JLOSH typically runs projects for three years. Some of our more recent projects are listed below.
East Orange Public Library
When renovations are completed in 2010, hundreds of families will enjoy newly renovated, child-friendly facilities at the East Orange Public Library, thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills and our continuing support. This project has been made possible thanks to the generosity of many donors who supported our 95th anniversary gala in 2008.
The Toddler Area of the library’s Juniors’ Section has been redesigned to make a welcoming and comfortable space specially for young children and their families (including new parents) and to inspire a life-long love of books. To support the focus on early literacy, JLOSH is assisting the library with its annual book sale, donating new books for the shelves and devising a rota of volunteers to help at the library.
In 2008, as a separate project, JLOSH spruced up East Orange Public Library’s Franklin Branch with fresh paint, furniture, artwork and furnishings and equipment, plus over 600 new children’s books, creating a welcoming environment for local children to do homework, study, relax and enjoy a host of after school activities.
Children's Best Interest
During our three-year Children’s Best Interest community project, culminating in 2009, JLOSH partnered with key organizations to improve the lives of some of New Jersey's most under-served children and teens. At the Maplewood office of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) we constructed an emergency closet of clothing, food and toiletries for infants and children removed from homes on very short notice, and we renovated three rooms designated for supervised meetings between fostered children and their family members. The League has provided over 300 foster children with backpacks filled with school supplies. We have supplied food and gifts at DYFS's annual holiday party for foster children and donated Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families. In addition, we sponsored trips to Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange and local theatre shows for foster children, their parents and guardians. Towards the end of the project, JLOSH helped mentor a group of teenage women who grew up in the foster system and introduced them to activities including pottery, cooking, women’s college sports, poetry slams, and restaurant dining.
Aging Out: Don’t Miss Out
In 2009, JLOSH partnered with the Junior League of Montclair-Newark, Rutgers University Law School and the Essex County Family Court to offer educational and career advice to teens about to age out of the foster system. Together we co-hosted Aging Out: Don’t Miss Out, a convention providing valuable information and resources to over 175 students, their families and caseworkers. The event drew foster teens together with representatives from colleges, technical schools, and agencies providing apprenticeships, giving them the opportunity to build their own futures with educational resources, career advice and discussions with law guardians, their voice in family court.
In addition, two talented teens left with SAT/ACT test prep scholarships valued at over $1100 each, donated by Kaplan educational services as prizes in an essay contest.
Grants (2006-2007)
Over the years, JLOSH has awarded thousands of dollars in grants to deserving community organizations to help support the JLOSH vision of a community in which the health and education of women and children are promoted and supported.
New Jersey SEEDS (Orange and East Orange), for recruitment for the SEEDS Scholars program.
Marylawn of the Oranges Academy (South Orange), for the Combating Teenage Obesity Program through nutrition education and lifestyle changes.
South Orange-Maplewood Education Foundation, for the ACHIEVE Volunteer Tutor Program, "Closing the Achievement Gap in Math".
Community Day Nursery (East Orange), to purchase math books for the preschool.
Good Grief, Inc. (Summit), to fund community education workshops to equip adults with the skills necessary to assist children coping with grief.
Neighborhood Improvement Development Association (East Orange), for computer upgrades and instruction for women and youth.
SAGE Eldercare (Summit), for Meals-on-Wheels outreach program for the elderly.
Saint Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston), for pediatric medical equipment at the pediatric clinic.
Springfield YMCA (Springfield), for "Fitness for Kids" pilot program.
St. Timothy's House (Orange), for a computer literacy program for home residents.
Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled of Metrowest, Inc. (West Orange), for the "Women on the Rise" program.