The True Story of PBS’s “Mercy Street”

By: Hanna Laver, Historic Alexandria Docents Committee

You may have seen PBS's show “Mercy Street,” which is based on events that took place at historic Old Town Alexandria properties where JLW members volunteer. The success of the show, which just returned for its second season on January 22, has turned into a new exhibit at Carlyle House, “Who These Wounded Are: The Extraordinary Stories of the Mansion House Hospital,” and a new set of work for JLW volunteers.

The show depicts life at the Mansion House Hospital in Union-occupied Alexandria, which was located on Carlyle House property. The Mansion House Hotel was built in front of Carlyle House and was seized as a hospital by the Union Army during the Civil War. Carlyle House itself housed doctors and high-ranking Union officers. Most of the hotel/hospital was torn down in the 1970s, but the original section still stands with staff offices located in the basement.

In preparation for the show’s premiere last January, Carlyle House and other historic Alexandria properties added tie-in exhibits and special tours. Previously, guided tours of the house focused on its Colonial and Revolutionary history, but the museum added an exhibit about the “real” Mercy Street, Mansion House Hospital. Volunteer docents attended several training sessions to learn about the hospital, Civil War era medicine, the Green family (who lived in Carlyle House and owned the Mansion House Hotel), and life in Union-occupied Alexandria in order to add to their tours.

In the months since the new exhibit opened and “Mercy Street” premiered, visitation at Carlyle House has increased 75 percent. JLW volunteers help at the property throughout the year both giving tours and assisting during special events. Carlyle’s Historic Site Manager Susan Hellman says she cannot overestimate the value provided by JLW volunteers. “Our JLW docents are some of our best and every single JLW volunteer who helps at our events and programs is amazing. We always know that we will have someone reliable, smart, and willing to do whatever is needed for the success of the museum.”

Stop by and visit JLW volunteers at Carlyle House Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Don’t miss the exhibit “Who These Wounded Are: The Extraordinary Stories of the Mansion House Hospital,” which features an interpretation of period hospital rooms and doctor/officer housing, plus stories of nurse Mary Phinney (the main character in “Mercy Street”), through September 17, 2017. Learn more about Carlyle House’s role in “Mercy Street here.

Leadership Spotlight: Courtney Mesmer

1.   How long have you been in the League?

10 years

2.   Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

My first leadership role was actually my first active year. My mini placement during my new member year was on Tossed & Found and I loved it. I spoke with the rising chairs at the sale that year, as well as my advisor and told them both that I would love to have a larger role in the sale next year – not really knowing what that meant at the time. The next thing I knew, I was asked to be part of the Tossed & Found steering committee for the following year, serving as a [subcommittee] co-chair.

3.  Tell us about the other positions you’ve held and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in the JLW.

I actually stayed with Tossed & Found for two more years following my year as admin co-chair. The following year, I was asked to be rising chair and then chaired the sale in 2010-2011. After the sale, I stayed on the Ways and Means Council but moved over to Special Events (now the Marketplace Committee), where I was on their steering committee for two years. From there, I went to Nominating and then over to the Membership Development Council, where I’ve been for the past three years; my first year on the council, I was assistant council director and have served as Council Director for the past two years.  

4.  Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

There has been many! One piece of advice that was given to me when I was starting out in JLW leadership that has really stuck with me over the years was, “the wedding is only as fun as the bride.” So whether you are in a chair, rising chair, steering member, or leading special project within a committee remember your attitude and energy reflects onto others. As a leader, you should be enthusiastic and positive about your role and be committed to delivering your best. This enthusiasm and commitment will rub off on others.

5.    What is the number one piece of advice you would give a JLW woman who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year?

If you are interested in taking on a leadership role next year, determine what roles you might be interested in and reach out to either the woman currently in the position or the assistant council director or council director of the position. Get their perspective on the position and what skills are needed to be a successful leader in the role. Then either self-nominate or get a friend to nominate you for the position. 

