Hampton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America
JANUARY 2016
“The Power to Make A Difference”
The
Sunshine Allison and the Umbuntu Collective lead Jack and Jill families in a cultural dance during our Kwanzaa celebration.
Jack and Jill families participate in the 5K to raise prostate awareness.
Age Groups and Leaders
Incredibles and Jumping Jacks Preschool/ Primary Age Group
Terri Keesee & Margaret Martin
Rebecca WheelerPride and Joy Intermediate Age Watson Group
Heart of Africa Junior Teens
Felicia Barnett & Adria Merritt
Essence Senior Teens
Rhonda Bell, Brandy Etter & Kaye Davis
Power of a Strong Start
The Hampton Chapter started the program year with our annual “Round-Up” that combines Jack and Jill Day and Carol Robertson Day. This fun-filled family activity provided our chapter the opportunity to commemorate our fallen member, while enjoying fellowship and gearing up for another successful program year. Our families and invited guests enjoyed a great day feasting, swimming and recreation. During our "Round Up," we made a difference by donating school supplies to support a local middle school. During the season of giving, our annual Kwanzaa celebration afforded us the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of African American culture and to donate coats and clothing to the homeless residing at the Menchville House, a local shelter. Our junior teens and senior teens volunteered at the annual Christmas party at St. Vincent's Church, where they organized and distributed gifts to local families. Other chapter highlights include our Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day of Service where we partnered with the local Food Bank to collect donated food items at Farm Fresh grocery stores in Williamsburg and Hampton, VA. We are looking forward to hosting our 6th Annual Golf Tournament, which is our signature fundraising event; it provides us the opportunity to demonstrate our philanthropic commitment to our communities and support the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. Our age groups have engaged in full-slate of activities. The pre-school/ primary age group enjoyed a Suessical Symphony where they enjoyed a combination of music and stories. The intermediate age group visited, New Earth Farm, an educational garden in Virginia Beach where they learned how food is grown from seed to plate; they became chefs in training as they cooked healthy cuisines. The junior teen group showed the power of their creativity as they en-
joyed a Paint Nite at Starving Artist Studio in Newport News. The Essence senior
Intermediate and Junior Teens traveled to New Earth Farm to learn about fresh food choices.
teen group participated in the Out of Darkness Suicide Walk in Virginia Beach to help raise awareness about suicide and depression. They also made an impact by serving as volunteers during the 5K to support the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. Our teens brought cheer to Transitions, an emergency shelter for battered women and children, by wrapping and sorting gifts for the residents. Many more exciting activities have taken place and remain for our program year that support the programmatic thrusts of Jack and Jill.
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Age Group Happenings: Incredibles and Jumping Jacks On September 27th, the preschool/primary age groups enjoyed a Suessical Symphony where they enjoyed a combination of music and stories
The preschool/primary age groups enjoyed the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at the Sandler Center for Performing Arts.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra brought Dr. Seuss' story of Sam I Am's love for green eggs and ham to musical life for our Jack and Jillers. The Incredibles Preschool group and Jumping Jacks Primary group traveled to the Sandler Center for Performing Arts in in Virginia Beach where to see a Peanut Butter & Jam Family Series presentation of "A Seussical Adventure."
The
Essence Senior Teens participate in the Out of Darkness Walk to raise awareness about mental health.
Senior Teens and Junior Teens volunteer with raise set up for the 5K to raise awareness about prostate cancer.
Jack and Jillers spend Martin Luther King’s Day of Service supporting the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
Power
to Make a Difference
Woven in our chapter’s program calendar is an intentional effort to make a difference in the lives of others. Our chapter has participated in a plethora of activities on the Hampton Roads community that have allowed us to make a positive impact by raising awareness, donating money, volunteering our time.
Clarke, hosted a mother’s outing on Sunday, September 13th that provided financial support to the Alzheimer’s Awareness Association. Mothers and guests who attended the private screening of “The Perfect Guy” at the Paragon Theater raised $500 to donate for programs and services critical to individual and families living with Alzheimer’s disease.
On Saturday, September 12th, our Essence Senior Teens started the year by participating in the Out of Darkness Suicide Walk in Virginia Beach. By walking our Senior Teens helped raise awareness about mental health in an effort to reduce the annual suicide rate to 20% by 2025. Every year suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined, and yet suicide prevention doesn't get anywhere near the funding given to other leading causes of death. Our Essence Senior Teens walked to make a difference.
Our chapter supported The Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum by participating in and volunteering during its 5K Run and 1K Walk on Saturday, October 24. Essence Senior Teens and Hearts of Africa Junior Teens volunteered during registration and the race, while members Kaye Davis, Kayla Buchanan, Myles Ross, and Isaac Ross ran to help promote prostate cancer awareness and education to help combat the disease that impacts 1 out of every 5 African American men in the United States.
