Junior League Of El Paso

The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes the following: Children/Youth and Education The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes the rights of children/youth to opportunities and services essential for their education and development through programs that enhance their physical, intellectual, emotional, cultural and social growth. Diversity The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. recognizes the importance of cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity. Domestic Violence Prevention The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. believes that domestic violence is unacceptable and supports and promotes programs designed to increase public awareness and education on the issue of domestic violence. Elderly The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes the rights of older adults to opportunities and services essential for their physical, intellectual, emotional, social and economic well-being. Environment The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes efforts to preserve our natural resources through conservation and education. Quality of Life The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes programs and services that enhance quality of life through the arts, cultural education and the development of community pride. Women The Junior League of El Paso, Inc. supports and promotes the general welfare of women, including access to health care, education and economic opportunity.

ed citizens to participate in the shaping of their community's future. In conjunction with this attempt to identify community needs and problems, there was an interest in education within the League itself that led to the SEARCH self-enrichment classes in 1973. The Women's Resource Center housed by the YMCA began operation in March, 1978 to provide life planning, job counseling, and educational and crisis referral to women in transitional stages of life. League members served as intake workers, clerical aids and members of the Management Committee and Advisory Council. The 70's also began to see changes taking place in our traditional methods of fund-raising. A very successful "Garters Galore '74" continued the tradition of the "Follies Revue" with a gross income of approximately $64,000 and a net profit of approximately $40,000. At the same time, work was begun on two new Ways and Means projects: Seasoned with Sun Cookbook, which was originally named Half-Baked Cookbook (8,930 were sold at $5.00 each by April 15, 1975 for a gross income of $45,436.80) and "A Christmas Fair", which was originally named "Christmas Boutique" and the "Country Christmas Fair," first held in November, 1974 at the El Paso Country Club (gross profit $13,500). Still exhibiting its long-standing commitment to children's causes, JLEP established and continued its efforts through the Youth Assistance Program, the Child Care Umbrella Project, the Child Abuse Seminar, the Southwestern Community House, Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS), and Parents for Drug Awareness. The Youth Assistance Program was begun in 1975; it sought to divert potential juvenile offenders by making appropriate social services available to them. It also printed a Youth Service Directory. The Child Care Umbrella Project was implemented to improve the quality and availability of child care in El Paso by improving communication between child care facilities through the publication of monthly newsletters and by improving and expanding the system of registered daycare homes. The Child Abuse Seminar featured nationally-recognized speakers educating over 500 teachers, day care personnel, doctors and police employees on child abuse, the legal ramifications of reporting abuse or neglect, and providing firsthand experiences of an abusive parent. Additionally, the League also provided funding and support to the Southwestern Community House, which opened in 1978 as a residential treatment center for disabled adolescents. During this decade, the League also trained over 1500 volunteers annually to work within the public schools in its VIPS programs. Finally, the League played a major role in organizing Parents for Drug Awareness. The 1980's One of the Leagues most distinguished contributions to the quality of life was born on February, 1980 with the opening of INSIGHTS, the worlds only "hands on" science and technology center, operated entirely by volunteers. This decade also saw the Chamizal Fiesta of the Arts, a 10-day program held each summer at the Chamizal National Memorial to demonstrate and promote the arts in El Paso. In 1980-1981, the JLEP joined with the El Paso Arts Alliance and Arts Resources Department in hosting Mural Week as part of the four Centuries 1981 Celebration. The St. Louis-based firm of On the Wall Productions spent a week in El Paso holding mural workshops, advocating the use of murals as a public art form to local businesses and organizations, and painting a cooperative Four Centuries mural at the Cordova Bridge. In 1980-1981, under the leadership of JLEP president Mrs. Hughes Butterworth Jr., the membership adopted the following position statement: The Junior League of El Paso, Texas, Inc. supports and promotes the following: Every child in Texas should have access to quality