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted (link to nominating form). Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Leadership Spotlight: Tara Andersen

1.  How long have you been in the League?

Five years

2.  Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

I’ve always had a willing-to-serve approach to taking on new opportunities. My first foray into leadership was as rising chair, and then chair, of the Magazine Committee – which was still called Member Communications during my rising year. A friend of mine, who had been in League leadership for a few years and was actually also my committee chair during my first active year, discussed the possibilities of future leadership with me, and it was something I was definitely interested in pursuing. Knowing a bit about the type of work I am in professionally, she nominated me for a role on the Communications Council. I really enjoyed my time on the Magazine Committee because I was able to grow as a leader and learn about so many different facets of the League, while also putting my professional skills to use for an organization I care about!  

3.  Tell us about the other positions you’ve held and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in the JLW.

Being a rising chair and chair on Magazine was a two-year commitment. After I completed my year as Magazine chair, I joined the Community Affairs Council as an assistant council director (ACD). This is the role I currently hold. It’s been fascinating to learn more about some of the League’s critical community efforts while working with others in JLW leadership, including chairs on our council, my council director, and other ACDs across the League. 

4.  Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

Some of the most valuable training that the League has provided me over the last few years is how to work with people who have styles that are very different from my own. This has helped me both as a JLW leader and in my career as well.

5.  What is the number one piece of advice you would give a JLW woman who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year?

Talk to your chair more about leadership and what it involves, self-nominate, and be open to opportunities outside of your comfort zone. You may not feel 100% equipped right when you say yes, but the League prepares you well. And you’ll develop new skills and an even better understanding of all the great work JLW does to develop the potential of women and to improve our community!

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted (link to nominating form). Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Leadership Spotlight: Brooke Horiuchi

1.   How long have you been in the Junior League of Washington (JLW)?

My new member year was 2004 to 2005, so about 12 years in the League.

2.   Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

Margaret Barry and Erinn Gray asked me to join their Steering Committee as a staffing vice chair on Holiday Shops Committee. I did not self-nominate for this position; however, I was a very active secondary placement and had expressed my interest in leadership, so they offered me the position. As it was a co-chair position, it allowed me to take on leadership with a friend. Plus, it was on a steering committee, so it provided me an opportunity to learn what the other subcommittees do and how they all worked together for Holiday Shops. On staffing, I learned about Digital Cheetah, communication with volunteers, and working with a subcommittee.

3.   Tell us about the other positions you’ve held and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in JLW.

After my staffing vice chair role, I self-nominated to be Holiday Shops rising co-chair with Kimberly Linson. As Holiday Shops Committee chairs, it was important for us to ensure that our committee members had the needed skills and felt that they were a valued part of the event. I also learned valuable League skills and processes such as other modules in Digital Cheetah, budgeting, and the external communications review and approval process.

I used these skills when I was asked to be Web and Tech Committee chair. Being chair of Web and Tech allowed me to learn about the breadth of the League's activities while further working on project and time management and delegation. Then I self-nominated and was slated to be Archives chair. Pam Traxel, as Secretary that year, gave me a great piece of advice about focusing on one or two projects to drive to completion in a year.

I was Communications and PR Council Director, and then Vice Treasurer and Treasurer. These positions introduced me to board service and the focus on governance.

4.   Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

This is a doozy and I have typed and deleted my answer multiple times. As a leader, setting clear expectations and ground rules for volunteers makes having difficult conversations easier. As we are a volunteer organization, understanding that life gets in the way of things and being flexible in ways to fulfill requirements is also key.

5.   What is the number one piece of advice you would give a JLW woman who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year? 

Please self-nominate and provide your experience, skill sets, and core competencies to help Nominating Committee in slating positions. Definitely feel free to reach out to the Nominating Committee, if you have any questions or to express interest.

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted (link to nominating form). Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

A Day in the Life of a Community Placement Volunteer: Literacy Lab

By: Lauren Niles, Literacy Lab Committee Chair

Every Wednesday, women from the Literacy Lab Committee meet at the DC General Shelter. When they arrive at the shelter, which used to be a city-run hospital, the residents are eating dinner. As they gather the supplies and set up the room, everything is relatively quiet and calm. But that changes in the blink of an eye, when dinner wraps up and the halls and the room used for the Ready-to-Read program fill with sounds of excited squeals, sneakers squeaking, and laughter;  both the children and the volunteers look forward to a high-energy night of sharing, reading, and playing together.