Social Committee Chairs, Terri Keesee and Nicole
Our Essence Senior Teens worked to spread Christmas
The preschool/primary age group Jacks enjoy their time in Virginia Beach.
cheer on December 7th at Transitions Family Violence Services and December 19 at the annual St. Vincent’s Christmas Party. Our Senior Teens donated, wrapped, and presented gifts at both events. Transitions has a host of services including a 24-hour hotline; emergency, short-term, and transitional shelter; support groups; safety planning and legal advocacy; information and referral; art and play therapy; and outreach to underserved populations. Transitions’ services are available at no charge. While St. Vincent’s offers a community celebration each December to help families in the downtown Newport News community. Our chapter celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy with our day of service to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank on January 18. Organized by Tatia Granger, members volunteered to collect money and food items at Farm Fresh stores in both Kiln Creek and Williamsburg. Since 1986, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank has provided over 127 million meals to residents across the Greater Peninsula.
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The
Power
of Celebration
On Saturday, December 5th Jack and Jill families gathered in the Student Center Ballroom to celebrate Kwanzaa. Chapter President, Michelle Avery, opened our celebration by welcoming families and guests. Candice Frye, Kwanzaa committee member, helped establish the flow of the program by introducing program participants and welcoming them to stage. Our Essence Senior Teens provided an overview of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols, including the mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed, the Kinara (candle holder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) mazao (crops), a Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup). Each of the symbols, as well as a book about Kwanzaa, were displayed to represent values and concepts reflective of African culture and community building. Our Jack and Jill Father of Year, Vaughan Watson, shared insightful words about being a
father and led a prayer of thanks before dinner was enjoyed. Following dinner, spoken word artist James Weaver, IV, a Hampton University sophomore from Chicago, painted the struggle and pride of being young, gifted, and black. Master storyteller, Dylan Pritchett, used the power of word and song to teach truth, elicit laughter, fuel fellowship, and spark reflection about how we interact as families and communities, as well as how we honor and treasure the wisdom of our elders. The Umbuntu Dance Collective, directed by Sunshine Allison, brought the rhythms of Africa as they performed Sorsonet, a dance that refers to sacred, protective mask consulted by villagers a couple of times a year for protection, good health, and favor.
After celebrating African American culture through word, song, and dance, Jack and Jill families celebrated Kwanzaa by giving. Our chapter collected donations to help the mothers and children living at the Menchville House, a forty six-bed emergency housing facility for homeless families. Members of the Menchville House Board of Directors came forward to thank our members and speak about the important work they are doing in the Newport News area by offering families the services and support needed to return to self-sufficiency. Our annual Kwanzaa Celebration closed with chapter pictures and the cutting of our cake. Thanks to the efforts of our Program Director, Stephanie Barnes, and committee members Kendra Crump, Candice Frye, Letizia Gambrell-Boone, and Adria Merritt, our chapter enjoyed an evening celebrating our African cultural and historical heritage.
Jack and Jill families joined the dance floor to dance with Sunshine and Umbuntu Collective, who taught the Ku Ku, a celebratory dance done to acknowledge community members’ accomplishments.
Jack and Jillers gathered for a group picture after Kwanzaa.
Essence Senior Teens presented an overview of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols.
Master Storyteller, Dylan Pritchett, used song to teach truth.
Age Group Happenings: Pride and Joy On November 8th, the intermediate age group (Pride and Joy) visited, New Earth Farm, an educational garden in Virginia Beach where they learned how food is grown from seed to plate; they became chefs in training as they cooked healthy cuisines. As a health initiative activity, Jack and Jillers took a tour of a farm and visited with the farm animals. They also experienced harvesting seasonal
vegetables and using them as ingredients in the mean they prepared as a group.
Pride and Joy Intermediate group enjoyed the healthy meal they prepared using fresh ingredients.
Our young chefs were taught new recipes.
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Age Group Happenings: Heart of Africa Junior Teens
Junior teens enjoyed socializing at the home of host mom, Kendra Crump.
Junior Teens make sundaes during their September social.
On September 26th, junior teens gathered at the home of host mom, Kendra Crump, from 58pm. During their time together, they played Text to Know You and then introduced their partner. They showed their creative side in a balloon animal contest, played Silly String Zombie Apocalypse, ate dinner and had dessert. After dinner they played apples to apples, ate popcorn and relaxed while watching a movie, playing video games or playing pool.
Junior teens worked on their masterpieces.
Junior teens showcased their creations.
On October 18th, the junior teen group showed the power of their creativity as they enjoyed a Paint Nite at Starving Artist Studio in Newport News. Junior teens were able to create masterpieces by painting on canvass or pottery.
