JLCC Blog Archives - The Junior League of Collin County

‘Neath the Wreath Feature: Christmas in July

Susanna McReynolds — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 21:56:51 +0000

For the majority of our membership, summer consists of catching up with book club, marching in the Fourth of July parade, and easing into the duties and responsibilities of newly assigned volunteer placements. For a certain few, summer can only mean one thing: Christmas!

2018 NTW Committee

Around 60 Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) women spend summer fully immersed in holiday spirit as they plan for our annual holiday market, ‘Neath the Wreath (NTW). This magical four-day event transforms the Plano Event Center into a winter wonderland, bringing in over 125 merchants and 13,000 shoppers each year. It is a can’t miss holiday tradition, a perfect one-stop-shop to find unique gifts for everyone on your list. Something this spectacular requires an incredible amount of advance preparation! I caught up with a few of our ‘Neath the Wreath committee members to see just how they are working on Christmas in July.

From this year’s NTW chair, Katie Harris, “The steering committee gets placed in February and starts planning immediately. Our full committee comes in June 1^st and gets thrown into the deep end of planning. They kind of have to skip the ‘get to know you’ phase of getting acclimated to the placement.” Between negotiating sponsorships, screening merchant applications, preparing for ticket sales, planning event logistics, and creating the decoration scheme (among so much more), an early start and eager volunteers are imperative to the success of the event.

The committee’s first opportunity to spread holiday spirit is at JLCC’s general membership meeting in August when this year’s market theme will be announced. Expect to see news of the announcement on the NTW social media accounts in late August through September, leading to the opening of ticket sales in October. As in previous years, the chosen theme sets the tone for the market. According to Katie, shoppers can always “expect a variety of merchants and a great time. For any other details, shoppers will just have to wait to experience the market.” The theme, decorations, and atmosphere truly create a unique market experience each year.

2018 NTW Market

Committee member Jacqueline Davis says, “My favorite part of NTW is seeing everything come together. Seeing people walking around with family and friends, shopping their favorite merchants, and enjoying their time makes all the hard work and time the committee puts in worth it.” JLCC is proud of the women who make up the ‘Neath the Wreath committee and selflessly give a portion of their summers to plan this wonderful market. NTW is not only a shopping experience but also raises funds for JLCC to continue in our mission of promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

For up-to-date information, ticket launch date reminders, behind the scenes fun, and maybe even a giveaway or two, follow along with everything ‘Neath the Wreath on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the NTW email list. And be sure to mark your calendars for November 7-10^th, 2019 to see the results of this committee’s hard work!

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PROVISIONAL PROJECT: MITIGATING CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN COLLIN COUNTY

Susanna McReynolds — Sun, 05 May 2019 16:46:28 +0000

Each year the Junior League of Collin County’s (JLCC) provisional classes participate in a variety of community projects as part of their membership requirements. A provisional is considered a woman is who going through our provisional training program to prepare them for active membership within JLCC. In the past our provisional classes have worked with numerous agencies in Collin County including Journey of Hope, Hugs Café, Plano Families First, and more. Tamika Brunetti is a current provisional and has written about her experience during her Provisional Project with Frisco Fastpacs. Her story is below…

Most people I meet have a couple of commonalities. One of the big ones is that they consider volunteerism as a core belief. This is a commonality that is much bigger than us. Growing up, I did what my family did, volunteer. This took on many forms, from my dad volunteering to coach our sports teams from first grade through seventh grade, to my mom shuttling kids across town and making sure we were fed. My parents volunteered their time and family resources so we could further develop our social, decision-making, and leadership skills, as well as become servant leaders. I never gave my parents actions a second thought; I figured all parents did what mine did. It was a natural expectation that at least one of my parents would be at everything my brother and I would participate in, regardless of the location, and we would not go hungry.

I never really thought about whether my friends, classmates, and teammates had access to food outside of our time together in school or extracurricular activities.

That was my reality until I got older and started volunteering my time in different areas. I had not experienced this reality in Collin County until I was introduced to Frisco Fastpacs. When people think of Collin County, they automatically assume affluence, wealth, privilege, and opportunity. I’ll admit, when I first moved to the Dallas area, that was my assumption. But I now know that is not true. I have learned that there are 1,000+ plus children in Frisco ISD schools alone that are going hungry. Oftentimes, breakfast and lunches provided during the school day are the only meals these children receive. Keep in mind, school only takes place Monday through Friday, during the school year. This does not account for the time schools are closed for holidays or teacher in-service days.

