Submitted by Lynsey Zimdahl

The Junior League of Buffalo, Inc. defines itself as "an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable."

Additionally, The Junior League of Buffalo states as its focus Families at Risk.  It is from this focus area that all work grows.  As an organization striving to improve everyday life, steps have been takeen to both increase impact in the community and to streamline volunteer efforts.

LifeCoach is a program under the guidance of the Junior League of Buffalo and its community partners that matches single mothers with personal life coaches.  These personal life coaches will become mentors guiding the mothers through important tasks from preparing healthy meal plans to developing leadership skills.  The objective is to target women at high risk of poverty and associated risks, such as poor health and low education levels.  LifeCoach provides an opportunity to single mothers who might otherwise not receive the opportunity to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

Female heads of households living in poverty face tremendous hurdles and are the face of poverty in Western New York.  Two-thirds of families living in poverty in Western New York are headed by a single female.  Many of these women and their families face health, education, and self-esteem obstacles.  By working to improve their economic situation, opportunities are created for tremendous growth and for a reduction in possibility of generational poverty.

Consider Buddying Up to Change a Woman's Life!

A FEW GOOD WOMEN are needed to buddy up with a fellow Junior League member to sign-up now to be a LifeCoach Mentor.  You and a fellow League member can share the experience of making an impact on the life a woman in need from the community.  The commitment is one Saturday a month for only two hours each session.  This is only 16 hours a year and a chance to get to know women who want to make a life changing impact for someone else and for themselves.

• A mentor can help jumpstart a career by teaching someone how to dress for a job interview and make fashion fun on a budget.
• A mentor can change a home life by teaching someone how to shop for fresh ingredients and cook healthy meals for a family.
• A mentor can bring positive life goals to someone and give them confidence and support needed to reach these goals.
• A mentor will be challenged and will learn just as many skills as the women they are inspiring will.
• A mentor will positively affect a single mother and in turn positively affect the future lives of that mother's children. 

The members of the Junior League of Buffalo committed to this new project and voted to make a real impact for single female heads of household living in poverty in Western New York.  In order to maintain the Junior Leagues's tradition of and reputation for follow through, a minimum of 10 members are needed to step up. Sustainers, Actives, and Provisionals are all welcomed... 

Training begins on Thursday, September 22 at 6 pm at the Northwest Community Center and is brought to you by Compeer.  Join with a friend or allow a partner to be found for you. Contact Sarah Snyder at 716.817.7269 or visit  http://www.jlbuffalo.org/community/project-information/ for more information.

Submitted by Lynsey Zimdahl

The many ways you can give your time and talents to the Western New York community!

The Community Council members have been hard at work developing plans for the upcoming year and integrating their efforts to make a lasting impression for the focus area FAMILIES AT RISK.  New this year, every member will be required to complete a minimum of two hours of volunteer work that directly relates to the community impact issue of "Single Female Heads of Household Living in Poverty."  You can also be the catalyst for change in these women's lives by simply making a connection to those that have experience with this impact issue.  Imagine the results when hundreds of women come together with a goal to leave a lasting legacy for single women struggling to care for their families and themselves.  

All Actives, Sustainers, and Provisionals are encouraged to help make positive change by working at least two hours in one of the following areas:

Community Impact Project

• LifeCoach Mentor:  Buddy up with a friend to teach life changing skills
• Childcare Coordinators:  Help create activities for kids while their mother's receive vital training
• Site & Program Coordinators:  Set-up each session and make sure all materials are ready

Community Research & Development

• Committee Members:  Research potential new community partners making an impact for families at risk; evaluate existing partnerships and make recommendations for the future of the program based on existing needs in the community

Community Impact Public Policy

• Committee Members:  Work side by side with the Community Research and Development team to find ways to advocate to our lobby policy makers on behalf of single mothers and their families and research the needs of our focus area

Roundtables

• Committee Members:  Develop two to three workshops that relate to our community impact project that would be appealing to the general public and our membership by highlighting efforts of our community members on families at risk issues.

• Speakers Needed:  If you have expertise in areas chosen by roundtable workshops, or know someone already involved in the area, help out by making an introduction  

Do It In A Day

• LifeCoach:  Offer to do a mock interview at one session; collect work suits from your co-workers to donate to our mentees, or canned goods for families to learn about healthy cooking; assist the committee members with set-up for a session, or spend a session in the kids' area.

 

• Adopt a Family:  Take the lead and collect school, home, and gift materials for one mentee throughout the year and make her family's lives a little easier and full of surprises.

 

• Roundtables:  Are you an expert?  Volunteer as one of the speakers or help to encourage community members to attend these worthwhile workshops by assisting with publicity.

As the year continues, more and more ways to help will be revealed.  It is all up to YOU...  Our success rests with the level of commitment the JLB has to makeing an impact for other woman in Western New York.  Contact Community Council members today to learn more.  To see a full list of Communtity Council leadership, visit http://www.jlbuffalo.org/community/project-information/.

The first Dine Around will be held at Daniel's on October 5, 2011.  Dutch treat cocktails will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.  The cost of this prix fixe meal is $36 and includes a choice of one of five appetizers, five entrees, and five desserts, tax, gratuity, and a glass of house red or white wine.  Coffee, tea, and soda are not included and must be purchased separately.   

Please R.S.V.P. by September 30th to Jayne Carter Farkas or to Maria Mozzetti-Stock at 832-2329.  Please plan to join us for this spectacular event!

The ever-popular Sustainer Book Club is having its first shared-cost dinner meeting at the home of Barbara Bielecki of 308 Rivermist, on Wednesday, September 14 at 6 pm.The book to be discussed is The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.  To RSVP or to learn more about Book Club, please contact either Barbara Bukowski or Rosemary Zobel.  New members are always welcomed.   

The schedule for the remainder of the year includes...

October - My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme (Anne Leary, hostess) 

November/December - The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck (Mary Beth Orsolits, hostess) 

January - Movie TBA

February - Mennonite in the Little Black Dress by Rdoda Janzen (Hostess, TBA)

March - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese (Marsha Gresens, hostess) 

April/May - Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (Joan Taggert, hostess)

Junior League in the News        

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