There is a Greek proverb that states:  A civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit.

Our 2014-2015 League theme was “Strong Roots. Many Branches.” As we celebrated our 25th anniversary, we took the time to recognize the Strong Roots the founding members of our League planted and the Many Branches that our League has grown over the years. Likewise, our community programs continue to plant Strong Roots and grow Many Branches throughout our service area of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties.

Community Programs

• HAPPY program provided 3700 backpacks full of food to feed hungry students over the weekend and 2500 snacks to help sustain those students during the school day.
• REACH committee has donated 2,589 items to the Rainbow Room to provide immediate assistance to babies & children removed by CPS from dangerous home situations.
• Kids in the Kitchen committee taught 800 kids & their families about nutrition and the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle.
• Literacy Carnival promoted literacy by giving away over 800 books to children who don’t have access to literature at home.
• Pearl Museum committee gave thousands of third graders in Klein ISD the opportunity to take a field trip and exposes hundreds of families to the fine arts through festivals and family fun art days.
• Arrow committee helped to provide a safe haven where victims of sex trafficking can rebuild their lives and gain the self- confidence that was stolen from them.
• IMPACT committee hosted Anthony Robles for a day of motivation that was shared by over 700 educators and students.  Those teachers, coaches & athletes will take his “Unstoppable” message  & share it for generations to come.
• Our St. Luke’s volunteers worked 950 hours at the hospital helping pediatric patients, their families and nurses.
• Done in a Day committee provided volunteers to help 15 local non-profit organizations.

Annual Community Gift

JLTW presented three worthy non-profit community organizations with 2014 – 2015 Junior League of The Woodlands Community Gift Donations totaling $40,000!

• Lone Star Community Health Center – Awarded $15,000 for the creation of a dental room at their medical facility to serve those who cannot afford dental care
• Tamina Community Center – Awarded $15,0000 to purchase a work truck for moving donations and to fund summer camps for kids
• YMCA Branch Crossing – Awarded $10,000 to create a sensory focused playground, accessible by all in the community.  This playground will have unique features geared toward special needs children.

Community Assistance Funds

JLTW awarded $35,000 in Community Assistance Grants to 7 deserving organizations.  We are proud to partner with these amazing organizations to help fund these important projects that will impact the lives of women, children and families in our community.  With these grants, we are truly planting trees for generations to come!

• JoyRide Center Inc. – receiving $3,150 to provide 10 families the opportunity to participate in their Summer Family Riding Program.  This unique summer program gives family members the chance to ride along with the JoyRide clients.  This program greatly enhances the experience for the client.  In many cases, there are few activities that the whole family can participate in together.  We are proud of our partnership with Joy Ride to make this experience happen for these families.
• CASA – Child Advocates of Montgomery County – receiving $3,000 to fund the community service event and cooking class portions of their Fostering Futures program.  The Fostering Futures program equips children aging out of the foster care system with the skills to live a successful and independent life through life skills training, college training and community service projects.  We are proud to help fund this project, which will help 50 teens in the CASA Fostering Future’s program.
• Be An Angel Fund – receiving $11,000 to help fund the All Ears Listening and Language Center’s Project Roger.  “Roger” is the name of a wireless FM system that allows the deaf to access  a much larger dynamic range of sound quality, enabling them to understand speech sounds in a noisy classroom.  We are proud to help fund this project, which will provide this system for 9 preschoolers in the All Ears program.
• The Woodlands Children’s Museum – receiving $2500 to help fund their MET Head Start and Title 1 School Field Trips.  These field trips provide opportunities for at-risk children to become involved in programs outside of their usual educational events.  We are proud to help fund field trips for 300 children to The Woodlands Children’s Museum.
• Interfaith of The Woodlands – receiving $2,350 for their Kits for Kidz School Supply Assistance Program.  This program ensures that more school-aged children are fully prepared for their first day of school by providing essential supplies to start school.  We are proud to provide Interfaith with funding to purchase over 35 grade specific school supply kits for students in preK through high school.
• Cy-Hope – receiving $5000 for their Promoting Opportunities Program (POP) and Hope Centers.  The POP program helps low-income high school students afford fees for duel credit courses, advanced placement exams and certification tests.  Hope Centers give children safe places to receive positive attention and education assistance after school.  We are proud to provide Cy-Hope with funding for these important projects which will impact 825 students this year.
• Buckner-Aldine Family Hope Center – receiving $8,000 to purchase 20 laptops.  The Aldine Family Hope Center’s mission is to transform the lives of vulnerable children and build strong families.  They seek to not only meet the short-term needs but also provide long-term solutions and services, so that each child and family is equipped with the skills to become independent and self-sufficient.  We are proud to provide Buckner-Aldine Family Hope Center with funding to help complete this important mission.