So, what are the children who rely on their schools to feed them, eating Friday night through Sunday night? Your guess is as good as mine.

Frisco Fastpacs stepped up in 2013 to help by serving 32 children in one school. To date, Frisco Fastpacs supports 63 Frisco ISD schools and they are feeding 1,000+ children every week during the school year. With community and corporate support, Frisco Fastpacks delivers individual pre-packed bags that include enough food for each qualifying child to eat over the weekend at home.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity through JLCC to serve as a volunteer and help pack bags of food at Frisco Fastpacs’ warehouse. Our group of 20 like-minded women from various corners of Collin County and very diverse backgrounds volunteered to help eradicate hunger for at least one weekend for those 1,000+ children in Frisco ISD that would otherwise go hungry. During our two-hour volunteer shift we were able to pack 900+bags of food. We worked in an assembly line and did not skip a beat! The bags contained ramen noodles, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit and snacks. Each week, the contents of the bags change, as they are dependent upon donations from corporate food drives, super-markets clearing space for new inventory, and financial contributions to purchase foods to fill the gap.

I challenge anyone who reads this to coordinate a food drive in your home, neighborhood, school, job, gym, soccer game or wherever groups of people gather. No food drive is too small. If you have free time, sign-up to pack bags of food or deliver the bags of food to the schools. Make it a competition, have fun, but most importantly, spread the word.

Hunger knows no gender, no age, no nationality and certainly no circumstance.

Are you interested in joining us in making an impact in Collin County? Join us for our upcoming Prospective Member Information Session on Tuesday, May 14th. In the meantime, check out our membership information and additional upcoming Prospective Member Information Sessions!

-Tamika Brunetti, Provisional Member, 2018-19 Provisional Class

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Women Helping Women

Susanna McReynolds — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 13:00:58 +0000

Did you know…

Did you know feminine hygiene products are one of the most requested items in shelters across Collin County? Did you know most schools do not keep a supply of products on hand for students in need? If a school has a dispenser for products in the ladies room, the odds are it will be empty or non-functional. And, did you know in Texas, feminine hygiene products are classified as a luxury item; therefore, taxed as luxury goods and cannot be purchased with food stamps or any other form of federal or state assistance?

Think about that for a moment.

Can you imagine not being able to afford something most of us consider vital to our personal well-being? I can’t, and no one should have to. No one should have to decide whether to buy crackers for their child’s lunch or a box of tampons. And consider the young girls. Can you imagine being a 13-year-old at school without the supplies you need? What do you think may happen? Research shows she stays home from school. That is just not acceptable.

We have collected over 30,000 tampons and pads so far, and our goal is 50,000 by the end of the year. We are currently distributing these products to partner agencies throughout Collin County.

How can you help?

Learn more about the issue of period poverty. You can start with the helpful links below:

Consider purchasing feminine hygiene products to donate to your local food pantries, places of worship, schools or social service agencies. It’s easy to pick up a package each time you’re at the store.
Ask your school, place of worship and local establishments to consider keeping free products available in women’s restrooms.
Contact your State Senators and Representatives to let them know your concerns, and show support for removing the luxury tax on these vital necessities. You can find the contact information for your State Senators and Representatives here.

Help us by taking a stand in support of women and girls in our community.

If you are interested in helping with the distribution of these products, please email civp@jlcollincounty.org for more details.

-Written by Donna Ivy, Active Member, 2018-19 Community Impact VP

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The Personal Placement

Susanna McReynolds — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 15:32:13 +0000

“What’s your placement?” is a common question in Junior League. It’s like our version of asking a friend, “What are you doing this weekend?” Instead of just one weekend, though, a placement lasts through the entire League year. Each JLCC member has a placement story, and it usually involves personal goals and having fun while getting stuff done.

Each member serves on a committee and our Placement Advisors help us determine the positions our members will hold in Junior League. Members are encouraged to apply for leadership positions and for general placements. Based on what you want to do, you can apply to lead one of our committees or to be a committee member. While Nominating reviews leadership applications, the Placement Council interviews members, solicits feedback and makes decisions based on the needs of the League.

One of the best things about JLCC is the wide variety of options and the ability for each member to be a part of the process in selecting a placement that meets her personal goals.