education. Therefore: Conditions conducive to recruiting and maintaining quality teachers must exist; Standards of Excellence for teachers must be required; Children should be educated according to their individual needs. Letters were sent to all Texas legislators, our local school superintendents, school board members, and teachers' organizations, requesting their support for the bills in the state legislature which would grant increases in teachers' salaries, require teacher competency testing and additional funding for programs for the gifted and talented students. In 1981-1982, our Headquarters was extensively remodeled and redecorated with a budget of $120,000. In 1982-1983, the JLEP celebrated its 50th anniversary with a formal dinner-dance and community reception. Junior League Week was declared by the El Paso's Mayor and two historical landmarks were dedicated to El Paso County. A Christmas Fair made a profit of $82,000. In 1983-1984, portraits of the past presidents were displayed at Headquarters in honor of the 50th celebration. In 1984-1985, in order to meet the needs of its members, a new placement option was offered wherein members who had completed at least seven years of active membership were permitted to choose Associate Status, wherein they were not placed on a committee but were required to fulfill other membership obligations. Community Research considered twenty potential project applications which resulted in eight new projects including: Adopt-a-Median, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Kids of El Paso, Woman to Woman (alcohol awareness), and Zarzuela Festival (Spanish Operetta). Internally, an Executive Liaison/Council System was implemented to provide additional leadership training and communication among committees. In 1986-1987, Adopt-a-Median inaugurated a collaborative project with the El Paso Clean Community Systems. A year of research, planning, and bureaucratic trailblazing netted over $285,000 and sponsorship for planning 40 highway medians. In 1989-1990, the Admissions Committee proposed a record 62 perspective members. Community Research studied a record 30 proposals for submission to the Project Review Committee, resulting in the adoption of seven new and seven continuing projects. Through these efforts and community projects, the JLEP continued to manifest its concern for children and the arts that began fifty years before. The 1990's As El Paso has grown and diversified, the programs of the JLEP have expanded and changed to reflect and respond to the broadening needs of the community. As critical issues arose during this decade, the need for and the role of voluntarism became greater than ever before. In the 90's, various community projects were researched, with an emphasis on membership desires and interests, focus areas defined by the membership and community needs. The League continued its work in collaboration with local organizations and entities on projects directed at Children and Education, Youth at Risk, and the Quality of Life for the Elderly. The following JLEP-initiated projects remained active in the community: Drug Free Zone, El Papalote, El Paso Zoo Camp, High Q, Houchen Community Center, Infant CPR, Juan de Onate Thanksgiving, Los Murales, Rio Grande Food Bank, Special Needs Scouting, Toxic Trends, UTEP Centennial Museum, Kids ?N Company, Border Children's Health Center, Metropolitan Opera, Bridge Center, Focus on First Graders, Welcome Baby, Estrellas de Capea, Learning Trolley, LIFT (Learning is Fun Today), Christmas in April, Music Therapy for the Elderly/Goodtime Singers, Midnight Basketball and Sharing Sam. Christmas in April, a national home repair program, started in 1991-1992 with a budget of $42,000 and volunteers from local businesses, organizations and individuals to repair low-income homes in El Paso. In its first year (1993-1994), Midnight Basketball was responsible for an impressive 32% reduction in crime in the neighborhoods served. The JLEP was awarded the AJLI/BMW Merit Award for this project, which was the first time JLEP had won an Association award of such prestige and distinction. This project was also selected by AJLI as a model project presented at two sessions at the Annual Conference. For the first time, the Community Assistance Committee, during 1992-1993, disbursed $20,000 to non-profit organizations that needed financial assistance on a onetime basis without the placement of volunteers. In 1991-1992, after 20 years, the JLEP ceased the Metropolitan Opera auditions. 1997-1998 was the first year the JLEP implemented projects focused entirely on combating the problem of domestic violence. They included the Bridge House Task Force, Court Watch Task Force, Domestic Violence Public Awareness Campaign, El Paso Shelter for Battered Women Speakers Bureau, Sheltering our Community, and YWCA Week Without Violence. The Provisional class conducted the Focus 5K as its class project, and for the first time, a provisional class project was adopted by the Active membership and became JLEP's third Ways and Means project. The League adopted a new focus statement which provided: "The Junior League of El Paso believes that through programs and projects directed at increasing public awareness and education on the issue of domestic violence and abuse, the El Paso community will begin to