The goal of the Literacy Lab Ready-to-Read program is to provide low-income children experiencing homelessness with individualized reading instruction to improve their literacy skills, leading to greater success in school and increased opportunities in life. Each week, volunteers in the Literacy Lab placement spend one-on-one time with children ages three through eight. While the focus of the placement is on literacy, more than anything, the time spent with these children having shared positive interactions is the most valuable part of the program. The majority of the women in the Literacy Lab placement come back year after year, and have long-standing relationships with many of the children in the shelter. The Literacy Lab Committee looks forward to continuing this partnership and program for many years to come, and truly believes that this program is making an impact on our community.

Leadership Spotlight: Amanda Walke

1.     How long have you been in the Junior League of Washington (JLW)?

I joined in 2003, so this is my 14th year in the League.

2.     Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

When I was in my early years of membership, Esprit had a large following for our monthly happy hour, and began partnering with our community placements and fundraising committees to collect financial donations and goods at the happy hours. The chair asked for volunteers to reach out to the Community Placement Council (CPC) chairs to coordinate the events, and looked for volunteers to lead the effort. I volunteered and stepped into what was then a small leadership role, as a vice co-chair of that subcommittee. It allowed me to make connections and meet members from other parts of JLW, as well as learn more about JLW and our volunteer opportunities.

3.     Tell us about the other positions you’ve had and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in JLW.

I moved on in JLW leadership to serve on the Nominating Committee, as Transfer chair, then as an assistant council director for a couple of years on Membership Development, before being asked to serve on the JLW Board of Directors. 

4.     Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

In my first year on the board as New Membership Council Director, I found I had a lot to learn about much of JLW, especially when it came to the grant and budget process. I came from the membership councils, and hadn't experienced the "inner workings" of the League yet. I learned to listen and learn at the board while topics were being discussed, but learned the most from sitting on Finance Council. I found that I learned the most from sitting in those discussions and working on the budget. You see what all of the Councils are doing and what resources are needed. That extra meeting a month helped me get up to speed and take a more active role as a new board member. 

5.      What is the number one piece of advice you would give another woman in the League who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year? 

Take advantage of the small leadership opportunities to gain experience and knowledge. Also, you may be asked to serve in a role you weren't expecting, but it could end up being a great fit, so be open to try new things.

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted. Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Leadership Spotlight: Deena Smith

1.   How long have you been in the League?

This is my fifth Active year. My Provisional year was 2011-2012.

2.   Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

During the summer of 2015, I saw there was a vacancy listed in League Lines for a Community Outreach chair. I looked up the committee description and decided to throw my hat in the ring. I self-nominated to fill a late vacancy, and have been immersed in Community Outreach ever since!

3.   Tell us about the other positions you’ve had and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in JLW.

This is my second term as Community Outreach chair. It’s still a learning process, because each year the committee members bring different strengths, ideas, and expertise. It’s really interesting having a different group of women tackle the same issues we had last year – but seeing the results come together in a very different way. Sometimes I’m a leader; in providing directions, offering guidance and helping steer us away from pitfalls. Most times, I’m a teammate – pitching in where needed and working to smooth the path and not reinvent the wheel. In addition to dealing with the day-to-day work of the committee, I’m excited to learn more about how my Council works and to work to strengthen my committee’s relationship with other groups within the League.

4.   Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

I am very grateful that I was exposed to the inner workings of a committee with many moving parts before I was assigned my own to lead. While I was on Literacy Events Planning (LEP), Nancy Peele suggested I serve LEP and the National Book Festival the following year in a very specific role. While completing my assigned task, I was positioned to observe everything that went into planning, executing, communicating, and problem solving with such an active committee. Important takeaways include being accessible (by email, phone, or text) because things change and people always have questions; and the necessity of planning down to the details while being nimble enough to edit those plans while executing them. Working with the League reminds me that every role is important, everyone’s contribution is valuable, and our common goal is to make sure the people we serve receive the services they need. 

5.   What is the number one piece of advice you would give another woman in the League who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year?

Be open, be flexible, and self-nominate. Speak to the women you’d like to work with. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get your hands dirty. 

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted. Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Berg

1.   How long have you been in the Junior League of Washington (JLW)?

This is my sixth Active year.