All members select six options, two each in Administration, Community Impact and Fund Development. Some placements involve a lot of in-person meetings and working in the community, while others enable you to work more independently. For example, my placement as the JLCC Blogger involves me writing various blog posts, which I normally do at home after my son goes to bed. I attend monthly Website Committee meetings and I trade emails with my Committee Chair during the month. With a young son under two years old and a new job, I was looking for a placement that offered flexibility from an in-person time commitment, because that’s where my life was. Perhaps you are in a different phase of life. The beauty of placement is that you can apply for positions that work for your lifestyle and personal goals.

Another aspect of your placement is the actual work you do. Maybe you’re looking to develop a certain skill and you want your placement to be where you can develop that skill set. Trust me, JLCC needs all kinds of skill sets, from event planning, fundraising, training & development, accounting to graphic design. It doesn’t matter if you’re analytical or creative – there’s definitely a placement for you in JLCC.

And don’t worry – we don’t leave you to figure out all of placement details on your own.

JLCC provides quite a few resources to help you figure out what placement is best for you. The Placement Book, located online, has descriptions for EVERY placement! Spring Meetings with your Placement Advisor are a great opportunity to discuss your interests and what placements match them. At the March General Membership Meeting there is a Placement Fair where each of the committees has a booth and you can chat with current members to learn more about their committee. Other JLCC members are also a great resource and they’re ready and willing to talk about their experience and insights in the placement process.

For Current Members

Speaking of Nominating, for current active members it’s almost time to apply for 2019-2020 the General Leadership Round. If you’re interested in applying for leadership, applications are now open! You can nominate anyone for a leadership position until March 9^th and applications will remain open until March 16^th. Please check the member homepage and e-Blast for additional information.

If you are an active member and applying for leadership, you will be able to visit with your Placement Advisor about your interests beginning in March. For provisional members, you will also have a Spring Meeting with a Placement Advisor. You are also welcome to invite your Membership Development Advisor to attend your meeting.

Key dates to remember: the Placement Book will be on the website on Friday, March 22^nd so you can begin to do some research. The Placement Fair is on Monday, March 25^th and Spring Meetings begin March 26^th. Placement Advisors will send you a link to sign up for a timeslot to discuss your options and help you select your choices online. The most exciting of all? You’ll receive your 2019 – 2020 placement the middle of April!

Placements are a great way to further develop your skills, meet new people and positively impact the community. JLCC empowers you to find the right fit that works for you.

Interested in joining JLCC? Click here to learn more.

-Written by Athena Thomas, First Year Active

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Project Spotlight: Juvenile Mentoring Program (JuMP)

Susanna McReynolds — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:00:44 +0000

In 2013, The Junior League of Collin County entered into a partnership with the Juvenile Probation Department of Collin County to serve as mentors for children between the ages of 12-15 years old who are on probation for non-violent, misdemeanor offenses. Each year, JLCC dedicates a team of trained volunteers focused on instructing the young people adjudicated to the mentorship program. They offer a unique, concentrated curriculum on teen-focused topics such as:

Boundary setting
Establishing healthy relationships
Life skills training
Managing negative emotions
Positive decision making
Self-esteem building
Social Media/Media awareness

The community impact of this project is 30-60 youth annually in Collin County.

The goal of the JuMP project is to equip these young people with the mechanisms they need to make good choices and reduce the likelihood for re-offending. The positive interactions with League volunteers help them develop trust, interpersonal skills, and tools for life. Not only does participation in the program give a sense of accomplishment, but it also builds on the foundation they have to increase and improve upon their self-esteem and communication skills.

“The JuMP program has achieved extraordinary results for the probation department in just a few years. Many of these young people simply made one poor choice; to show them a different trajectory in life, and that there are people who care about their future, has had an astounding impact on participants.” – Shannon Kmak, President 2018-2019

The JLCC received international commendation in 2016 for the JuMP program at the 94th Annual Conference of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI). JLCC was the recipient of the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Community Impact Award for our work on JuMP. To date, JuMP graduates have all successfully completed probation and have a 93% non-recidivism rate.

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Member Spotlight: Leaving a Legacy

Patrick Nixon — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 12:00:53 +0000

When we began researching an article for our annual publications Legends & Legacies this summer we began to realize that our organization has now been around long enough that we have members that grew up watching their mother’s involvement in the Junior League. Angie Adams Sifferman is a Junior League of Collin County Past President, her mother Sue Adams is now a Sustaining Member, and Angie’s daughters Avery and Sloane may be future members.

