Our New Partnership with A Wider Circle

The Targeted Grants & Volunteer Resources Committee is proud to announce its new partnership with A Wider Circle. This organization demonstrates how two groups can come together to combat poverty by helping others gain successful employment.

Dr. Mark Bergel founded A Wider Circle in 2001 with the mission of helping families lift themselves out of poverty. In May 2015, the organization purchased a 38,000 sq. ft. center in Silver Spring, Md., and now has more than 50 staff members, 15 interns and more than 15,000 volunteers every year.

A Wider Circle has a multi-pronged approach to helping individuals find a job. One main focus is a Job Skills Boot Camp that involves resume writing, interview skills, career path identification and job advancement. Individuals are also provided a personal job coach and access to computers to research jobs and write resumes.

A Wider Circle also works hard to prepare individuals for job interviews by providing the appropriate attire. Their showroom has been deemed “better than Bloomingdales and nicer than Nordstrom.” A Wider Circle promises to help anyone in need of professional attire regardless if they are enrolled in the program.

JLW is excited to partner with this incredible organization and to give members a variety of ways in which to volunteer. Committee members will be able to become job coaches and work with clients directly on a weekly basis; work in the showroom as a personal shopper to help individuals develop a professional wardrobe; and host workshops and trainings.

By partnering with A Wider Circle, JLW’s talented and generous members will be able to greatly impact many lives and continue the mission Dr. Bergel began more 15 years ago.

Please contact TGVR Chair, Nancy Margaret Ray Adler at nmradler@yahoo.com for more information.

Horton’s Kids Season Finale Easter Celebration

Horton’s Kids is a community-based organization committed to serving children living in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8. Its mission is to enrich the children as well as prepare them for success through educational and comprehensive programs. With the volunteerism of JLW, Horton’s Kids is able to provide a well-rounded service of support to aid children in development.

The Horton’s Kids Committee met prior to the Easter Party to plan, organize, and sign up for activities. On March 20, committee members arrived at the Cannon House Office Building to setup for the occasion, and the room was filled with festive décor as the kids excitedly arrived, hopping off the buses at the Cannon House Building at 1 p.m. to get the party started!

A healthy lunch was provided then off to the activities! The party consisted of a host of fun activities such as face painting, Easter decoration stations with painting and coloring, cookie and treat decoration, Easter themed games, an egg hunt and furry surprises! This event allows the children to partake in fun, playful celebrations in a safe and supervised environment.

After the enjoyment of games, laughter, socializing and treat eating, the kids were escorted back to the buses by the volunteers. The bus will take the kids back to their community center where they were met by parents to show off their bags full of yummy treats and handmade arts! The kids are left with great memories, positive relationships and mentors to look up to. With events like these, kids have something special to look forward to for years to come.

Done in a Day Promotes Literacy at Everybody Wins! Annual Event

On Tuesday, March 8, Done in a Day Committee volunteers promoted the Junior League of Washington’s mission of promoting literacy by serving at the Everybody Wins! annual gala held at the Capitol Hilton.

With a silent auction featuring flights, private tours, dinner with authors, signed sports memorabilia, spa gift cards and other prizes, not to mention a great dinner, everybody truly did win. But the biggest winners of the evening were the thousands of children who will receive mentoring and literacy help through this important organization. JLW was honored to be part of the special evening.

The dinner featured performances and speeches from students who have positively benefited from Everybody Wins!, along with local principals. More than 60,000 local students have been served through the program.

JLW members assisted with registration, helped with the silent auction, served as ushers and aided with clean-up. One Everybody Wins! leader said, “The Junior League is here every year. It’s always different people, but they’re all awesome.”

Thanks Everybody Wins! We think you’re awesome, too.

JLW Seeks Junior Poets for 17th Annual Youth Poetry Contest

For nearly two decades, the Junior League of Washington has hosted the “Find Your Words” Youth Poetry Contest. Students are now invited to participate in the 17th annual event, aimed to encourage and support literacy.

Students in Washington, D.C., public and charter schools (grades 4-8) are invited to participate in the competition by submitting up to two poems on any topics of significance or interest to them. Entries will be judged on the basis of content, originality, creativity, and clarity.

One first place winner and two honorable mentions in each grade will receive literacy-focused prizes (value of $50 for first place and $25 each for honorable mention). The winners will also be printed in a JLW booklet and invited to read their poems at a JLW reception in the spring.

Teachers or other educational instructors are asked to submit poems via email to JLWDCpoetry@gmail.com on students’ behalf. Entries should be submitted as an attachment in Word format.

Contest entries may be submitted until Friday, April 1, 2016. Winners will be notified in early April via the email address of the submitter.

For additional details, please click here or email JLWDCpoetry@gmail.com. Promotional details are included in the link.

An Art Filled Afternoon at National Museum of Women in the Arts

On Sunday, Feb. 21, Esprit and the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) committees hosted a tour and brunch for JLW members. Attendees saw works by Frida Kahlo, Sarah Bernhardt, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun and many other great women artists. One of the tours was lead by NMWA Chair, Lori Vitelozzi.