2.    Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

When I joined [the Junior League of Washington], my mini-placement was on Finance Council, which I thoroughly loved because I was able to understand how the League worked operationally. It’s important to follow the money in any organization. That said, my passion for community involvement led me to Horton’s Kids, where I tutored on Capitol Hill. The community partnership is strong and I was drawn to the great management of the committee chair. Not only was she organized, engaged, and enthusiastic, but she was actively grooming the next leader. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about growth and there are many opportunities to thrive in the League. Regarding community partners, it’s important to have personal experience with the partnership before actively leading it; therefore, I later became vice chair and chair of the committee.

It is SO important to self-nominate! Talk to other leaders to get a realistic perspective on the role and other obligations and ask for friends to nominate you. Initially, I had to get over the “embarrassment of the ask” but this is the only helpful indicator of interest to the Nominating Committee!

3.   Tell us about the other positions you’ve had and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in JLW.

After being Horton’s Kids Committee chair, I had the opportunity to be an assistant council director, which enabled me to understand how other community partners work. It also gave me a vantage point to work across other councils while managing League-wide mandates. Currently, as Council Director for Youth and Family Community partnerships, I have the chance to lead tactically and strategically. You make many friends, and it is a lot of fun!

The League excels at developing the potential of women, not only because it is organized and offers mentorship opportunities, but it encourages growth. Taking on a new role is an invitation to the unknown; it is mutually exciting and scary but so worth it. It is a privilege to work with such talented women, children, and community partners who are making a huge impact in the lives of our DC community.

4.  Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

I tutored a strong-willed, young girl for a few years who challenged authority in every way. I fondly remember one of her blow-out temper tantrums in front of a congressman I knew, on the floor of Rayburn House Office Building. Leading can take many forms. Despite many tear-stained drives home, this girl showed me the power of determined commitment. The presence of consistently showing up speaks volumes. It gives worth and encouragement and it makes an impact. I could see it in the eyes of this young girl week in and week out.

Part of leadership is about living out the “Golden Rule” (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you). As I serve the League, our volunteers, and the little boy I now tutor on Saturday mornings, I recognize that the best leadership rests on showing up and leading by example. Are you willing to show up? 

5.   What is the number one piece of advice you would give a JLW woman who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year? 

Just do it. Show up. Have Fun! The rewards are innumerable. 

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted. Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Leadership Spotlight: Elizabeth Fair

1.   How long have you been in the Junior League of Washington (JLW)?

Seven years.

2.    Tell us a bit about your first JLW leadership experience. What inspired you to lead?

My first experience in leadership was on the Community Events Planning Committee (now Literacy Events Planning Committee), where I raised my hand to be the Area Manager of the book-signing lines. This was my first step into a leadership role on a committee, and this helped to make me feel like I was doing more with my volunteer time with the League. I was able to get this role by reaching out to the committee chair and simply saying I was willing to help out wherever needed.

3.    Tell us about the other positions you’ve held and what you’ve experienced through the process of developing your leadership in JLW.

After my experience with Literacy Events Planning Committee, I began to actively express my interest in future leadership opportunities to the chairs of other committees I served on, as well as with other members who had already begun to hold leadership roles within the League. The following year, I self-nominated to be a New Member Committee (NMC) rising chair and was selected to serve as the vice chair for advisors on the NMC Steering Committee (which I did not have to go through the nominating process for). At first, I was not picked to be the rising chair, so I went about my work on steering and continued to attend League events and get to know other leaders across the League. Through some unforeseen circumstances, I was able to self-nominate mid-year to fill the NMC Rising Chair duties for the 2016-2017 League year and was selected!

4.  Share an example of how your leadership skills have grown or evolved as a JLW leader.

I am very introverted, so having a leadership role within the League, where one often speaks in front of 100-plus people, is a continual challenge for me. By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I have been able to develop more confidence in myself and in my abilities. Having a leadership role has really helped me to see all of the things I can accomplish when I allow myself to be put in those uncomfortable situations.

5.   What is the number one piece of advice you would give a JLW woman who is considering a leadership role for the 2017-2018 year? 