This is Angie’s story…

My mother never pushed me to join the Junior League. Despite all of her years of League work and sustaining membership, she respected that I needed to choose for myself. In fact, she was so reserved about it, I believe she was surprised when I joined. After working as a consultant for a few years in corporate America, I felt that I was missing something. I had opportunities to do meaningful volunteer work through work, but it wasn’t quite filling the gap. Looking back, joining the League was an easy choice.

I considered briefly whether there was a particular cause or agency that tugged at me more than another, and quickly realized that it was more than simply volunteering that I was seeking. Junior League gave me the chance to go broad and deep at the same time. I could build broad knowledge about our community while spending focused time one placement at a time going deeper building particular skills and knowledge. I had grown up with the women and work of the League all around me, and I believe that that my exposure to the League impacted my views of voluntarism and community involvement without me even noticing.

I was pregnant during my first year in Junior League (also called the Provisional Year) and can track my League experience through my childrens’ birthdays. Avery was with me as a baby during Trinkets to Treasures and ‘Neath the Wreath. Sloane was in preschool when she helped me with the ribbon cutting at Children’s Medical Center Plano. The girls have walked in the Plano 4^th of July parade more times than they can count, helped me select meeting icebreakers, collated papers for Collin County Council on Family Violence conferences, kid-tested reading activities for the children at My Friend’s House, volunteered at Kids in the Kitchen, and prepared Board of Directors retreat materials. And they don’t even complain much about all of the frozen meals that got them through some of my busier years of League placements

Just like my own experience of the League shaping my life without me realizing, I see the same thing happening with my daughters. I hope and believe they are learning that service to our community and others is at the core of who we are. One of my favorite quotes is “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” I’ve seen this quote attributed to both Shirley Chisholm and Marian Wright Edelman both who light the way for the rest of us. My daughter Avery said something similar recently in her own teenage words…they used to just come with me simply because I dragged them along, and somewhere along the way it became an important part of their life. So often, I hear Sloane make references to the work we have done through Junior League. When she hears about people working to make a positive difference in others’ lives, more than once I have heard her declare, “Mom, that’s like what you do in Junior League.”

Joining the Junior League of Collin County is one of the most important decisions I have ever made. This decision forever changed my family’s relationship with our community. I thank my mother for introducing me to League membership by taking my hand and bringing me with her for the daily work. And I look forward to seeing what seeds have been planted in the hearts of my daughters. Thank you JLCC!

-Angie Adams Sifferman, Past President and current Sustaining Advisor to the Board 2018-19

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Tips for the Holidays from JLCC Members

Susanna McReynolds — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 15:00:22 +0000

It’s already November, can you believe that? The year is almost over and now everyone is gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year – the holiday season. In case you’re not already busy enough, life is about move even faster. From trying to finish projects at work before everyone takes vacation, dealing with relatives that may or may not be a little crazy, to finding just the right gifts for your family and friends.

The holiday season is a lot of fun, but it can also be very hectic. To help you navigate this busy season, we gathered a list of tips and asked our Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) members to share some tips to surviving the holidays.

Plan Ahead (At Least a Little)

A little planning goes a long way. If you’re not a planner don’t tune out this suggestion. Making a plan can be easily done and prevent a lot of stress in the future.

Make a list of who you’re buying gifts for and what you’re considering buying
Order early enough to get free shipping. Keep in mind though, online retailers are very busy during this time and a 2 day turnaround time might slip to a 3 or 4 day delivery time.

“Plan now!!!” – Ingrid B.

“Make your ‘buy for’ list now. Carry it with you and keep your mind open while shopping. I’ve already bought eight gifts.” – Cristie J.

Do Something Special for Yourself

You know that list of people you’re buying gifts for we mentioned earlier? Make sure YOU are on that list. We could all use a little down time and a chance to relax. Meet a friend for coffee. Go for a jog on your favorite trail. Sleep in. Buy those shoes you’ve been wanting. Do something for yourself to remind yourself that you’re special, you’re worthy and that it’s OK to not be perfect.

“Schedule now at least two outings/dinners with your closest circle friends. Make that commitment to stay connected with those that support you every day so you don’t fall silent for the next two months.” – Cristie J.

