2019…It’s OUR Time!
Carla C. Smith
By Carla C. Smith, President, The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc.
Over the past six months, The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. (JLA) has been able to create, develop, implement and inspire new beginnings during our 102nd year. New beginnings were ignited not only in the women, children, and families that we serve but also within the JLA members serving the community each day.
We’ve developed new skills while learning ways to breakthrough legislative roadblocks and how we can support the women serving at the Georgia State Capital in their efforts. We’ve shared the love of reading across the city of Atlanta and provided children with books they can call their own to take home and share with their families.
JLA Members gave back to the Atlanta community in 2018 in a variety of ways!
We’ve served and showered veterans and service members as they prepare to be new mothers in spite of having to continue active duty service and face deployments away from their children. We’ve brought joy to a new family in need by completing a bedroom makeover, providing new furniture and enhancing their accommodations so it is safe for their children.
We’ve sponsored simulations at the Center for Civil and Human Rights with the International Human Trafficking Institute to provide a glimpse into the unfortunate world of Human Trafficking. We’ve also provided clothing, food, and resources to those less fortunate and living in shelters.
Through the Little Black Dress Initiative, JLA has raised more than $70,000 this year to support generational poverty initiatives and programs and we celebrated our members who are surviving and who have survived breast cancer. We’ve embraced new beginnings and there’s so much more work to do!
As we embark into 2019 and celebrate with family and friends, I invite you to take some time to pause and reflect on all that’s been accomplished by the work that you’re doing to build a better community. Every volunteer effort, big or small, makes an impact and creates a ripple effect. The Junior League of Atlanta members are trained civic leaders, making a consistent and dynamic difference across an ever-changing community for women and children. Take some time to think about your new beginning and what you will do in the days ahead to serve others.
