The history of Junior League projects is varied and long-lasting. Junior League has served as an innovator of projects in partnership with other community agencies. Many of these projects are taken over by others and maintained. This is the main way to train women to become community leaders.

Fostering Wishes: Creating Brighter Futures for Foster Teens

In the spirit of community service and commitment to enriching the lives of young individuals in the Riverbend region, the Junior League of Great Alton (JLGA) embarked on an exciting new venture for the 2022-2024 term – the “Fostering Wishes” Program. This innovative project, proposed by the Impact-Based Community Initiatives (IBCI) Committee, is set to make a substantial impact on the well-being of foster teens and foster parents in our community.

Identifying the Need

JLGA’s IBCI Committee recognized a pressing need in our community – the well-being of foster teens and the support of foster parents. These young individuals, often caught in a cycle of compound trauma, face challenges that can seem insurmountable. Meanwhile, foster parents, who generously give their time and care, require support and opportunities to recharge. The “Fostering Wishes” Program is designed to address these challenges in two phases.

Phase One: Granting Wishes

In the first phase, JLGA will grant a “wish” each month to foster teens. These wishes are tailored to create opportunities for these teens to feel seen, experience a sense of normalcy, and enrich their lives. Wishes could range from special outfits to hobby supplies to covering fees for lessons and camps. The key is that these wishes are based on specific requests from the teens themselves. JLGA members will work diligently to fulfill these wishes, ensuring a personalized touch and removing any guesswork from the process. This phase aims to provide stability and joy to foster teens, offering them experiences that are often beyond the means of most foster families.

Phase Two: Parent’s Night Out

In the second phase, JLGA will organize periodic “Parent’s Night Out” events for foster families, starting in Spring 2023. These events will provide childcare and age-appropriate enriching activities for a small group of children, allowing foster parents some much-needed respite. Foster parents can enjoy a few hours of relaxation and leisure time while knowing their children are in good hands. The program will coordinate events at various locations, offering a diverse range of activities for both children and adults, making it an easily replicable and sustainable initiative.

Community Collaboration

Collaboration with local organizations, such as Caritas Family Solutions and Mid-Town Moms, will be key to the success of this program. Caritas, a nonprofit social services agency, will help identify the teens and foster families most in need of our support. Mid-Town Moms and other community groups will provide additional hands and resources, allowing JLGA to expand its reach without overwhelming its members.

Scalability and Alignment with JLGA’s Mission

The “Fostering Wishes” Program is designed to be scalable. JLGA will grant at least one wish per month and host two “Parent’s Night Out” events annually. As funding and volunteer support grow, the program can expand to grant more wishes and provide even more support to foster families. Importantly, this initiative aligns perfectly with JLGA’s mission of promoting the well-being of children and families in the Riverbend region.

A Legacy of Impact

The “Fostering Wishes” Program represents an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. It addresses the urgent needs of foster teens and foster parents, aligns with JLGA’s values, and provides a range of volunteer opportunities for members. This program is about stability, joy, and support for those who need it most in our community. As we move forward with “Fostering Wishes,” we look forward to not only fulfilling immediate needs but also leaving a lasting impact on the lives of underserved foster teens and their families for generations to come.

Family Literacy

Family-Literacy-Page One recent project involved working with Lewis and Clark Community College‘s Family Literacy program to tackle the epidemic of illiteracy.
“Did you know that 32 million adults in the U.S. can’t read? That’s 14 percent of the population! 21 percent of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level, and 19 percent of high school graduates can’t read. The current literacy rate isn’t any better than it was 10 years ago.  According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (completed most recently in 2003, and before that, in 1992), 14 percent of adult Americans demonstrated a “below basic” literacy level in 2003, and 29 percent exhibited a “basic” reading level.” – Huffington Post 2014
On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 – one of many projects planned with the group – joined a class of GED students at L&C for a Cultural Food Event where we assisted in serving up some international cuisine to go along with their lesson of the day.
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We have a rich history of working with the schools in the area. Some of the programs in the schools have included:
  • Kids In the Kitchen – encouraging young people to eat healthier meals and snacks as a result of nutritional education and hands-on cooking experiences.
  • Early Indians historical programs – Members visited classrooms and discussed the earliest inhabitants of this area. They presented a box of artifacts to class and passed them around to the students, including pottery shards, arrowheads and other archeological artifacts of this area.
  • Kindergarten pre-screening program
  • Safety Programs at the schools – Mr. Yuk poison and other safety programs
  • Latchkey program held at the schools
  • We still work closely with schools today, our most recent project being our contribution to the All God’s Children Must Have Shoes program.
Some other projects taken on by League:
  • 1955 – Junior League members provided all the services for the Easter Seal Day Camp. The camp was run on the campus of Monticello College (now Lewis and Clark Community College) until 1975, when the affiliation ended and Easter Seals took over running and financing the program. This program is still run today by Easter Seals.
  • 1973 – Junior League members formed the founding group of the Piasa Bicycle Trails, Inc. An initial event was to host the Great River Road Bike Day. The state closed the River Road for one day for bicycles only. This event led to the work to put a bike trail in permanently. Piasa Bicycle Trails Inc. was formed to allow separate and continued focus on the issue. This group worked with local, state and federal officials to create a bike trail in the area. The bike trail was dedicated in 1976.
  • 1977 – Bike Safety Fair began – It was planned and executed by the provisional class and presented at area schools. This became an annual program until 2002. The last event was held in cooperation with Alton Memorial Hospital. They have now taken over this event and continue the program that gives away free bicycle helmets at their annual safety fair.
  • 1975 – Provided leadership in organizing a citizens committee concerned with the new Gordon F. Moore Park. Dr. Gordon Moore worked to develop and implement the creation of the park.
  • 1980 – Dedication of mini-park fountain and play area at Gordon Moore Park. This was joint effort of Alton/Godfrey Rotary, Kiwanis Clubs and Junior League to have these additions to the park.
  • Installing Mini Parks in cooperation with Price and the Alton Parks and Rec. Dept. in small areas around Alton was a continuing project.
  • 1985 – Organized Robert Wadlow statue dedication
  • Also organized the opening celebration for Famous Barr; now Macy’s