Manage the Tough Stuff

The holidays are also a time when many people experience sadness and depression. For some it’s missing a loved one during this special season. Others might be anxious over paying bills or it could also be the pressure to be perfect and get everything done flawlessly. Know that you’re not the only who feels this way. Remember that very few people have the picture perfect lives that are shown on holiday TV shows. If you’re feeling down, call a trusted friend for a chat or seek help from a professional counselor.

“Don’t forget to check on your friends, even the ones who seem to have everything together. All of us can use a kind word or a simple thinking-of-you.” – Tammy L.

Cooking and Hosting

Whether you’re a master chef or someone who rarely cooks, there are many recipes for any skill level online. Pinterest or a simple google search are great resources.

Leverage online grocery shopping to avoid long lines in the grocery store. Many grocery stores offer the option to order your groceries online and pick them up at the store. In most circumstances you’re in and out in less than 10 minutes. Checkout Kroger, Walmart, Target for their various services.
Cater from your favorite restaurant. More and more restaurants offer holiday meals that can be ordered ahead of time. There’s no shame in that game. Plus you can order a whole meal or just a few sides.

“Keep extra candy, chocolate and wine around for unexpected company…Oh, and stick to the budget!” – Kitty J.

Give Back to Your Community

Here at JLCC we’re all about serving our community and chances are you feel strongly about this too. Consider volunteering with a local charity as a fun activity for your family, friends or coworkers. The good thing is that you don’t have to commit to a long period of time. Many charities have volunteer shifts that last 1-2 hours.

Trinkets to Treasures Drop Off: Donate gently used clothes and house goods on December 1st from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information can be found on our website or by emailing trinkets@jlcollincounty.org.

Women’s shelters can use gently used clothes and shoes, as well as gifts for kids in the shelter.
Get creative: You could donate to your alumni association, religious organization, or buy lunch for the person behind you in line.

“While you’re shopping for everyone else, don’t forget to give back! Grab a child to sponsor from an Angel Tree, grab a toy or two for Toys for Tots, grab extra canned food for the food pantry. Look for ways to help those who are not as fortunate as you so they can have an enjoyable holiday season too!” – Amy J.

“What’s worked for us is buying on CyberMonday, and giving on Giving Tuesday to local nonprofits. Supporting small businesses, and emptying closets and pantry for donation drop-offs all during the first week of December.” – Kitty J.

Prioritize and Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

You might feel like you’re being pulled in multiple directions during the holiday season. If you’re asked to do something and your first thought is, “How on Earth will I get all this done?” That might be a sign that the best answer is “no”. Pause and revisit your priorities; that can help guide you when life gets overwhelming.

“When you get busy, make a list and prioritize. I often say that if something is number 5 or further down the list, it can wait or not get done at all”. – Donna I.

Get Creative and Non-Traditional

Looking for something unique to do this year? Checkout this list for taking a different approach to the holiday season

Go to a cultural event you wouldn’t normally go to. Perhaps you could attend a Kwanzaa celebration, a Chanukah service, or a band you wouldn’t normally see. There are a lot of events going on this time of year and many of them are free or low cost. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Serve non-traditional food for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. You want to know what my family had for Christmas dinner last year? Mexican food. Yup, that’s right. We skipped the traditional fixings and enjoyed our favorite Tex Mex/Mexican food. It was different, delicious and a nice way to mix things up.
Show gratitude to your partner or a good friend in a way that would make them laugh. That could be putting Post It notes on a mirror that spell out “I love you”, or making a gift basket out of their favorite candy and snacks. Do a chore that they normally do, or simply tell the how amazing you think they are.

“I’m more of a homemade gift giver so I do things throughout the year. My fave go-to holiday gifts are homemade treat baskets which often surprise people.” – Emily M.

The holiday season can be fun, stressful and hectic all at the same time. Use these tips to manage your stress, try something new and enjoy the holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Written by Athena Thomas, First Year Active, with input from current JLCC members.

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Getting Out of My Box

Patrick Nixon — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 01:00:23 +0000

We are heading into fall and all conversations lead to the big question of, “What are you doing next year?” Slow your roll! This Junior League year just started and we are already thinking of next year?! You better believe it! The Nominating Committee works hard at ensuring that our leadership is comprised of the best women for the job. These ladies spend numerous hours visiting committees, council meetings, and holding interviews in order to get to know us and to select the best candidate for each leadership position.

It is time to think of your future in League and think outside of your box. Craziness!

