The Year in Review by President Julia Bianchi, 2001-02
The year 2001-02 was an incredible one for the Junior League of Miami. Our 76-year-old volunteer organization addressed numerous issues and accomplished many initiatives that we had established as goals at the beginning of the year.
The year will be forever marked by the horrific events of September 11 and the resulting war on terrorism. Coincidentally, on the morning of September 11, we were convening the first Junior League General Membership meeting of the year. I vividly recall conveying the frightening news about attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon to our members moments after calling the meeting to order. As a result of that infamous day, each one of us will never quite be the same.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as President of the Junior League. At the beginning of my term last May, I outlined a very ambitious plan of action for managing our organization that would successfully keep propelling us forward for another 75 years in this diverse and ever-changing community.
We had a vision of streamlining our business, improving accountability standards, questioning and assessing all aspects of our organization all with the goal of freeing up volunteers and funds so that we could place an even greater emphasis on addressing the needs of families at risk in our communities and making a difference in their lives.
This ambitious plan called for looking at every aspect of how the Junior League operates. We embraced the principles of continuous quality improvement, and constantly looked for ways to streamline so that we could allocate more money and more volunteers to our community for an even greater impact.
Of course not all of these ideas could be completely implemented during my tenure as President. I wish to thank my predecessor, past president Debbie Korge, for encouraging me to start planning many of these changes during my President Elect year. Change takes time and many of the ideas required policy and bylaw changes that were voted on by the membership and will take effect in 2002-03. Many of these ideas resulted from assessing feedback from members, analyzing other large Leagues and researching organizational policies they have implemented and then tailoring and adapting what we learned to our League.
The Board of Directors remained focused and energized and worked very hard to ensure that forward momentum would continue. Working together, we realized many tremendous accomplishments and truly made a difference in our community and in our organization, as you'll see from the list to the right.
There is so much desperate need in our world, and in our community. Many people and far too many children in our huge, multicultural city have challenging and often overwhelming needs. Abject poverty conditions exist amidst our shiny and bustling metropolis. It is the Junior League of Miami's mission to improve our community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In 2001-02 we made great strides in reaching out a helping hand. Hopefully, we gave many a vision within grasp of a better and brighter future.
Thank you to the corporations, foundations and individuals who support the work of the Junior League. And thank you, members of the Junior League, for volunteering the difference!
Read Julia's Messages from the past year.
25 Ways We Made A Difference Together
- Placed renewed emphasis on projects at meetings, in Journal and through email Project Spotlights
- Built Inn Transition South
- Implemented the Cash Grant program and gifted $40,000
- Allocated $35,000 and volunteers to eight projects
- Spearheaded new SPAC initiatives in Tallahassee and Miami-Dade
- Renovated and re-staffed the Encore Shop
- Hosted five fund raisers cumulatively generating $245,000
- Maintained the best Junior League website in the nation
- Implemented the new Development Council
- Analyzed and assessed our Strategic Plan
- Reduced the length of future provisional classes
- Hosted multiple membership outreach events resulting in 100 diverse new members
- Created a consistent look and conveyed a professional image in all our published materials
- Created and published the Membership Requirements Guide
- Placed renewed emphasis on member satisfaction
Published the Yearbook for distribution at September meeting
- Revamped Donor Acknowledgement system
- Implemented In-Kind Donor Acknowledgment system
- Eliminated the Executive Committee in future years
- Cut costs wherever possible
- Issued weekly Monday night all-member emails
- Built a new database for mailings
- Reduced Board of Directors' size
- Developed investment policies and funded our Endowment Fund
- Produced a new Junior League of Miami video
Annual Membership Awards • 2001-2002
Congratulations to these Junior League Members honored at our Annual Meeting for outstanding service to our organization and community this year.
- Rebecca Herdon Bush Award: Thomasina Turner-Diggs
- Volunteer of the Year: Natalie Brown
- Sustainer of the Year: Rosemary (Poodie) Floyd
Community Projects
Each year, the Junior League of Miami selects community projects for which members will devote volunteer hours and seed funding in the next Junior League year. Since the JLM's founding in 1926, more than $2.214 million has been awarded to programs throughout the community. This figure does not include the League's endowment, volunteer hours or financial support provided by individual members. The following projects were undertaken this past year.
All Aboard Tutoring/Mentoring Programs
The All Aboard Story Hour accomplished two main objectives. The committee attended and facilitated bi-weekly Story Hours at the Miami and Homestead Homeless Assistance Centers and built Story Hour kits. At each Story Hour, 20 to 30 children spent an hour reading with the volunteers and then participating in activities related to the themes of the stories. At the end of every Story Hour, the kids could choose one book of their very own to take with them to read. The kits used at the Story Hours also provide permanent material that can be enjoyed in the future. Chaired by Kristen Holmquist Monroe.
