Hands Are Not for Hitting Project

In June 2007, the Junior League of Lancaster launched the program "Hands Are Not For Hitting: A Conflict Resolution Curriculum for 2nd Graders". This initial program was launched with Schaeffer Elementary School, was completed in June 2010.  The program provides 2nd graders in partner schools with the tools and ability to resolve conflicts without hurting others on the inside (feelings) or outside (bodies).

The Hands Are Not for Hitting curriculum was developed 12 years ago and has been presented at 20 elementary schools in the Ann Arbor, MI school district with great success. The students at those schools, as well as teachers and volunteers have great praise for the program emphasizing that everyone learns a lot while having fun.

Hands Are Not for Hitting is a progressive conflict management curriculum that is especially designed for second grade students. It is based on the idea that early intervention and education are the keys to the prevention of abuse and bullying in our schools and community. The program teaches children to express their feelings in appropriate, constructive and healthy ways. By working with trained Junior League of Lancaster volunteers inside their classrooms, children will begin to build the skills necessary to settle disputes peacefully - with their words, heads and hearts instead of their hands.

Hands Are Not for Hitting is designed to teach conflict resolution in creative, engaging ways that are developmentally appropriate for young children. The curriculum reinforces the value of teamwork and incorporates many activities, role playing, games and art. The program is presented in seven 55-minute classroom sessions per school year.

This is a three phase program spanning 3 school years per school. During Phase One (Year One), JLL volunteers will present the curriculum and provide all the required books and materials. During Phase Two (Year Two), the curriculum will be presented jointly by JLL volunteers and PTO members. In Phase Three (Year Three), PTO members will present the curriculum to second grade classes. Three separate second grade classes will benefit from this initiative.

The Junior League of Lancaster has completed the Hands are Not for Hitting program at Brecht Elementary, Shaeffer Elementary and is currently in the first year of transition at Nitraurer Elementary School.

As sponsored by:

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Reach Out and Read
      

Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud in pediatric exam rooms across the nation. Doctors and nurses know that growing up healthy means growing up with books. The ROR program provides the tools to help promote children's developmental skills and later school success. For more information,
please check this website.  

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In 2006, the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) and its member Leagues launched an initiative called Kids in the Kitchen, designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition. Junior Leagues across the country conduct Kids in the Kitchen programs in partnership with local community organizations. Children are invited to join in demonstrations and lessons on how to select and prepare healthy, affordable meals and snacks.

In 2010-2011, the Junior League of Lancaster, in partnership with Lancaster General Hospital’s Healthy Weight Management Coalition, reached over 2000 children at Kids in the Kitchen events at:

• San Juan Bautista Youth Center’s after-school program
• Lancaster City YMCA’s after-school program
• Lancaster Recreation Center’s “Family Fitness Day”
• Aaron’s Acres “A-Team” Sunday Respite
• Envisions at Neff Elementary School
• School District of Lancaster’s “Spring Parent Academy”
• Lancaster Recreation Commission “Little League Opening Day”
• Ross Elementary School “Spring Health Fair”
• “Amazing Wellness Fair” at Clipper Stadium
• Girls on the Run’s “Fun Run”

Fitness components at events were provided by Evolution Yoga, Hartz Physical Therapy and Soccer Shots. The Kids in the Kitchen program will continue bringing its message of healthy nutrition to Lancaster children and their families in 2011-2012.

As sponsored by:

Aaron's Acres

Aaron's Acres provides recreational services to children with special needs. The program includes a summer camp and eight respite care sessions which are held through the school year. Aaron's Acres mission statement is "to provide a comprehensive, year round recreational program to children with developmental disabilities and their families, focusing on increasing socialization and communication for children who have special needs."

For typical children, many recreational activities can be found within the community; however, for the child with special needs, these activities are limited. Aaron's Acres programs provide a) children, regardless of their abilities, with the opportunities to interact with their peers and b) families with opportunities to connect with other families in similar situations. Each child's needs are addressed by qualified staff counselors and instructors.

The summer camp has been held annually since 1998 at the Lancaster Jewish Community Center, and includes a camp carnival for the children and their families. The respite care program started at the Lancaster Jewish Community Center in 2002. During the school year, children ages 5-21 are invited to attend a monthly recreational program. Siblings are invited to attend these respite sessions, thereby giving the parents a much needed break from their daily care-giving responsibilities.

Working with the Aaron's Acres Executive Director, Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) members were instrumental in the development of the respite care program. Initially, JLL volunteers planned all activities, made necessary purchases, and provided hands-on assistance with the children. Since its inception, more than 120 children have benefited from the respite program.

Currently, JLL members volunteer at the monthly respite sessions and at the summer camp carnival. Additionally, the JLL will provide scholarships for respite sessions during October 2009-May 2010.

Done-in-A-Days (DIAD)

In addition to our ongoing projects, the Junior League of Lancaster continually presents opportunities for "Done-In-A-Day (DIAD) projects.  DIAD projects, which are typically completed in a day, partner with local organizations who are in need of temporary help for a special event or program.  The Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) may be responsible for organizing the event, supplying volunteers during the event and providing financial assistance to make the event a success.  The following are a few previous DIAD projects sponsored by the Junior League of Lancaster during 2008-09:

Carter’s Corner

Carter's Corner was founded by Junior League of Lancaster member Megan Brown. Carter's Corner is an interactive and child-oriented space at Womens and Babies Hospital that offers children waiting at the hospital during the laboring/delivery process the opportunity to create crafts for moms and new siblings. 

Ephrata Performing Arts Center

The Junior League of Lancaster provided volunteers to assist the Ephrata Performing Arts Center with its Family Series, The Miracle Worker, which was presented in February, 2009.

Junior Achievement of Central PA Young Women’s Futures Symposium – March 3, 2009

League members again had the opportunity to volunteer with Junior Achievement’s annual Young Women’s Futures Symposium. 

Lancaster Science Fair

Junior League of Lancaster members provided volunteer services for the North Museum for the Lancaster Science Fair on March 22 – 25, 2009. 

Past Projects

Wheatland Restoration • Rock Ford Restoration • Boy’s Club Projects • Art Goes to School Project

Radio Station for the Blind • Asset Builders • Children’s Room at Lancaster County Library

Demuth House Renovation • Community Opportunities Fund Establishment • Sunflower Project
Hands-on-House Museum Established • Stork’s Nest • Leadership Lancaster

Local Chapter of National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse • Children’s Literacy Project
Project LEAD (Leadership Education And Development) • Respite Care Project

New Directions Employment and Counseling Center Project • Deb’s House Crises Nursery
DUI Project (Alcohol Awareness) • TAPP (Teenage Pregnancy and Prevention Project)

Environmental Resource Library at Lancaster County Parks • Habitat for Humanity Women Build Home
Voter Assistance for People with Disabilities • Substance Abuse Babies Project • Adult Literacy Council Project Free Kindergarten in Lancaster City Voices Against Violence Youth Conference