Self-nominate! You never know where your talents can be used within the League and self-nomination is a great way to show you’re interested in serving. Even if you are not selected the first time, go to your committee chair and ask where you can help your committee out. A willingness to go above and beyond what is required on your committee will get noticed and help create a path towards future leadership opportunities!

Are you or someone you know interested in JLW leadership? Nominations for assistant council director and committee chair and rising chair positions and willing-to-serve forms are now being accepted. Be sure to nominate or self-nominate by February 1, 2017! If you have any questions about the nominating process, contact Brooke Horiuchi. Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions. Find the Nominating form here.

Nominating the Next JLW Leaders

It’s that time of year again! The Junior League of Washington’s Nominating Committee needs to slate 100 leadership positions, and they can’t do it alone. Nominating needs the help of the entire League to bring rising stars and great leaders to their attention.

Leadership comes in many forms in the League. Remember, there is a wide range of options and no prescribed leadership path, so keep an open mind, try new committees and encourage others in the League to do the same.

You can nominate yourself or others with leadership potential. Browse the Committee Chair positions and take note of the prerequisites and descriptions of each.

Are you not sure which role you would like to fill but are still interested in leading? Let the Nominating Committee know that you are “willing to serve” by filling out the general interest form. Assistant Council Director (ACD) and committee-level position nominations are due February 1, 2017. If you’re having trouble deciding or need advice, reach out to the current Council Director, Committee Chair or other League leaders for input. As a League, we want to ensure that the best leader is placed in the best possible position, and the current leaders are happy to answer any questions you may have!

Be sure to look out for our Leadership Spotlight Series all month to learn about the experience of being a JLW leader! #JLWLeadershipSpotlight

Here are links that provide the 2017-2018 Chair descriptions and  ACD descriptions.

Find the Nominating form here.

Finance Council Starter-Kit: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and HOW?

By: Audrey Henson, Financial Planning and Education chair

One of the greatest strengths of the Junior League of Washington (JLW) is we provide a community for all of our members. We build our community through different League committee placements that follow members all stages of her life. Some committees are focused on community outreach and voluntarism while others are more socially focused and connect JLW members with other members. While these committees differ in their purposes, they all require an operating budget. This is where the Finance Council connects the dots.

My 2017 goal is to educate fellow League members on the intricacies of Finance Council. Throughout the year, I will be writing several blog post regarding Finance Council, our dues, and the financial health of the League.

What is JLW Finance Council?

Finance Council (FC) is an in-League committee that oversees and manages the League’s budget and each committee’s budget. JLW has 45 separate committees falling under three primary categories: Community, In-League, and Fundraising. FC manages and approves over 45 separate budgets, and also manages the JLW’s financial investments (but more on that later). All decisions made by the FC are presented and approved by the JLW Board of Directors. 

Who is on the Finance Council?

FC is unique in the sense that many of our members serve dual roles in our League. The make-up and leadership of our Council are also chairs of their own committees. For example, the FC committee chair, Erinn Colaianni, is also the Treasurer of JLW at large. Frazier Schulman, Vice Chair of FC, is also Vice Treasurer of JLW.  Other members include President-Elect Aimee Soller, JLW Secretary Tracey Van Riper, Financial Planning and Education chair Audrey Henson, as well as various committee chairs.

You may be wondering “how do I get a ticket to this party?” If you are a dues-paying member of JLW, you are invited to the JLW FC meetings. In the spirit of transparency, we encourage members to stay involved with the financial on-goings of the League and to voice their opinions. We meet every third Monday of the month in the Loughborough House.*

*Please check the JLW calendar as the dates may be amended depending on Holidays.

How does it work?

Each year, committee chairs create a proposed budget for the following year. FC reviews and approves the budgets then combines each budget to present to the Board of Directors.  Throughout the year, there are times when chairs identify varying finance needs that may not have been budgeted or differ from the budget amount. When this occurs, chairs file a fund movement requests to FC and come before the council to further explain their request. These request are then reviewed and discussed to ensure that we are making the wisest finance decisions while ensuring our mission, vision, and strategic plan are always at the forefront of our decisions.

If I have my budget, why do I need to come before FC?

