and voluntarism. This year’s recipients – Alesandra Temerte of Jamison, PA, Grace Schleck of Metuchen, NJ, and Larissa Jimenez of Belle Mead, NJ– were chosen from an applicant pool of very accomplished students. These young women used their life experiences to make a positive impact in their communities.  From working with a volunteer fire squad, to organizing a drive to send medicine to Venezuela, and finally, creating a program in which students use poetry as a vehicle for advocacy – these talented young women are impressive and motivated!

“As a women’s volunteer organization, we are so proud to have the opportunity to recognize young women who demonstrate a commitment to serving their community.  They are each outstanding students who are already making a real difference in the lives of others. It is truly inspirational.” says Mara Pugliese, Community VP for the JLGP.

The League also congratulated recipients of the organization’s Community Grants program, including Womenspace, Roxey Ballet, and Kidsbridge.  These three organizations received grants ranging from $1,500 – $2,000. Grants must be used to help support nonprofit organizations located in the Junior League’s service area.  Representatives of each organization received their grants April 18th.

According to Nancy Mellos, Chair of the Grants and Scholarships Program, “It was very impressive to see how much great work is being done by such dedicated individuals and organizations in our community.  The depth and breadth of applicants we received this year was staggering, making it difficult for our Committee to choose which organizations to fund.  It was just as challenging to determine which of the 11 deserving Scholarship applicants to choose.  We are extremely proud to support this year’s recipients of the JLGP Grants and Scholarships and we look forward to following their progress.”

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Womanspace is an organization based in Lawrenceville, NJ with the mission to prevent abuse, protect families and change lives through empowerment and by providing a safety net of supportive services. Through their Children’s Services Program, the organization provides therapeutic services to children who have witnessed domestic violence in their home.

Kidsbridge based in Ewing, NJ, educates and empowers children and youth through social-emotional learning, diversity appreciation lessons and bullying prevention skills training. The Grant Award will go towards “LEAD Like a Girl” – An Empowerment Program for Girls in Third-Fifth Grades at Gregory Elementary School in Trenton where at-risk girls will learn about mindfulness and self-regulation, conflict resolution, and finding their inner strength.

Roxey Ballet, based in Lambertville, NJ will use the Grant proceeds to help fund WE vs C:  Personal Stories of Triumph over Breast Cancer.  This public service campaign provides breast cancer survivors a healing arts workshop and free performance featuring other breast cancer survivors. The program uses dance, music, video, art and spoken word to educate and heal.

The Junior League of Greater Princeton is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Junior League of Greater Princeton focuses its efforts on the needs of women and children in Mercer and Bucks counties as well as the surrounding areas. Women over the age of 21, committed to voluntarism, regardless of race, religion or national origin are welcome as members. The Junior League of Greater Princeton is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, which includes 293 Junior Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. For more information please visit www.jlgp.org.