the break they cycle of family violence." During this decade, Ways and Means projects were more successful than ever before. The Christmas Fair netted a record $205,000 in 1995. New areas for underwriting were created, such as theme trees and late night shopping. The Fair Merchants committee sold a record number of booths, and the Fair was promoted not only in El Paso but also in Las Cruces and Juarez. Seasoned with Sun sold over 12,000 cookbooks in 1991-1992 alone, for a profit of $35,000. A fourth printing of the cookbook was ordered. The JLEP celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1993-1994. Public Relations applied for and received a $15,000 grant covering the costs associated with the anniversary celebration. The anniversary campaign enhanced the League's image in the community and included a variety of events and promotions, such as the JLEP's first media reception, the dedication of the Clock Tower at the Insights Museum, a billboard campaign, a video demonstrating the JLEP's continued role in community leadership, and a mural at Headquarters. As a result, the JLEP received first place in the "Image Campaign" category in the AJLI International Creative Communications Contest. The Environmental Research and Recycling Committee made Headquarters more "environmentally friendly" by educating members on what could be done to preserve the environment and instituting recycling within Headquarters. Changes were made to Headquarters, including providing for handicap accessibility, permanent billboards and major landscaping. In 1995-1996, the Council System was established. It provided a new governance structure, designed to increase efficiency, allow for a larger but less duplicative governance structure, increase communication between committees, and provide greater input by the membership in the decision-making process. As the 1990's came to a close, the League continued to focus on Domestic Violence Prevention with new projects and an active media campaign. Through Kid's Connection, the League presented a self esteem curriculum for children living in our area shelters, including the Shelter for Battered Women, Child Crisis Center and Transitional Living Center. Additionally the League was able to spread the word to third graders and middle and high school students about the effects of violence through its Break the Cycle program. Perhaps, the most significant, however, was the League's commitment to adopt Independence House as its signature project in 1999. In partnership with the YWCA-El Paso Del Norte Region, the League began laying the groundwork to provide supportive or bridge housing for low-income, abused women and their children. The League raised over $1,000,000 for this endeavor through grants, donations and fund-raisers. The last two years of the 90's also brought about the development of a new cookbook for the League. The entire membership participated in the involved process of submitting and testing recipes, while the committee worked diligently to research marketing opportunities and develop the theme and master content of the book. Riding on success of its predecessor, Seasoned with Sun, the new cookbook was to be entitled Seasoned with Fun. As El Paso continued to grow and diversify, the programs of the Junior League also expanded and changed to reflect the needs of the community. Indeed, the Junior League of El Paso had established itself as a prominent group of women who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in El Paso. With the new millennium approaching, the league began the process of transitioning into a new focus area which depicted that characterization perfectly: "Quality of Life" was to be the new focus area to guide the Junior League of El Paso into the 21st century. The New Millennium (2000) The anticipation and excitement created as the year 2000 rolled over was abundant and the Junior League celebrated its accomplishments as well. In November, 2000, the League unveiled "Seasoned with Fun" at their annual A Christmas Fair event. The new book featured a completely new look, style, recipes and wonderful tips for "cooking and entertaining with pizzazz." Sales were tremendous and the book, which sold for $19.95, exceeded all expectations. Just two months later, the grand opening of Independence House was realized in January, 2001. Independence House provides support services in a safe and affordable living environment to eight selected families. Below market rent is offered to the residents, who are victims of domestic abuse, for a maximum of two years at which time they will be prepared to transition into mainstream housing. In addition to building the housing development, the League also established educational activities and a mentoring program for the women and children who resided there. As the transition into the new focus area, Quality of Life, began in 2001, six new projects were adopted: Begin at Birth Celebration, League Juniors, Keystone Botanical Garden, Park Power, Plaza Theatre Revival, and Children's International Cultural Center Research Team. 2001-2002 Our country was unified as never before when terrorism struck our nation on September 11, 2001. The importance of voluntarism never seemed more critical. The League focused on Quality of Life with 8 community projects: Begin at Birth, Children's International Culture Center Research Team, Domestic Violence Prevention Commission, Independence House Mentor Project, Keystone Botanical Garden Committee, League Juniors, Park Power, and the Plaza Theatre Revival. The Yucca was made available on line for the first time, and a Capital Campaign began to begin renovations. The "heart was the key" to the memberships' successes. 