Jack and Jillers in the Spotlight
Senior teens attended the Teen Dating Violence Awareness Event.
Senior Teen, Savannah Williams, worked to earn her Gold Star Award in Girl Scouts.
Senior Teen: Savannah Williams
Senior Teen: Simone Williams
On October 9th, Essence Senior Teens attended a Teen Dating Violence Awareness Event to support Senior Teen Savannah Williams. Savannah is working to earn her Gold Star Award in Girls Scouts by bringing awareness to Teen Dating Violence. She is collaborating with Transitions Family Violence Services (TVFS) to support their programing and provide original programming in the community. She also has created an online brochure for the TFVS website. At the event Savannah presented the importance of being aware of teen dating violence and the risks to teens in abusive relationships.
On November 6th, Essence Senior Teen Simone Williams was crowned as Homecoming Queen for Woodside High School in Newport News. Simone, an honor roll student and photographer for the Senior Teens, has been accepted at Hampton University.
During the event, participants screened the short film “Can You Hear Me Now”, produced by Ms. Michelle Nicole; it is loosely based on Michelle’s experiences growing up in a household with domestic violence and the impact on her life. Savannah played a supporting role in the film.
Senior Teen, Simone Williams, was crowned Homecoming Queen at Woodside High School. She is accompanied by her father, Marvin Williams.
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Age Group Happenings: Essence Senior Teens The Essence Senior Teen group participated in the Out of Darkness Suicide Walk in Virginia Beach to help raise awareness about suicide and depression. They also made an impact by serving as volunteers during the 5K to support the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. Our teens brought cheer to Transitions, an emergency shelter for battered women and children, by wrapping and sorting gifts for the residents.
Senior Teens helped organize gifts for the St. Vincent’s Christmas Party.
Essence Senior Teens participated in the 5K Run to raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Senior Teens helped distribute gifts during the St. Vincent’s Christmas Party.
Senior Teens worked as volunteers during the 5K to support the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute.
The Power of Mothers On October 16 –17, mothers traveled to the Fall Workday Cluster held at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia. Suring the cluster, mothers were able to learn more about our organization and meet members from other chapters in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Mothers also enjoyed social outings to the movies and a brunch show.
Mothers attended the private screening of “The Perfect Guy” at the Paragon Theater to help raise money for Alzheimer’s Awareness.
Hampton Chapter Mothers attended the Mother’s Regional Cluster hosted by the Chesapeake Chapter.
Mothers enjoyed a Sunday Brunch Show at Crocs 19th Street Bistro in Virginia Beach.
Jack and Jill of America Hampton Chapter Executive Board Michelle Avery, President Joy Jefferson, Vice President Stephanie Barnes, Program Director LaTonya Evans, Recording Secretary
“Let’s Work, Let’s Play, Let’s Live Together”
Warrenetta Mann, Corresponding Secretary Tiffany Franklin, Financial Secretary Michelle Lakins-Waller, Treasurer
Members of the Hampton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Adria Merritt, Allison Hayes, Andrea Roots-Williams, Angela Collins, Aravia Johnson, Barbara Inman, Brandy Etter, Briggita Haggins, Candice Nickens-Frye, Carlyse Deloatch, Felicia Barnett, Gail Jones, Glenda Turner, Iyabo Osiapem, Jennifer Miles-Thomas, Joy Jefferson, Karen Williams, Katherine Brown, Kaye Davis, Keeysa Hill-Jones, Kendra Crump, Kianta Daniels, LaTonya Evans, Lea Thomas, Letizia Gambrell-Boone, Marcella Douglas, Margaret Martin, Marjarie Thomas, Michelle Avery, Michelle Lakins-Waller, Nicole Clark, Nicole Jackson, Phyllis Ross, Rebecca Wheeler-Walston, Rhonda Bell, SahQuana Newsom-Battle, Sharon Williams, Shawn Winfield, Stephanie Barnes, Tatia Granger, Terri Keesee, Tiffany Franklin, Treva Ferguson-Johnson, Warnetta Mann
Adria Merritt, Editor Andrea Williams-Roots, Parliamentarian
Chapter History The Hampton Chapter was established in 1954 by Mrs. Thelma Boone and nineteen visionary mothers. From our founding until today, our mission continues to be to provide exemplary programming for our children and teens. Our aim is to achieve exceptional operational performance through (1) becoming a 5-Star Chapter, (2) increasing community involvement and (3) providing superior activities, which promote leadership development, STEM and arts, and humanitarian involvement.
Newsletter Committee Adria Merritt, Editor Rhonda Bell Brandy Etter For future newsletter submissions, email all pictures and text to Adria Merritt at jjhamptonedit@gmail.com.