The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties wants to make a difference in the lives of young girls around our community. Our program, Strong Girls, Bright Futures is committed to empowering young women by building confidence to make positive decisions through a focus on leadership, personal development and voluntarism.

• We want to show girls how to be intelligent, strong, confident, creative, unique, and accomplished. We want them to feel secure, make positive choices, and think critically about the world around them.
• We strive to be positive role models for young girls through our actions and support organizations that teach girls to be empowered and make positive contributions to their communities.

Our annual 2019-2020 Strong Girls, Bright Futures Workshop for middle school girls will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Lawrenceville Boys & Girls Club. The workshop is currently full and applications are no longer being accepted. If you are interested in joining the waitlist, please email stronggirls@jlgnf.org

Please join us Sunday, October 20, from 2-4 p.m. at Kendra Scott Avalon in Alpharetta for a bubbles, bites and bling! 20% of the event proceeds will benefit JLGNF.

MARCH 22, 2020 ~ 1:00–4:00 P.M.

Kick off spring in style with JLGNF’s signature fundraising event! This year’s event will once again be held at the prestigious Standard Club in Johns Creek. Join us for brunch, shopping, a silent auction, a keynote speaker and much more!

Hats are highly encouraged and welcomed – there will even be a contest for the best, biggest, smallest, and most unique hat!

We would LOVE for all Members to sell 2 tickets to support JLGNF. Tickets are $35.00 each and go on sale soon. All proceeds will support JLGNF’s Strong Girls, Bright Futures Program and other League initiatives.

HHHT is sure to be unforgettable! Save the date NOW and tell a friend…or two!! We look forward to seeing you on March 22. Additional information will be forthcoming soon.

Happy Fall JLGNF Members!

I am looking forward to our October General Membership Meeting (GMM) which will be held at community partner Junior Achievement’s Discovery Center at Gwinnett on Tuesday, October 8! This month’s ALL IN focus is to be INSPIRED by advocacy on behalf of women and children in our service area.

Part of the October GMM will feature a panel of local legislators who will highlight recent and upcoming legislation on issues that are important to residents in Gwinnett, North Fulton, and South Forsyth Counties. Advocacy is one way that we can extend our reach beyond direct service and support with community partners to create lasting change in the community. I hope that Members will take the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and begin a dialogue related to these important issues. Georgia SPAC (State Public Affairs Committee) Capitol Day is coming up in February 2020 (exact date TBD) and will be a great opportunity to learn even more and interact with legislators on important issues. Come to the October GMM to gain inspiration for your journey as a community advocate!

Let’s empower young women by ensuring that they have dignity and confidence when menstruating. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury in financially-challenged households. Young girls often have to resort to unsanitary and ineffective alternatives. Let’s be a League that sustains an initiative to maintain a pantry of quality products for distribution throughout the community. It is as simple as going to Amazon Smile and purchasing from our Amazon Wish List by clicking this link and placing an order. All products will ship to Susan Longmire, Co-Chair of the Impact Committee and regular updates will be sent to Members to advise how we are making a difference! Let’s be “All In!”

The Impact Committee is “All In” this League year! We’ve been actively working to create opportunities for our Members to help fulfill part of our Mission – promote voluntarism!

• Hats off to 100% attendance at our last committee meeting – thank you for your commitment!
• The Strong Girls, Bright Futures “Choose to Be Me” workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Boys and Girls Club in Lawrenceville. We need everyone in the League to help recruit young girls for this amazing day-long experience. More to come at the next General Membership Meeting!
• Be sure to check Digital Cheetah for fun, impactful ways to support Rainbow Village in October, November and December! They value our partnership!
• We are looking for community partner opportunities in North Fulton County. Member suggestions are valued and needed!

Warmest welcome to our New Member Class!

The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages, by Susan Longmire

As I was lounging around my pool this Labor Day weekend, engrossed in a book while taking a few sips, my husband brings me an Amazon package and declares “Happy Birthday!” Confused, I give him that look – you all know, like what?!

He is already aware that many Amazon packages show up on our doorstep – mostly for me, of course, and assuming I had ordered another amazing piece of Loren Hope jewelry, he figured he could claim that as his present to me for my birthday next April.

He watched as I opened the box. We both were totally surprised to see what was inside.

It took a minute to register and then I realized, it was the FIRST donation for this years’ JLGNF’s Period Pack Pantry – a box of Tampax.

The look on my husband’s face got me giggling out of control. I told him about our initiative and his first question was, “is all that STUFF going to come here?”

Being the great (and very patient, married to me and all) guy he is, he assured me that future packages would be routinely brought to the designated space in our house. Looks like this is a win-win for me – supporting for JLGNF’s Period Pack Pantry and covering up for my own personal Amazon deliveries!

You too can send donations for JLGNF’s Period Pack Pantry by using this link.

On Thursday, August 22, Junior Achievement of Georgia hosted a breakfast and awards presentation for community partners and volunteers to honor the collective service to the Junior Achievement Discovery Center in Lawrenceville. A’donna Garrett and Susan Longmire attended on behalf of JLGNF.

Over the last year more than 15,000 volunteers accomplished 3,000,000 contact hours and served 176,000 students (wow!).

Those at the breakfast were honored for such things as for being part of the JA 100 Club (over 100 volunteers in a year), receiving the Rising Star Award (for highest growth of service year over year) or the Impact Award (superstars in supporting JA) reminding us that we can all be superstars of service in our own right. The life lessons our young people learn through JA Biztown and JA Finance Park are such an integral part of their future success.

It was impressive to see the number of corporations, educational institutes and other non-profits that clearly align with our community. This year Junior Achievement celebrates its 100th anniversary and JA of Georgia celebrates its 70^th!

Though JLGNF is small, we are mighty! Please make an IMPACT this League year by giving your talents, skills and time next spring by volunteering at the Junior Achievement Discovery Center.

The IMPACT Committee is eager to start impacting our community in a meaningful way for the 2019-2020 League year! We have various volunteer opportunities that will be upcoming for each of our members to participate. We are counting on your support in these endeavors. Our community partners are excited to have us on board to roll up our sleeves and come together to help improve our community!

• September 2019-May 2020: Period Pack Pantry
•  October 25 & 26, 2019: Gwinnett Great Days of Service
• October 30, 2019: Rainbow Village Fall Festival
• November 2, 2019: Girls on the Run North 5K Run
• November 16, 2019: Strong Girls Bright Future Workshop
• November 21, 2019: Rainbow Village Thanksgiving Festival
• December 6, 2019: Rainbow Village Holiday Party and Pop-up Shop
• March 20, 23 & 24, 2020: Junior Achievement-Discovery

We hope to see YOU at these exciting volunteering opportunities. Together we can make a change!