2002-2003 Many new JLEP transitions occurred throughout this calendar year beginning with the adoption of the AJLI based logo and tag line of "Women Building Better Communities." During this year the League enjoyed an abundance of local media coverage and began the celebration of its 70th anniversary as a league. The local headquarters facility had a cosmetic facelift financed exclusively through a very successful capital campaign aimed at renovations. A Christmas Fair 2002 recruited a landmark 150 merchants and counted over 13, 0000 visitors during the three-day holiday shopping event. The League continued to make a community impact on Quality of life through its Projects: Alzheimer's Auxiliary, Holocaust Docents, Independence House Mentors, Keystone Botanical Garden, League Temps, Music Therapy for the Elderly, Plaza Theatre Docents, and Zoo Camp. The year was completed with the selection of a third focus area, Economic Development/Invest in El Paso. The membership took pride in multiple triumphs realized through community projects and internal innovations. 2003-2004 The Junior League of El Paso achieved many tangible victories, celebrated a trio of important milestones and thrived as a public organization throughout the year. A Christmas Fair 2003 marked the 30th anniversary of the holiday gift market facilitating over 150 merchants and a successful revival of the "Fabulous Follies". A Follies variety show had not been attempted since 1973, but the League overcame the risk and easily trained eighty Active, Provisional and Sustaining members to perform before a delighted audience of more than 600 in late October. As Seasoned with Sun celebrated its thirtieth birthday, the membership concluded a year-long tribute to the League's 70-year existence in El Paso. The fundraising team on RDC solicited sponsors and generated cash donations of more than $110,000.00 for future programs and projects; additionally the first comprehensive Fundraising Plan was authored to assist in the recruitment, analysis and application of financial resources. Direct community involvement, the heart and soul of the Junior League's work, was executed through seven Quality of Life projects: Alzheimer's Auxiliary, El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, Holocaust Docents, Independence House Mentors, Kid Matters, MediPals and Music Therapy for the Elderly. At the close of the year in April, the Provisional Class developed the Bite of the Border, a new and innovative fundraiser that joined the public fundraising umbrella in 2004-2005. The League's legacy of identifying and satisfying the needs of the El Paso community is what perpetuates JLEP's longevity and it is also why they have been El Paso's Timeless Treasure since 1933. 2004-2005 This year was truly remarkable for the Junior League of El Paso. After several years of research, fundraising, and planning, the El Paso Desert Botanical Garden at Keystone Heritage Park finally opened. The Garden was just one of the fabulous projects the JLEP implemented this year. The others were: Art & Sol, Music Therapy for the Elderly, Independence House, and El Paso Ambassadors. This year also saw remarkable public relations and media highlighting the efforts of the League. A Christmas Fair was a fun-filled event with a New Orleans theme. Bite of the Border was a great success with over 4,000 people attending. Advisory and Strategic Planning developed a new three-year comprehensive Strategic Plan. All of the accomplishments this year reflect that members are, indeed, "Driven to Succeed!" 2005-2006 The 2005-2006 year of the Junior League of El Paso unleashed many wonderful ideas, projects, and programs into the El Paso community. Through our eight projects: Cradled in Love, Field of Dreams, Music Therapy for the Elderly, El Paso Desert Botanical Garden at Keystone Heritage Park, El Paso Ambassadors, Kids Discover El Paso, Independence House and Let Go, an incredible impact was made on many El Paso citizens. The Garden hosted the first annual "Sizzlin' Saturday Nights" Summer Series and celebrated the opening of the permanent restroom facilities. El Paso Ambassadors was instrumental in bringing a major employer to El Paso. Independence House saw a successful transition to the YWCA after many years of JLEP involvement. A Christmas Fair with a Western Flair was a great success this year with over 15, 000 people in attendance and over 190 vendor booths from all over the country. Bite of the Border, in its third year, moved to Biggs Field and offered twenty-six restaurants and tons of entertainment. The Junior League of El Paso Endowment Fund realized over a 60% increase since its inception in 2002. The JLEP was honored to assist AJLI in hosting the President Elect Training and Governance Conference in El Paso in February. After selling the unused land parcel behind Headquarters, the office received a newly paved parking lot and a new roof. After "Unleashing the Potential" through efforts within the organization and in the community, the JLEP demonstrated once again why they are the volunteer organization of choice. 