Unlike the federal government, our League operates on a “net-zero budgeting” philosophy. While this can be a challenge, it ensures the financial stability of the League and keeps us out of debt. Simple enough, right? Well, the tricky part of budgeting is that all line-items must be approved and not just the total amount. This means that while you may have an approved total budget, if you wish to move money around in your budget, it needs to be brought before FC through a fund movement request.

For example: Let’s say your committee has a $1,000 budget and you’ve line-itemed $500 for stationery and $500 for books. Your vice chair has received an in-kind donation for the stationery, and your committee no longer needs the $500 for that cost. GREAT job, vice chair!

Now your committee has a remaining $500 to work with. In the spirit of the League, your committee decides they would like to use the funds to purchase more books for Washingtonians! While your committee has stayed within their budget, they must get new line-item approved by amending the budget.

Pro-tips for your first FC meeting

Make the “Blue Book” your best friend. If you’ve been in the League for a while, you’ve heard of the Blue Book, but have you taken the time to read it? I joined Finance Council after just one year as an active member. Coming from Holiday Shops, I wasn’t as familiar with the Blue Book but I could name every florist in town. After my first FC meeting, it was very apparent I needed to familiarize myself with this Blue Book. For those of you who find yourselves in my shoes, the Blue Book is essentially the JLW Bible. You will find it on your JLW Portal under Resources. Inside you will find general information about the League, bylaws, rules and procedures, among other important documents.  When FC is making decisions, we also make sure we are aligned with the Blue Book.

Day In the Life – Horton’s Kids

By Sarah Bookwalter, Horton’s Kids Committee member

This is my sixth year volunteering with Horton’s Kids and I can’t imagine working on another committee. Horton’s Kids is a community-based organization that serves 500 children, grades K through 12, living in an isolated neighborhood in Washington, DC’s Ward 8. Horton’s Kids children face numerous challenges. They live in one of the most at-risk communities in Washington, Wellington Park, which has one of the highest violent crime rates in the city. Only 19% of adults have a high school diploma, and only 15% of elementary students read at grade level.

In response to these needs, Horton’s Kids provides a comprehensive model of support with the goal of seeing every child graduate from high school ready for college, career, and life. The Junior League of Washington (JLW) plays an important role working with Horton’s Kids children regularly through tutoring and weekend field trips.

Members of the Horton’s Kids Committee are provided with a variety of volunteer opportunities, in addition to three holiday parties, which are organized, planned, and executed by committee members. Members of the committee may volunteer at weekday tutoring on Monday or Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. as well as attended a variety of field trips as chaperones.  At tutoring, the volunteers work with Horton’s Kids student to ensure homework gets an “A” grade and improve their literacy skills through games, creative writing, and general reading. 

At field trips ranging from hay rides at Cox Farms to making healthy choices at JLW’s own Kids in the Kitchen health fair, the members serve as chaperones and safety nets of encouragement to foster growth and development, assisting in the generation of opportunities that traditionally the children of Wellington Park would usually miss. 

Whether the Horton’s Kids Committee members are passing out turkeys, painting children’s faces, or just taking a child’s hand to guide them through the halls of the Rayburn House Building to tutoring every interaction is an opportunity to make a positive difference in an at-risk child’s life right in our own Washington, DC community.

In December, we showed you our Horton’s Kids holiday party. Another highlight is our annual Halloween party, which is one of my favorite activities for the year! For these special holiday/themed events, we arrive early to set up the Caucus Room – a historic room built to impress with chandeliers, gilded moldings and Corinthian pilasters. Most often used for hosting luncheons, receptions, and committee meetings, JLW transforms this grand space into a festive atmosphere for the Horton’s Kids to be safe, have fun and of course – stock up on sweet treats!

The children arrive to the party in style – sprinting from the bus through the underground halls and tunnels of the historic buildings home to Members of Congress – to decorate crafts.. While we always encourage a bit of healthy eating – there’s never a shortage of goodies. The energy level is spirited throughout the afternoon, and as the kids line up to head back to their buses, you can hear the cheer in each of their voices.

While much of the support we provide to Horton’s Kids is geared to supporting learning and education, the holiday parties JLW helps to throw gives these kids an opportunity to experience something new and a chance to enjoy their childhood.