Done In A Day
This committee's mission is to respond to planned and impromptu requests from the community for trained volunteers to assist in facilitating community events which fall within the League's focus area. This year, the committee was involved in a number of successful events including a day of planting and refurbishment of Virrick Park as part of the United Way Kick-off event; the MS Walk in Coral Gables; and the Juvenile Diabetes Walk at MetroZoo. Additionally, the DIAD committee was responsible for the Nordstrom Tile event, which raised $10,000 for Inn Transition, which was a fun, child-friendly event for both members and the community at large. Chaired by Gail Scott.
Girls Advocacy Project
By working with young women at risk within the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Detention Center, League volunteers fill the gaps in the Juvenile Justice System's efforts with educational group talks on a variety of issues. Topics such as personal hygiene, reproductive health, job skills and parenting skills are addressed. This project provides support and hope while assisting these young women in staying on track and improving the decisions they make in their daily lives. Chaired by Thomasina Turner Diggs.
Inn Transition South
This year brought great celebrate as construction for this much-needed facility finally broke ground. The committee worked all year to determine budget and volunteer needs for the coming year when families take residence. Plans include life skills training for residents, developing a resource guide book, welcome baskets for new residents, information display in the community room, development of a informational brochure, and working with All Aboard Story Hour to provide educational daycare activities during training sessions. Chaired by Lynn Pannone.
Inn Transition North
This year the Inn Transition North committee made a conscious effort to reach out to the children. In addition to activities for and interaction with the mothers, several field trips were arranged for the children. Other highlights of the year include remodeling the community room, instituting regular reading hours where the children all clamor for the chance to read aloud, the year-round participation from other League members and the constant full-to-capacity status of the apartments. After 12 years, this program is still going strong and very much needed. Chaired by Susan Lerner.
Domestic Violence
This committee addressed the needs of employed women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Junior League volunteers worked to create and implement domestic violence education programs to raise domestic violence awareness in the workplace. Chaired by Domestic Violence. Chaired by Vivianne Wicker.
KAPOW
KAPOW is a project designed to show inner-city elementary school students the connection between school and the world of work and to allow them to experience the workplace first-hand during a work site visit. An ongoing project in its second year, Junior League KAPOW volunteers, partnering with the third grade teachers at Skyway Elementary, taught eight one-hour classroom sessions to a total of 124 third graders. Lessons focused on several concepts including the spectrum of jobs available, the importance of good work habits, and the role of teamwork in the workplace. In addition to the classroom lessons, the students participated in site visits where they have the opportunity to learn through hands-on activities. This year's site visit took place at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel. In addition to hosting this event, the hotel generously provided a wonderful lunch experience for the students and chaperones. Chaired by Heidi McInnis.
Project Reach
The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring organization has many children on their waiting list waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Sister. A project was developed for these children while they wait entitled Project Reach. Junior League volunteers organized and attended outings twice a month for these children, with the goal to enable the children to experience places and things they would not normally have the opportunity to enjoy. Of course, while on these outings, these children were also given the opportunity to interact with caring, attentive adults. Excursions included boating, sailing, ice skating, bowling, a Miami Heat basketball game, a Miami Hurricane football game, the Nutcracker ballet, Seaquarium, the circus and a Boys Choir performance. In addition to being great fun, these outings provided an opportunity to build lasting relationships. Several of the children participating found their match with a Big Brother or Sister because of these League-sponsored outings. The experiences were as memorable and rewarding for the League volunteers as for the participants. Chaired by Kim Brigham.
Fundraisers
The Junior League of Miami had a banner year with its fundraisers, with $245,000 raised to support community programs. The Golden Palm Gift Market set new record highs and three other brand new events were also big successes. The Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon in February honored three outstanding examples of voluntarism in our community with sell-out attendance aboard Royal Caribbean International's Grandeur of the Seas. The Nordstrom Tile painting event was also a sell out, and helped to provide funds for Inn Transition. And, a new family event, Chili Splash, was tasty fun to round out the year in April.
Making a Difference through Projects
Firsthand accounts from our Community Project volunteers in their own words...
The following event was described by a JLM Provisional who volunteered at the YWCA's Saturday Matinee program:
"When I arrived at the facility, I was surprised to see how many little kids were there just to watch a movie. The counselor saw that I was surprised and said, "Just wait until we serve lunch." She was right. At lunchtime the place was packed with kids of all ages lining up to get their free small sandwich and bag of chips. Some of the kids asked if they could have extras for their brothers and sisters back home. It was really obvious that for a lot of them, this was their best meal of the day. It was just amazing and sad to think that this is the highlight of their weekend. I wish we could help them even more."
