We Connect for Our Community – A Look Back Before We Move Ahead in the New Year!
As we continue to live our theme of “We Connect” this league year, we can take inspiration from our legacy. For nearly 90 years, the Junior League of Charlotte (JLC) has made a significant impact on the greater Charlotte community, providing more than one million volunteer hours and nearly $13 million in contributions. When reflecting on past decades, it is evident that while each period had its own challenges, the JLC remained steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the community. Many of the JLC’s major initiatives today have stood the test of time – children’s health, education and mental health, just to name a few.
In 1936, the JLC introduced the Thrift Shop in uptown Charlotte as a critical fundraising driver. The Thrift Shop, now the JLC WearHouse, offered the community an affordable place to shop as well as valuable training opportunities for JLC members. It serves as the League’s longest running fundraising source and provides the same benefits today as it did in the beginning.
In addition to creating the JLC’s long-standing top fundraiser, the JLC achieved many successful initiatives, including organizing the Children’s Theater Council and the Junior Museum at the Mint Museum. The JLC also developed one of the earliest cookbooks, another popular fundraiser over the years. The JLC also played an instrumental role in developing the Charlotte Nature Museum and including the formation for the Museum of one of the earliest co-ed boards in the Charlotte community. Additional JLC community accomplishments included strengthening healthcare for children and increasing awareness of teen pregnancy, alcoholism in women and school readiness. As the JLC’s role and investment increased in the community, so did its advocacy efforts. The JLC made incredible strides by sponsoring legislation for children. From developing daycare laws to supporting local family attractions to improving conditions in foster care, the JLC began to leave its mark for using its voice to help pass laws to positively affect the children of North Carolina. The JLC has continued its efforts to take public stands in a variety of areas.
In the last decade, the JLC concentrated on the Healthy Child Initiative, which included a partnership with Levine Children’s Hospital to fund the Junior League of Charlotte Family Resource Center. The JLC’s core initiative has evolved into the Healthy Family Initiative, centering on its efforts at Reid Park Academy. Over the years, members have learned not only how to react and respond to challenging times, but also how to come together and connect to support one another and the community we serve. To keep our #WeConnect dialogue going, we encourage you to join the conversation and share the meaningful ways you are connecting as you carry out your commitment to the JLC. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag the JLC with the #WeConnectWednesday hashtag.
Want to learn more about JLC History? Click here to read about how the JLC has been connecting for our community since 1924.
