As we begin the 2019-20 league year as your Co-Presidents, we reflected on why we volunteer our time and resources with the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield. We thought of friendships we have formed, being a positive role model, gaining skills, fulfillment. But the reasons that resonated far and above any others are the women, teens and children that we help in our county.The level of need of those in Union County is astonishing. It is very easy to go through our day to day activities without the awareness that just minutes away there are women escaping abuse, families lining up outside St Joseph Service Center for groceries, and children hoping to be healthy, or to receive at least one holiday gift. Here is a glimpse into just a few of the lives touched by the Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield this year:
Julissa is a woman who came to Career Closet several years ago as she transitioned from receiving social services and into the Urban League of Union County’s work development program. After several years volunteering and working with Urban League, Julissa again visited Career Closet in 2019, only this time as an Urban League case manager, accompanying a group of women. She expressed her gratitude and how much she looked forward to her career closet visits in the past.
JLEP was able to help furnish a Garwood apartment provided by Roots and Wings for a young man who recently aged out of foster care. A letter from Roots and Wings expressed that this young man appreciates living in the comfortable home we created and noted that attractive, calm surroundings can benefit a person’s mindset. By altering the physical space of the apartment, the JLEP was also able to impact his sense of well-being.
The League was thrilled to host week 8 of 10 of the Heeling for Hope mentoring program facilitated by the Family Support Organization of Union County. The program focuses on the development of self-confidence and self-care and JLEP provided breakfast, clothing, new heels and dressing tips to the teen girls. We want to share a bit of their note of thanks: “the JLEP has supported five Heeling with Hope cohorts, and we are therefore able to provide female mentees with the intangible gift of self-improvement and empowerment. Enclosed please find a picture taken that day – the smiles of confidence say more than words. We value all of our community partners, but sometimes, a group goes above and beyond our expectations, and we wish to acknowledge the effort.
Naomi Benson and Ashleigh Nudo
Co-Presidents 2019-2020
Julissa is a woman who came to Career Closet several years ago as she transitioned from receiving social services and into the Urban League of Union County’s work development program. After several years volunteering and working with Urban League, Julissa again visited Career Closet in 2019, only this time as an Urban League case manager, accompanying a group of women. She expressed her gratitude and how much she looked forward to her career closet visits in the past.
JLEP was able to help furnish a Garwood apartment provided by Roots and Wings for a young man who recently aged out of foster care. A letter from Roots and Wings expressed that this young man appreciates living in the comfortable home we created and noted that attractive, calm surroundings can benefit a person’s mindset. By altering the physical space of the apartment, the JLEP was also able to impact his sense of well-being.
The League was thrilled to host week 8 of 10 of the Heeling for Hope mentoring program facilitated by the Family Support Organization of Union County. The program focuses on the development of self-confidence and self-care and JLEP provided breakfast, clothing, new heels and dressing tips to the teen girls. We want to share a bit of their note of thanks: “the JLEP has supported five Heeling with Hope cohorts, and we are therefore able to provide female mentees with the intangible gift of self-improvement and empowerment. Enclosed please find a picture taken that day – the smiles of confidence say more than words. We value all of our community partners, but sometimes, a group goes above and beyond our expectations, and we wish to acknowledge the effort.
Naomi Benson and Ashleigh Nudo
Co-Presidents 2019-2020