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 for the year include Reality Check, CHARACTER COUNTS! programs and Drinking and Driving Speaker Sarah Panzau.
Through Reality Check, high school students are given a job, perhaps a spouse, and kids – then, the children must take care of their family, “spending” their “money” earned wisely! Insurance, child care, groceries and a place to live – the kids must make sure they can cover these real life needs with the “money” in their “check books”. After completing the program, students walk away realizing choices made now (level of schooling, having children, etc.) have a huge impact on their future.
CHARACTER COUNTS! Week activities will be held the week of October 19 through the 23rd. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a national character education program that teaches Six Pillars of Character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship). Members arranged speakers for daily assemblies as well as celebrations of character with balloon releases at each school.
A drinking and driving presentation will be held in the Spring of 2010 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. During the summer months, members assisted the Delta Arts Alliance (“DAA”) with several summer art camps. Our participation allowed the art instructors to open the classes to a larger number of students and enabled the DAA to keep the costs of the camps as low as possible.
Junior Auxiliary also sponsors the children's art and writing contests for the Crosstie Arts Festival to be held Saturday, April 17, 2010. See http://crosstie-arts.org/site/ for more info.
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. Finally, through our Child Welfare programming, Junior Auxiliary is also partnering with the Bolivar County Department of Human Services as they host the Blue Ribbon-Child Abuse Awareness Event.
Recreation
Through this project, 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 new Recreation/Special Education project is offered to junior high and high school age special needs students. JA also 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 10, 2010. The purpose is to promote physical activity and healthy choices. All children received a finisher’s medal, healthy snacks and water.
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.
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.