If someone had told me back in 2012 that I would be the Communications Vice President in 2018 I would have told them that they were crazy, crazy, crazy! Why you might ask? I joined the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) to make friends outside of my retail management career. My single goal was to get involved with something that would give me joy and a circle of friends to do life with.

Fast forward to February 2016 when I was the Membership Development Chair – guiding our new members through their first year of training. I was living the membership life – I was on that track and that was where I wanted to be!

I received a call encouraging me to apply for a few positions and one was the Publications Chair. Imagine my reaction: it was shock, confusion, and feeling flattered all at once! Publications was not even on my radar much less in my wheelhouse of skills in my mind! Being responsible for layout and content design for our internal directory and handbook? Owning the creative, the graphic design, content, and deadlines for Legends & Legacies, the JLCC magazine? Totally NOT my wheelhouse at all! I did what anyone in that situation would do – I started with a pro/con list. After that, I sat down to really look at what the role was about and talked to ladies that I had worked with previously. I even asked some of them “Why me?” and was told that they saw a skill set that they believed would translate extremely well to being the Publications Chair.

Taking the plunge into something new.

I took the plunge, filled out an application, and a short time later I got the call that I had been selected as the Publications Chair. Taking that one step placed me on a journey that I never dreamed was possible. I learned so many things that year and realized that my skill set in retail management was uniquely suited to the role.

One role leads to another.

That year serving as the Publications Chair led to me serving as the Communications VP for 2018-19. I have learned all about how to market events, how to develop a public relations plan, how to effectively tell our non-profit story, and manage a myriad of deadlines and content from a variety of people and sources. The training I have received and responsibilities that I have had over the past few years now translate to a set of professional skills that I never imagined I would gain from a volunteer organization.

You often hear about our work in the community, but JLCC members hold a variety of different roles; from producing our annual publication to creating and managing our yearly budget. Each role with League helps our members develop competencies that they can then take into their personal and professional lives.

I am grateful every day that I was open to a new experience and got out of my box! And you should think about getting out of your own box, too. Be open to something new. It is truly one of the best things I have done.

Interested in joining our organization and growing your skills? Visit here.

Written by Emily Moore, 6th Year Active, Communications VP 2018-19

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Top 5 Reasons to make JLCC your North Texas Giving Day Donation

Patrick Nixon — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 02:42:31 +0000

By now you’ve likely heard of North Texas Giving Day. Each year in September this day is a collaborative fundraiser for over 2,700 DFW-area charities. This year North Texas Giving Day is Thursday, September 20. Special events such as concerts, food trucks, and other activities help promote this special day and highlight the charities it benefits.

Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) proudly participates in North Texas Giving Day each year. Why donate to JLCC? We’re glad you asked. Here are 5 fabulous reasons to make JLCC your charity of choice on North Texas Giving Day.

We develop women. This is truly what sets JLCC apart from other nonprofits. We spend thousands of dollars each year on leadership training and professional development opportunities for women. We believe in the power of women throughout our community – from the workroom to the boardroom; professionally and personally; in the for-profit, nonprofit and civic arenas.
Making a lasting change. The League was the driving force behind the kinds of initiatives that make Collin County a better place to live. JLCC played a key role in the establishment and continued development of the Collin County Juvenile Detention Center; Volunteer Center of Collin County; Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County; Plano Community Garden; Hope’s Door New Beginnings; Serenity High; Sci-Tech Discovery Center; and the Collin County Council on Family Violence.
We’re not done. Each year the women of the JLCC research ways to tackle social issues across our community. We provide job readiness training to survivors of domestic violence. We offer life-skills training to young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. We mentor first-time juvenile offenders currently serving probation, and have seen a 93% non-recidivism rate!
51,818 volunteer hours. We don’t just support our charities with money, we also spend numerous hours volunteering with them and doing the work. JLCC’s nearly 1,000 members completed 51,818 volunteer hours last year.
It’s easy to donate. Just go to https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/jlcc and click “Donate Now”. Plus JLCC’s Executive Leadership Council and Board of Directors will personally match the first $2,000 in donations.

Every donation to JLCC supports the Collin County community. Simply visit https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/jlcc to give to JLCC. Thanks in advance for your support! #NTXGIVINGDAY

Interested in learning more about or becoming a JLCC member? Click here to learn more.

Written by Athena Thomas, 1^st year active

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