This account was provided by a JLM volunteer who participated in an All Aboard Story Hour at the Homeless Center:
"First I couldn't belive how many children were crowded into the room. I was also surprised to see how much the children look forward to the story hour. The theme of the evening's event was fire trucks. We read them a story about fire trucks. We had a small art project about fire trucks and then gave each child a copy of the fire truck book. You would have thought we were handing each child a million dollars as they excitedly clutched their new books. It was an overwhelming experience to see such need in the faces of all those little kids who were starved for attention and educational stimulation. I know we did a good thing for these kids. I just wish we could do even more."
This account was provided by Kim Brigham the chair of JLM's Big Brothers Big Sisters project:
"We took the BBBS kids ice skating. There was one boy about 12 years old who was having difficulty skating. He was overweight and the other kids were ignoring him. One of our JLM members started talking to him and he mentioned how sad and alone he feels all the time due to very difficult and stressful circumstances in his home life. He mentioned to the JLM volunteer that his birthday was coming up. The volunteer asked what he was doing to celebrate. He seemed surprised because he said no one ever did anything for his birthday and he didn't think this year would be any different. Two JLM volunteers decided to help him feel better and went across the street to Publix and purchased cupcakes and candles. All the volunteers and other kids sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him the attention he so desperately craved. Many of the other kids then began talking to him and he began to smile and feel better. The BBBS counselor reported that this young boy smiled the entire way home. He said no one had ever done anything like that before for him in his entire life. He also wanted to know if he could come next week to a BBBS event. Such a small gesture made an enormous difference in the life of one child.
Community Grants
In addition to community projects for which the League supplies volunteers and funds, 2001-02 heralded for the first time a Community Grants program implemented by the League to supply additional financial support to community organizations whose programs share our focus on families at risk. The organizations listed here were awarded supporting funds from the Junior League of Miami for use during 2002-03.
Boys and Girls Club of Miami
JLM granted $5,000 to help equip a new computer lab at the Virrick Park facility in Coconut Grove with furniture, hardware and software to be used for children for their after-school homework assistance and academic improvement program.
Charlee Homes for Children/Gladstone Center for Girls
This program received $5,900 for the art program supplies and the Dolphin Talks Therapy program.
The Haitian Organization of Women, Inc.
JLM provided $5,000 to coordinate and implement a Breast and Cervical Cancer Advocacy and Outreach Program to low-income and underserved Haitian women in Homestead and Florida City.
The Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, Inc.
This program received $4,980 for the Youth Development System Project. This behavior modification program is designed to provide opportunities for homeless youth residing in emergency shelter care to enhance self-esteem, practice leadership skills, and acquire life skills training.
Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium
Originally a Junior League founded project in 1949, the League is now assisting the institution with $2,500 to provide fee admission to minority, at-risk, low income, and disabled children and families.
Mothers Voices
JLM granted $1,770 to support Mothers Voices program initiatives promoting enhanced sexual health communication between parents and children. The grant will be used for two two-day seminars and materials.
The South Miami Hospital Foundation
The Hanen Program for Parents and Children with Autism received $3,800 to support opportunities for children to receive early intervention treatment and therapy not available to them through other funding avenues. Parents will learn how to help their children communicate and use language during a 13-week program.
W.I.N.G.S for Life South Florida
JLM granted $4,100 to provide student parents with parenting sessions to enable them to enhance or build effective problem-solving skills with their children.
The YWCA Saturday Matinee
This project received $4,902 to fund the bimonthly matinee program serving children from Overtown and East Little Havana neighborhoods. The program provides a positive, enriching activity for children.
Looking Ahead by President Holly Battle, 2002-03
For 76 years, the Junior League of Miami has served the Miami Dade community by responding to its needs and challenges. As the Junior League looks forward to 2003 and beyond, we are focused on increasing our membership participation in the community. In order to accomplish this goal, we must develop Community Partners, build our Endowment Fund to help fund our programs and establish ongoing evaluation criteria to help make us more efficient fundraisers, volunteers and project managers.
In 2002-03, we will celebrate many things. For the first time in our organization's history, the Junior League of Miami will provide Community Grants without the use of volunteers to social service agencies addressing a specific need. We also continue our tradition of implementing projects with the use of our volunteers and funding.
In November, we will celebrate the 70th birthday of our Encore Shop, which has raised more than $1.4 million dollars for our League and community. In the fall, we anticipate opening Inn Transition South, a residential facility that will serve the needs of victims of domestic violence and homelessness in South Dade. This project is the culmination of 10 years of planning and vision. This year we also plan to establish the Past President's roundtable with a mission to help the Junior League identify the next major project for our future.
Additional goals include educating and training our members about our own history, streamlining the membership application process and strengthening our membership outreach program. We will continue to respond to the need for efficient inter-League communication through the use of membership e-mails and our award-winning Web Site.
JLM has a history of identifying community needs and responding with action and leadership. It is an honor to be a part of this process as President.
Would you like a printed copy of the Junior League of Miami Annual Report? 
Email JLM Headquarters with your address and a copy will be mailed to you.
Send email to Holly Battle, 2002-03 President
