Junior League of Greenville awards $40,000 in grants to local non-profits

This year, the Junior League of Greenville (JLG) awarded $40,399.28 to four non-profit agencies in the Greenville community in early January during a General Membership Meeting.

“Our mission is to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve the community through the effective action of trained volunteers,” said Courtney Atkinson, JLG President. “Our members are the heart of our organization and work tirelessly for the benefit of our community. Since our inception, we have looked to the needs of our community and worked to help meet those needs. Supporting local organizations is just one way we can continue to make an impact and we are excited to be able to give over $40,000 to support agencies that make a difference in the community and the lives of those they serve.”

Each year, the JLG provides volunteers and grants via its community grant process. Throughout its history, the JLG has contributed over $2.8 million in funding to local organizations and provided countless hours of volunteer service to the community. The following non-profit agencies received 2018 grant funding:

SWITCH – $10,950.24
SWITCH’s mission is to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Upstate of South Carolina through awareness, prevention, fighting demand, intervention and restoration. JLG funding will provide training and materials for 20 volunteers to teach “Love146’s Not a #Number” curriculum in schools, churches and other community organizations. “Not a #Number” is an interactive, five-module prevention curriculum designed to teach youth how to protect themselves from human trafficking and exploitation through information, critical thinking and skill development.

Diaper Bank of the Carolinas – $10,000
Diaper Bank of the Carolinas’ mission is to provide diapers for children in the community who would not otherwise receive them. JLG funding will support the “Community Baby Shower Series 2018,” a series of coordinated diaper distribution events held in various communities throughout Greenville County. Events will distribute diapers and other baby, infant and toddler-related items directly to families in need close to where those families live.

West Greenville School – $15,699.04
West Greenville School’s mission is to provide the variety of specialized educational opportunities necessary for students to acquire academic knowledge and to develop the social and emotional skills necessary for productive citizenship. JLG funding is for Project Discovery curriculum kits to support improved student outcomes by providing a research-based, hands-on career education curriculum. Project Discovery includes instructional binders and lessons aligned to state and common core standards, and assessments and work performance benchmarks to measure and track data to manage transition and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) compliance.

Carolina Ballet Theatre – $3,750
Carolina Ballet Theatre’s mission is to engage, entertain, and educate its audience through the dynamic medium of dance. JLG funding is to implement an after-school program for Title 1 schools that will provide apparel, shoes and transportation to the studio for six months. Instruction will include sessions on classical ballet, healthy eating and other health-related topics. The program will culminate with the students’ participation in a performance with Carolina Ballet Theatre.
 

About Junior League of Greenville

The Junior League of Greenville is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Greenville initiates and participates in programs and partnerships that enhance the physical, emotional and educational well-being of children and families. For more information about the Junior League of Greenville, please visit www.jlgreenville.org.