Jack and Jill (organization) - Programming

Programming

Since Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was founded in 1938 it has evolved into a national organization as a result of strong programming.The founder, Marion Stubbs Thomas had an idea of bringing together children in social and cultural relationships and this idea avalanched into a strong national organization. As new members were welcomed and then new chapters formed the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill were strengthened, always with children as the focal point. National President Tara Joseph-Labrie has a new vision: “Achieving excellence, Inspiring greatness and Motivating youth to lead and serve.”

The 2010-2012 National Executive Board is supporting the following national programs of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

National Programming Thrust: AIM for Healthy Living – The AIM for Healthy Living initiative is a comprehensive, collaborative, and family-oriented initiative developed by the National AIM for Healthy Living Task Force, the National Program Committee under the leadership of the National Program Director. Launched in September 2010, The AIM for Healthy Living initiative is designed to engage, educate and excite our children to live healthy lifestyles through chapter programming. There will be four AIM for Healthy Living initiative national events designed to engage every sector of Jack and Jill and decrease the risk of preventable diseases that disproportionately impact African-Americans and the community. The vision of the AIM for Healthy Living initiative will come to fruition over the next two years.

National Programming Thrust: AIM Youth to Leadership Development – This national program was thrust, introduced nationwide in 2006. It includes 16 modules, utilizing the Jacqueline Moore Bowles Teen Leadership and Development Guide, with suggested activities for implementation for teen groups. Youth that successfully complete the leadership modules receive a special invitation to attend a national Jack and Jill Youth Leadership Summit. Under the auspices of this national initiative, a National Leadership Project was also established in 2007 and funded by the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. The concept encouraged chapters to partner with Boys and Girls Clubs of America to implement leadership training in the community. The vision was realized through the outstanding efforts in every chapter across the country with the aid of the National Program Committee. The vision for youth to have leadership development education was realized and this national programming thrust continues today.

National Programming Thrust: AIM Youth to Financial Literacy – Financial Literacy was recommended as a national program thrust by the National Program Committee at the 2006 National Convention citing the Indianapolis Chapter YES To Our Future! Youth Economic Leadership Summit as a model. Chapters across the country embraced the call to action and successfully introduced financial literacy. In 2009, the Financial Literacy modules were released under the direction of then National Program Director Tara Joseph-Labrie, following a successful collaboration with Merrill Lynch. The vision for youth to have financial literacy education was realized and this national programming thrust continues today.

National Service Project: The Thompson Family – The Thompson quintuplets were born May 8, 1997 and are the beneficiaries of a National Service Project since 1998. Jack and Jill of America made the commitment to assist the children until they are adults. The family resides in Washington, DC. With the financial support of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the Jack and Jill of America Foundation the quintuplets continue to benefit from the compassionate service and relationship with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The National Program Director serves as the Liaison to the Thompson Family. Jack and Jill continues to support the Thompson quintuplets.

National Youth Service Recognition – Community service is the hallmark of a servant leader and is the underpinning of the Jack and Jill of America philosophy of leadership development. For this reason, Jack and Jill youth across the country that complete at least 25 hours of community service receive certificates of recognition. Jack and Jill is also proud to have established a National Day of Service held each January to make a difference in the community. In addition, regional community service projects under the leadership of the Member-at-Large (MAL) elected officers for each region are held in conjunction with seven regional Teen Leadership Conferences held each year. The National Program Director serves as the Liaison to the MALs. Jack and Jill of America will continue to be an organization that serves the community through its efforts and that of the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. Likewise, we will continue to train our children to be servant leaders.

National Legislative Advocacy – Jack and Jill of America has long recognized that in order to maintain a level playing field, it is critical that we have the freedom to speak in support or opposition of policies/practices, especially those that do not seem to yield fair and equitable outcomes and having disproportionate impact on any segment of the population. Under the leadership of the National President and National Legislative Committee, Jack and Jill organized the first “On The Hill Summit” in Washington DC in 2009. In 2010, Jack and Jill launched the first ever Jack and Jill Day at the State Capitol initiative across the country. With one voice, mothers of Jack and Jill of America will continue to let our voices be heard on behalf of children through an active legislative advocacy agenda.

The following are annual chapter programming.

Carole Robertson Day (September) Carole Robertson Day is in memory of Carole who was a member of a teen group in Birmingham, AL. She was killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing on September 15, 1963. At our National Convention in San Francisco, it was decided by resolution that all chapters would honor her in September with an activity that would highlight the goals of human rights, civil rights, racial harmony that Carole did not live to enjoy. She was 14 years of age at her death and she was at the church preparing to march with other youth that day for civil rights. Her mother was the regional director for the Southeastern region.

Jack and Jill Day (September) Jack and Jill Day began in 1948 under the direction of Dorothy Wright our first National President, the concept was that this day would be our family round-up time. Chapters are required to have a family activity in September that brings all of the membership together after the summer break. It is a time to also invite families that are interested in joining the organization. It focuses on the programmatic thrusts of social and recreational. However many chapters have incorporated cultural/heritage as part of the day. The focus is to promote the membership growth of the organization at an event that promotes what the organization is all about.

National Black Family Day (May) National Black Family Day came about in May 1987 when William Gray III, Congressman from Pennsylvania, spoke with conviction when he entered a tribute to JJOA into the Congressional Record on May 5, 1987 as the organization embarked upon a Black Family Day of Celebration. Activities were to focus on the needs of children worldwide with special attention to the needs of children in Africa through our partnership with Africare. Over time we have broadened our scope to focus on aspects of family and the cultural heritage of families for African Americans. Activities are planned around the family. Activities should promote the solidarity of the family by with events such as: family dinners, family worship, family communication, workshops, community service to children without families or support non-traditional families such as foster care homes, workshops on the need for black adoptions etc. Many chapters made their city governments aware of their projects and that resulted in many chapters receiving proclamations from their city or county government. Congressmen had the chapters placed in their state records for their efforts to support and strengthen black families in their areas.