Philanthropy in Action: Junior Women of Initiative Program

Grant helps middle school girls build vital life skills necessary for future success.

The Boys and Girls Club of Collier County received a $7,500 grant for its Junior Women of Initiative (JWOI) project. The program assembles an array of experienced community women from the Women’s Foundation who share a common goal of seeking to inspire confidence, character and leadership in the next generation of at-risk girls.

DID YOU KNOW

  • Teen pregnancy, especially multiple births, to teens without a high school education is the highest predictor of future poverty.
  • There are 7,534 female-led households with children or 23% of a total of 32,882 households. This has impact on 10,843 children.
  • 2,522 or 26.3% of births in Collier County between 2012 – 2014 were to uninsured women. This is higher than the state at 7.1.
  • The number of births to mothers without a high school education between 2012 – 2014 was 1,713 or 17.9%. This is higher than state at 14.2.

How Women’s Foundation philanthropy is making a difference

The Women’s Foundation of Collier County also mentors young women in middle school at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. The Women’s Foundation has sponsored this program for ten years. The program, called Junior Women of Initiative (JWOI) assembles an array of experienced community women from the Women’s Foundation who share a common goal of seeking to inspire confidence, character and leadership in the next generation of at-risk girls.

The funding is used to help middle school girls build self-esteem, confidence and personal awareness while building vital life skills necessary for future success.  Thirty to forty women signed up as Mentors and dedicate time, experiences and knowledge to assist Mentees growth to become responsible, caring citizens.  Mentors commit to at least 5 sessions.

A decade later, the growth and impact of this program continues to inspire and connect women mentors with young women and has been significant and rewarding.

 

If you’d like to help make a difference in the lives of women and girls in Collier County, please consider a charitable gift to the Women’s Foundation of Collier County. To learn more about how you can help, please contact us.