Character Builders
Learning to live on a budget, the realities of having kids – these are certain “life” experiences kids need help understanding. JA’S Character Builders aims to prepare our area children for LIFE and teach them virtues that will help them succeed! Projects include Reality Check, CHARACTER COUNTS! programs and Drinking and Driving Speaker Sarah Panzau.
Through Reality Campus, ninth and tenth grade students will pass through 8 different stations each simulating various experiences in planning and preparing for college such as housing, tuition, meal plans, etc. – just to name a few.
CHARACTER COUNTS! Week activities are held for one week in October. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a national character education program that teaches Six Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship). Members arrange speakers for daily assemblies as well as celebrations of character with balloon releases at each school.
A drinking and driving presentation was held February 22 and 23 of 2011 by Sarah Panzau for grades 9-12 of the Cleveland School District and Bayou Academy. Sarah Panzau travels the country telling her story of the effects of drinking and driving.
Child Lures
It is a parent’s worst nightmare – a missing child. Through our Child Lures projects, Junior Auxiliary aims to educate children and their parents about the dangers that surround them. The KIDCARE I.D. program is used to create a detailed description and record of each child. This information is essential for parents to have on hand in case of an emergency or abduction. JA members provide this service upon special request from local schools.
Crown Club
Fifth through eighth grade daughters and granddaughters of active and associate/life JA members are invited to join Crown Club and participate in Junior Auxiliary’s projects. Through the activities, these young ladies’ interests are peaked in the social, economic, educational, civic, and cultural conditions around them. JA members also demonstrate to these young girls the importance and joy of caring for others.
Cultural
Cultural projects strive to expose area children to and expand their interest in all areas of the arts. Junior Auxiliary sponsors the children's art and writing contests for the Crosstie Arts Festival which was held Saturday, April 16, 2011. Click here for Children's art and writing contest information and/or visit http://crosstie-arts.org/site/ for more information regarding the festival.
During the 2010-2011 JA year, the cultural committee began Beyond the Canvas, a Community Mural Project. Through this project, JA will collaborate with established artists and community organizations with our local youth assisting to transform public spaces with dynamic murals, mosaics, and sculptures that enhance the quality of life in our community. The first such project was Delta's Glory, a life-size fiberglass horse painted by the Project Pass class of Hayes Cooper Center, a magnet school in the Cleveland School District. The horse's Delta theme includes the Mississippi River, Delta State University’s mascot, mosquitoes, blues, cotton, and other uniquely Delta icons. The thoroughbred is now housed within the courtyard of the Delta Arts Alliance.
Child Welfare
Junior Auxiliary is committed to providing children in the community with items and opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them. Items include necessary staples like school supplies and clothing. Members also give hands-on time with the children through the Junior Auxiliary Mentor (JAM) program.
Health and Wellness
Through this project, JA assists with the Bowling Buddies program through the local schools. Approximately 40 children, ages 10-12 years old, meet on Saturdays for 8-10 weeks and learn the game of bowling and generally have a great time. Junior Auxiliary members are there to assist the kids and cheer them on.
Another recreation project this year is the Kids’ Fun Run held the Saturday of Octoberfest, October 9, 2011. The purpose is to promote physical activity and healthy choices. All children received a finisher’s medal, healthy snacks and water. And a free tennis clinic was held the week of Spring Break for area 5th graders.
Through our Recreation programming, JA Members also volunteer at sporting events held throughout the community including the annual Brett McClendon Memorial Baseball Tournament and State Swim Meet at Delta State University.
In the Fall 2010, JA performed hearing and vision screenings for all students at Bell Academy. Special Sports
Special Sports
Junior Auxiliary conducts sports programs for the special needs children in our community. With the assistance of the Delta State University basketball teams and the CHS girls basketball team, members hold a Special Sports “Hoop It Up” Basketball program during several Saturday mornings in October and November. This Recreation/Special Education project is offered to junior high and high school age special needs students. Members also organize two Saturdays of Bowl Me Over for the special needs kids at the local bowling alley, one in the fall and one in the spring. Prior to the Special Olympics, JA will celebrate with the special education students participating in the event with a pep rally. Members will make signs, bring goodies and cheer for the participants alongside the teachers and cheerleaders.
Scholarship
Through this project, Junior Auxiliary recognizes and honors the top scholars in Bolivar County. JA awards undergraduate scholarships to three winners of our "Care Today - Character Tomorrow" essay contest and sponsors a banquet to honor top senior scholars. Our chapter also assists with the application process for the NAJA scholarship available to graduate students who are pursuing degrees in fields which address the special needs of children and who plan to work directly with children.
Special Education
Junior Auxiliary members visit Special Education classes in several Cleveland schools to work with these special students. Members provide educational opportunities for these children through craft projects, field trips, parties, and personal contact with the students.
Voices of Youth
See the A Child's Dream tab for more info.
