Current Projects

The New Members of the Junior League of Lancaster are proud to announce their new project with...
      
      

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.

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, will run through June 2010 and 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 will launch Hands are Not for Hitting at Brecht Elementary during the 2009-10 school year. 

As sponsored by:

Kids in the Kitchen

The Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) expanded Kids in the Kitchen into a partnership with Lancaster General Hospital’s Healthy Weight Management Coalition (LGH) and the Lancaster Rec Center during 2009.  Fifteen to twenty scholarship students between the ages of approximately 6 and 12 from at least four (4) Lancaster Rec Centers, as well as their parents, will benefit from this project.  The shared goal of this project is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and to help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.

In February of 2006, the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) and its member Leagues launched an initiative called Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen, designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition. Junior Leagues conduct the programs in partnership with local community organizations where children are invited to join in demonstrations and lessons on how to select and prepare healthy, affordable meals and snacks. AJLI provides the guidelines and materials to support the success of these educational activities. AJLI also provides a website www.kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org which includes recipes, tips on nutrition and healthy lifestyles plus a "Kids Corner" which is supported by the Cartoon Network. The Cartoon Network provides support for program activities and Public Service Announcements to increase traffic to the website. AJLI estimates that 200 million people have been reached via this media coverage in the past two years.

The JLL has participated in three other Kids in the Kitchen events: in 2006, JLL members organized events with the Hempfield School District and the Manheim Township School District; in 2007, the Provisional Class facilitated an event at the Boys and Girls Club in Lancaster; in 2008, JLL members organized a DIAD project at the Steinman Clubhous of the Boys and Girls Clubhouse for more than forty children, with Betsey Sterenfeld, creator and owner of Essen, serving as Host Chef for the event.

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