Current Projects

 

Thrift Front

THRIFT HOUSE

  • Part of our organization since 1940, the JLE-NS Thrift House has been our League's oldest ongoing project and fundraiser.  It is located at 920 Chicago Avenue in Evanston.  Thrift House helps support our League and our community projects while serving a diverse community.  It also gives us the opportunity to offer Voucher Programs to other non-profit organizations including the Evanston YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and LINKS.  The vouchers enable women and children in need to shop at the Thrift House at no charge.   League members and the public can donate gently used or new clothing, books, electronics and household items.

    •  

    Kids in the Kitchen volunteers

    Fitting Futures

  •   "Building Confidence and Boosting Careers" --
    This is JLE-NS’ new community impact project that began in 2009; which will provide free clothing to young women in need for job interviews. The goal of Fitting Futures is to increase the potential for young women to achieve economic self-sufficiency by providing them with the clothing and accessories along with supplementary skills to build their confidence and boost their career potential. The JLE-NS will provide interview appropriate clothing for the type of job the women is interviewing for, and help with clothing and accessory selection. Our clients are referred to us from the Evanston Youth Job Center’s Strategic Corporate Alliances program, which is designed to help young adults with multiple barriers to employment prepare for the workforce and secure full-time employment that leads to self-sufficiency. These services deliver an essential that goes with every outfit: self-confidence that she is qualified and capable to get a job.

    •  

    BIG GIFTS FOR LITTLE HEARTS

  • Each year the New Member Class selects one hands-on project for their inaugural year. This year the new member class partnered up with the North Shore Health Center to hold a baby shower for low income expectant mothers. Diapers, clothes, toys and much more – the New Member Class brought smiles and much needed supplies to these mothers to be!

    •  

    SCHOLARSHIPS

  • JLE-NS is proud to contribute to scholarship funds to deserving college and high school students. We provide scholarships for:
    • Students at Oakton Community College:
      • Denitsa Bohoroff has a 4.0 GPA and plans to become a dental hygienist.
        • Essay quote: "People have not only opened their doors for students like me, but also their hearts, to help me follow my dreams and become a person of dignity."
      • Keunyoung Cho has a 4.0 GPA and is a business major.
        • Essay quote: "This scholarship will give me the opportunity to continue my education, a gift I truly treasure."
    • Women returning to the workforce who are attending National Louis University
    • Graduating high school seniors:
      • Lisa Doi, graduated North Shore Country Day School, will attend University of Pennsylvania in fall.
      • Meghan Gullen, graduated New Trier High School, will attend University of Missouri in fall.
      • Jason Taylor, graduated Evanston Township High School, will attend Purdue University in fall
      • Anastasia Hildner, graduated Evanston Township High School, will attend Michigan State University in fall

    • COMMUNITY GRANTS

  • JLE-NS provides grants to local non-profit organizations needing additional funding to provide their services to our community.  

    •  

    COMMUNITY COUNTS

  • JLE-NS implements direct service projects that improve the lives of children and families in our community.  In 1983, we co-founded Mary Lou’s Place, which is a domestic violence shelter in Evanston serving over 550 women and children annually.  Over the past 3 years, we have renovated the first floor of the shelter, providing a safer and cleaner environment for these families to help them achieve self-sufficiency.  Our 2007-2008 projects included sponsoring the Girls On The Run Spring Race, providing a craft center for the Evanston YMCA International Family Festival, renovating the children’s playroom at Mary Lou’s Place, and providing a Health Fair for Oak Terrace School in Highwood.

    • Check


    KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

  • Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) is a project sponsored by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) with the objective of reversing the trend of childhood obesity. JLE-NS has conducted a KITK project for three years running. In 2007-2008, we conducted the “High Five Health Fair”. Over 165 children and their mentors/parents attended the sessions which were held in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County and Oak Terrace Elementary School. In 2006-2007, we partnered with YMCA’s “Healthy Kids Day”. This national YMCA program gives families the opportunity to learn more about adopting a healthy lifestyle through fun activities and informational booths. In 2005-2006, we conducted our KITK project with Haven Middle School in Evanston, IL. While the kids prepared dinner in the kitchen, two guest speakers gave insightful presentations to parents regarding adolescent obesity, its immediate and long-term effects and healthy eating. In addition, all 700 students at Haven Middle School took home a packet of information regarding healthy eating, fun recipes that kids can cook and reference sites where additional information on the subject can be found.

    •  

    AMERICAN GIRL® FASHION SHOW

  • The American Girl® Fashion Show is a fun-filled time for girls and their families, friends and favorite American Girl dolls. The show celebrates the experience of being a girl through an educational presentation of how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture, and girls’ individual styles. The show also provides an opportunity for young girls to build their confidence and self-esteem through the experience of modeling American Girl dresses.

    •  

    “IT’S A SHORE THING” COOKBOOK

  • Our magnificent cookbook titled It's a Shore Thing: Culinary Favorites from Chicago's North Shore has been endorsed as "The Official Cookbook of Chicago's North Shore" by Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau. The recipes are favorites of our members, local celebrities, celebrities with ties to the North Shore, and well-known restaurants. In additions to recipes and entertaining tips, the cookbook also includes an historical walk through the villages and townships that make up Chicago's North Shore.

    •  

    COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

  • JLE-NS identifies the needs in the community that, after research and evaluation, are deemed appropriate to be served by the JLE-NS through community programs and projects, with the focus on the Enrichment of Youth, Family and the Underserved.

    •  

    PUBLIC AFFAIRS/ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

  • JLE-NS researches community issues and studies legislative affairs related to the Enrichment of Youth, Family and the Underserved. We then monitor, lobby and build community awareness related to specific legislation and events.

    •  

    COMMUNITY FORUMS

  • JLE-NS brings together community leaders involved in community services and programs related to our focus area to share information and network.

    •