Junior League members discuss portraiture and the work in the center, Young Woman Seated in the Shade of a Tree by Antoine Cecile Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot.
Photo Credit: Sarah Bryant

You too can visit works by these artists and many more at National Museum of Women in the Arts. This Washingtonian gem is located at 1250 New York Ave, NW. The museum has recently offered a discounted supporter level membership to all JLW volunteers. Membership at NMWA includes free admission to the museum, exclusive events, discounts at the museum shop and many other benefits. The membership is also fully tax deductible. Click here to purchase your membership today. We hope you can visit NMWA soon and support the museum as they champion women through the arts.

All Things Tossed & Found 2016

Rummage donations, special events and sale weekend, oh my! Tossed & Found is in full gear, and we are so excited for the 24th annual sale, Thursday through Sunday, March 18-20.

This email is your one-stop shop for all things Tossed & Found.

Please visit our JLW page for more information and updates on Tossed & Found.

Drop-off Information and Requirements
Tossed & Found is in a new location this year, and the committee can't wait to show it off.

Drop-off Location
Crystal City - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Drop-off Dates
Sunday, Jan. 31 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 13 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 14 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 17 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 20 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 21 (12:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 24 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Donation Reminders

• All actives & new members are required to donate $50 worth of rummage. Donations should include at least $35 of non-clothing items such as furniture, housewares, books, etc.
• Please bring two completed forms with your rummage donation; one will be for your records. Click here for the donation form.
• Click here for the Tossed & Found price list.
• Make sure all donated items are clean and in good working condition.
• Use your best judgment: If an item really needs to be thrown away, please do so. Our quality is what brings shoppers back year after year.
• We gladly accept shopping bags and hangers.

What to Donate

We accept furniture, antiques, housewares, flat screen TVs, books, jewelry, brand name handbags, baby items and clothing for men, women and children.

What NOT to Donate

We do not accept the following items:

• corporate logo items,
• shoes,
• work-out clothing,
• swimsuits,
• torn or soiled clothing,
• computer monitors or tube TVs,
• outdated textbooks and travel books,
• broken electronics,
• refrigerators, dishwashers, washers/dryers or
• children's items that do not meet current FDA or safety standards.

Mighty Men Furniture Pick-Ups

For the first time, Tossed & Found's Mighty Men pick-up is proud to partner with Zippy Shell Storage and Moving. If you have large furniture donations, please request a Mighty Man pick-up by Friday, Feb. 12 by emailing mightymansignup@gmail.com. Please submit this form with your request.

Volunteer Shift Sign-up

Tossed & Found sale weekend wouldn't be the success it is without our JLW members volunteering for move-in, working shifts, shopping during sale weekend and winding down with move-out.

Please sign up here for a volunteer shift. Working a shift is worth one membership credit!

Note: New Members are required to volunteer for one shift.

Sale Weekend

Join us sale weekend for quality pre-owned housewares, fashion, books, sporting goods, electronics and furniture. Thousands of items will be sold at unbelievable prices! Proceeds from Tossed & Found are used to support JLW's Mission of improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Tossed & Found's grand opening is Friday, Mar. 18, at the Hoops & High Heels event (see Special Events below).

General shopping hours are as follows:

Saturday, Mar. 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, Mar. 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cash or check will be accepted for purchases on March 19 and 20. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted at Hoops & High Heels on March 18.

Note: The JLW strives in all endeavors to be sensitive to the special needs of its members and guests. If you have any special needs pertaining to attendance of this event, please email tossedandfound@jlw.org.

Special Events

Click here to purchase tickets!

Note: Attendance at each Special Event earns a JLW membership credit.

Diamonds & Dessert

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Crystal City Shops - 1625 Crystal Square Arcade, Crystal City Underground; Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Join us at Tossed & Found's kickoff event! For the 2nd year in a row, we are excited to host the party in Crystal City in order to meet growing demand. Just in time for Valentine's Day, we are thrilled that Kendra Scott jewelry will be for sale at the event with 20% of all sale proceeds going back to the League. Come enjoy a memorable evening of sips, sweets, music and sparkles! JLW members, friends and dates welcome.

Tickets: $25 advance; $30 at the door. Click here to purchase.

*Can't get enough fabulous Tossed & Found Events? Purchase a combo ticket for Diamonds & Dessert and Hoops & High Heels and save $10. Combo ticket is available for purchase until Tuesday, Feb. 9. Click here to purchase.

Children's Trunk Show

Date: Saturday, Mar. 5, 2016

Time: Early Access 8:30 - 10 a.m.; Main Sale 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Location: Crystal City (main sale site) - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

The Children's Trunk Show is fun for the whole family! The popular annual event will feature quality pre-owned children's items including clothes, nursery furniture, high chairs, swings, books and toys and will include fabulous vendors including:

• Wren Riley by Amy Riley
• Arbonne by Heidi Miller
• thirty-one by Erin Krekeler
• Children's author & illustrator Sherry Hickey

Tickets: A limited number of Early Access tickets are available for $20 per adult. Main sale tickets are $10 per adult. Kids are FREE! Click here to purchase.

Hoops & High Heels Party

Date: Friday, Mar. 18, 2016

Time: 7 - 10 p.m.

