The News Journal
Busy people hauling landscape stone, digging holes and carrying plants fresh from a greenhouse swarmed around houses on West Eighth Street on a Saturday not so long ago. Volunteers from the Junior League of Wilmington (JLW) were making good on their pledge of support to the West End Neighborhood House’s Life Lines program by landscaping the yards of four homes run by the organization. But the League’s commitment to West End Neighborhood House didn’t end that day in May.
The JLW adopts a new focus area every three years. As part of an extensive visioning process, League members examined the work of more than 30 local community organizations to identify the area of greatest needs. Following this research, the League selected as its community focus for 2009 to 2011 the area of life skills and mentoring for children and teens.
Next, the JLW selected a corresponding signature project. These projects are chosen for their potential to create a lasting impact on the local community. The current signature project will be carried out with West End Neighborhood House; a social organization who’s Life Lines Program provides housing as well as guidance on work and life skills for young people who are aging out of the foster care system. Throughout the duration of the JLW’s commitment, League members will assist West End Neighborhood House in refurbishing, landscaping and maintaining four houses that provide a comfortable, safe environment for the young people that the organization serves. The League also will provide a series of life-skills seminars for the houses’ residents. This work will be funded through the fundraising efforts of the WJL, with more than $90,000 projected for the project through 2011.
This spring, the League worked with West End Neighborhood House to decorate its newest property, Emma’s House. JLW members provided new bed linens, bathroom accessories, wall art and window treatments shortly before the house was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 5. This event was attended by many local and state dignitaries. The following Saturday, League members and their families landscaped the exteriors of four West End Neighborhood house properties with new plants, garden stones and outdoor furniture.
We are very lucky to have a partner like the Junior League for a project like this,” said West End Neighborhood House Board President Mike Albero. “We appreciate their generosity and commitment to our community.”
The JLW acknowledges and thanks the Claymont Home Depot store, BJ’s Nursery in Wilmington and landscaper John Simon, whose generous donations made the landscaping event possible.
Founded in 1918, the Junior League of Wilmington, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.