GFWC Juniors’ Special Program: Advocates for Children is designed to encourage all woman’s, Junior Woman’s, Juniorette, and International Affiliate Clubs to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate. The Program was envisioned as a way for clubwomen to provide a voice for children and to teach and encourage parents and other caregivers to advocate for children at the grassroots level.
Projects:
Suitcases for Foster Care Program
Operation Smile
Child Abuse Prevention Awareness
Guiding Harbor Support
Operation Smile 2023
Seven members participated in the project. Six members provided an array of items for the Operation Smile needs list including but not limited to yo-yos, play doh, matchbox cars, books, puzzles, stuffed animals, dolls, personal care items and sticker books. Two members completed sewing projects including 2 gowns, 11 Smile bags, 10 no-no arm bands and 2 blankets. One member collected the projects, prepared boxes for mailing and sent them to Operation Smile.
Foster Child Suitcase Program 2023
Twelve suitcases were delivered to the Department of Health and Human Service Foster Care Program on April 27, 2023 Each suitcase was filled with a blanket, nightlight/flashlight, several books, and a stuffed animal for the younger kids. The suitcases were labeled by gender and age range.
Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
The pinwheels were planted in April 2023 for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. Each pinwheel has a sticker indicating what it is for and an 800 number to call to report child abuse. You will see these pinwheels all around town. Thank you to Dee Van Horn for organizing this and to volunteers Melanie Henry, Pat Rossi, Celeste Szczerowski and Linda Telfer for assisting in the planting.