2006-2007 Each and every year, the Junior League faces new challenges, but the beginning of 2006 brought more than the League could have ever anticipated when the theme for the year, "Step Up to the Challenge," was introduced! A massive flood struck the city in July leaving areas devastated, particularly on the west side of town. The League's Headquarters suffered minor damage, but many in the community were not as fortunate. Quick to jump to those in need, the Provisional Class tailored their project to help those that were affected by this force of Mother Nature and gradually, the area returned to normal. Five other exciting projects to better the community were also implemented, including a collaborative project to combat childhood obesity with other Junior Leagues across the country. The advancement of technology also made its way to the Junior League of El Paso with the release of a new, user-friendly, and interactive website. Now, everyone across the world can tune in and learn about the wonderful programs that the El Paso League has to offer! To cap off the year, a very successful Endowment Fund drive was launched, pushing the fund to over $123,000 and paving the way for a means of funding the League's community projects of the future. 2007-2008 Developing the perfect "Recipe for Success" was the goal and theme for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. After the three years of hard work, hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars, the Junior League of El Paso celebrated the grand opening of our newest signature project, the Junior League Field of Miracles. The Field will provide the opportunity for 18,900 children in the El Paso community with special needs the chance to play baseball, to make new friends and experience the thrill of being a member of a team! JLEP welcomed sixty incredible talented women into membership and their Provisional Project brought new life to the Insights Museum. Headquarters was transformed into a Metropolitan Lounge to celebrate JLEP?s 75th anniversary and over 250 guests were welcomed. As we celebrated 75 years of service, we continued to support our returning community projects including Cradled in Love, El Paso Ambassadors, El Paso Desert Botanical Garden, Music Therapy for the Elderly and Kids in the Kitchen. Two new projects, developing dreams and heart Healthy Athletes were also implemented in 2007-2008 focusing on youth issues in the community. The Finance Council, who "roll out the dough" for JLEP, had a record-breaking year with "A Christmas Fair", RDC, the Endowment Fund Development and Cookbook. JLEP revived an important part of our history with the release of the Original Seasoned with Sun. The Headquarters building was given a beautiful facelift. Meaningful trainings were conducted throughout the year and the league sent over a third of our members to conferences and workshops. In 2007-2008 the ever-changing demands on our lives was recognized, which laid the groundwork for amending our Bylaws and creating a new Strategic Plan that will guide us in the coming years. A conscious effort was made to keep our members happy; but most importantly, we worked together to impact, change and save lives in our community. 2008-2009 The 2008-2009 theme was "Shoot for the Stars" and what a successful "Star Studded" anniversary year it was!! A new committee was formed that began to archive JLEP?s rich history of women building better communities over the last 75 years. JLEP celebrated the 75th as well as the 35th anniversary of "A Christmas Fair". The special event honoring our anniversary year was celebrated with a revival of the Follies. "Deck the Halls with Stars and Follies" was performed at the historic Plaza Theatre. "Lights Camera A Christmas Fair" reported merchants and attendance in record numbers. Even with the economic down turn our fundraising efforts through ?A Christmas Fair?, Grants, RDC, Cookbook and community partners surpassed the year?s projected budget. The Junior League provided $130,000 to support eight diverse community projects. Developing Dreams that exposed youth to new horizons through photography; El Paso Ambassadors that built community pride through guided tours of our city; Field of Miracles continued to bring joy to special needs children through an organized sport; Harvest of Hope increased public awareness of hunger and helped increase food supplies in our local area?s food banks with food drives and a 5k walk run; Women Empowering Women mentored women through leadership training and taught ?dress for success? for low to moderate- income single mothers; Music Therapy of the Elderly enriched the lives of the elderly with vocal musical performances in area nursing homes; Kids in the Kitchen created a education program for elementary students to raise the awareness of childhood obesity and teach healthy nutrition, and provided funds for The El Paso Botanical Garden at Keystone Heritage Park with encourages environmental stewardship and provides a beautiful setting for events and visitors of all ages. Notable accomplishments include the hosting of AJLI West Texas Board and Ideas Exchange Conference; increasi