Location: Crystal City (main sale site) - 1225 S. Clark Street, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202; Metro: Crystal City, Blue/Yellow lines (Google Map)

Grab your friends and join Tossed & Found for the grand opening event: the Hoops & High Heels Party! Enjoy a fun-filled evening as you get to be the first to shop for your 'Fabulous Finds.' The event will feature a fantastic live and silent auction of specialty items, luxury services and one-of-a kind getaways. To add to the fun, NCAA March Madness games will be televised coupled with wonderful food and spirited drinks!

Tickets: $45 prior to March 1; $50 after March 1; or $60 at the door. Click here to purchase.

*Can't get enough fabulous Tossed & Found Events? Purchase a combo ticket for Diamonds & Dessert and Hoops & High Heels and save $10. Combo ticket is available for purchase until Tuesday, Feb. 9. Click here to purchase.

Support Tossed & Found

Support the community by purchasing a $40 JLW Community Cash Card!

Your donation provides a JLW community partner, a neighbor in need or a community organization of your choice the opportunity to purchase $40 worth of items at our 2016 sale. The cards will be distributed by a member of the Tossed & Found Committee to these deserving groups. The cards are redeemable for merchandise only, have no cash value and are only valid on the weekend of the 2016 Tossed & Found sale (Mar. 19-20, 2016).

CPC Fridge Funds to Help Furnish 826DC’s “Magical” New HQ

826DC completed its move to a new headquarters with a kickoff event Nov. 14. The Columbia Heights facility will help the JLW community partner grow the number of students served by its literacy and writing programs, which include hosting after-school tutoring, field trips for local schools, and creative and expository writing workshops.

JLW is helping with the transition to the new space, as earlier this month the Community Placement Council voted to approve a $1,000 “fridge fund” grant for 826DC, which will be used to purchase comfortable furniture for the teen space in the tutoring and writing center.

The plush seating will make the space more appealing to older students after a long day at school, helping them to be more productive during tutoring sessions.

"Teens have different developmental needs from our younger students, some of which are met by more relaxed seating and a sense of responsibility and autonomy for 'their' space," said Lacey N. Dunham, 826DC's Programs Director. "We're grateful for the Junior League of Washington's support helping us make a welcoming space where teens can further connect with our programming."

The new facility was featured in a Washingtonian.com article last month.

The new space is just across the street from the old location, which included a storefront “Museum of Unnatural History.” The headquarters are now at the historic Tivoli building in Columbia Heights. It now houses a new storefront, Tivoli’s Astounding Magic Supply Co.

"For students, the storefront is an important transition space that carries them from their daily lives to a warm and creative environment. It also inspires our workshops and student writing,” Dunham said.

Attributed to 826DC

826DC is part of the 826 National organization. It opened its D.C. location in 2010 and was a JLW grant recipient before becoming a community partner in incubation. JLW 826DC Committee members volunteer through the Reading All-Stars program, mentoring elementary students on Saturday mornings at Harriet Tubman Elementary in Columbia Heights. Contact Committee Chair Natalie Jennings with questions about the committee.

JLW Chosen as Combined Federal Campaign Recipient

For the first time ever, the Junior League of Washington joins the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the world's largest most successful annual workplace charity campaign! Are you a federal employee or military member? Please consider partnering with JLW through the CFC!

CFC’s mission is to support and to promote philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season—Sept. 1 to Dec. 15—support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. The JLW is proud to have been chosen as one of this year's eligible organizations!

Click here to learn more on JLW’s blog.

How do I donate?

If you are a federal civilian, postal or military donor, please support JLW by designating #17835 on your paper or online pledge card. On your pledge card, you can make one time or recurring donations via a payroll deduction, credit/debit card or check. Payroll deductions make it easy to give small weekly contributions that quickly make a significant impact (as little as $1 per pay period)!

You can contribute online at http://www.cfcnca.org/ or reach out to your office's CFC Key Worker.

Are there other ways I can participate?

Please spread the word! Encourage your friends, family and coworkers to choose JLW as their designated CFC charity. If you are a federal employee, military member or postal employee and want to invite JLW to your office's CFC event, please contact annualcampaign@jlw.org.

Not eligible to contribute to CFC? Please consider joining the 3039 M Society! The Friends of the JLW Committee invites ALL members to participate in a new opportunity to engage all elements of the League, while having fun throughout the year. Through a single contribution—at a level of your choice—members can plan for activities that year, while supporting the work of many ongoing projects and strengthening the League. The 3039 M Society offers three tiers of support that offer JLW members tickets to events and other benefits, acknowledgement in JLW event programs and special recognition at the League’s annual reception.

For additional information or to enroll, submit a contribution form to Ways and Means Council Director, Diane Lebson, by Oct. 15! 

How will my contributions support the JLW?

Your CFC donations support an organization of women dedicated to serving as a resource throughout the community to effect positive change, seek common ground, and inspire hope by focusing our financial and volunteer resources on the complex issues of literacy in the greater metropolitan area of the District of Columbia.

The Friends of JLW Committee educates members regarding the importance of donating to the JLW. Questions regarding your contributions should be directed to annualcampaign@jlw.org.