Lagniappe Winter 2022

LAGNIAPPE STAFF

Editor and Communications

Council Director

Kristin Durand

Assistant Editor

Kylie June Tahana

League Photography Vice Chair

Bailey Morrison

Writers

Taymika Sharrieff, LeeAnn Moss

Photographers

Rachel Kellogg, Cree-Merriman Jourdain, Kylie June Tahana, Karen Phan, Megan Kurtz, Kristin Durand

PUBLISHER STAFF

Art Director: Ali Sullivan

Production Manager

Rosa Balaguer

Production Designer

Meghan Rooney

Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Holly Adkins Paczak

President Elect Ashley Llewellyn

Secretary Elizabeth Vincent Frein

Treasurer Nancy Kirkeby

Assistant Treasurer Trish Thibodeau

Business Council Director Tara Waldron

Communications Council Director Kristin Durand

Community Council Director Kathryn McLeod

Membership Council Director Lindsey Labadie Raborn

Planning & Development Council Director Erica Washington

Ways & Means Council Director Amy Flower

Nominating Committee Chair Michelle Clarke Payne

Sustaining Advisor to the Board Jeanne Boughton

T he “Better” Babysitters Club

Life Saving Lessons Taught at Safe Sitter

Written by: Tamika Sharrieff

Every parent wants their child to be their best self. We place them in dance, art, sports, and other extracurricular activities to help them find their passion and have some fun. In our quest for those activi ties that fit into our vision for helping our children achieve their goals, it is great when you find a program that provides a large amount of value. For many parents, that elusive perfect fit comes through the Safe Sitter program hosted by the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO).

According to the national Safe Sitter website, Patricia A. Keener, M.D. rec ognized the vulnerability of young children when cared for by an unprepared provider, so she created a program to teach young teens how to be better, safer babysitters. For more than 40 years, Safe Sitter has been a leader in providing life skills, safety protocols, and childcare training for youth.

This past summer showed just how much interest this program gener ates every year. “Safe Sitter provided a robust summer program and trained 200 young adults between 5th and 7th grade,” says Tara Waldron, 2022-23 JLNO Business Council Director. She explains that, while the pandemic and COVID-19 guidelines affected the number of students each class could take, it did not affect JLNO’s commitment to offering classes to the community. “JLNO plans to reach out to other organizations and share the benefits these classes can have for the young people in our community, and we look for ward to creating a yearlong program,” Tara adds.

Safe Sitter Vice-Chair Emily Liuzza has taught JLNO Safe Sitter classes for six years. She explains the process of how students are taught and trained by saying, “There is a mixture of instructions with videos and hands-on activities the students participate in during the class. At the end of the lesson, they are given a handbook they can use to take with them on jobs as a reference.”

Lessons are medically accurate and developmentally appropriate, provid ing adolescents with improved childcare skills to reduce accidental and pre ventable deaths. Safe Sitter curriculum includes life-saving skills such as how to help someone who is choking or what to do in case of severe weather, as well as practical lessons like changing a diaper. Students are engaged through fun activities and role-playing exercises, and they use first aid mannequins to practice CPR and choking rescue techniques.

The young people who take part in this program are not only learning something, but they are also engaged and enjoying the process. Girl Scout troop leader, Deborah Grant, says her girls especially appreciated the handson lessons. She comments, “Kids today want to know how to do things on their own. It gives them a sense of independence. My girls not only learned about CPR; they also learned what type of responsibility it is to take care of a baby and how much trust an adult has in them when they are allowed to babysit.” She adds with a laugh, “And after taking this class, they can also command a higher salary for their experience.”

Plans for future Safe Sitter sessions are currently in development. Single child or group sign-up options will be available. You can find out more about how your 11 to 13-year-old can participate and stay up to date on the latest announcements by following our social media channels, visiting jlno.org/safesitter, or emailing safesitter@jlno.org •

Amanda Morse assists Safe Sitter participants in practicing choking rescue skills. Photo By: Michelle Clark Payne

JLNO member Jessica Ortiz instructs Safe Sitter participants on CPR techniques. Photo By: Rachel Kellogg

Investing In Our Future

2021-2022 Community Assistance Fund and Scholarship Recipients

Written by: LeeAnn Moss

Photos by: Delana Lynn Photography

The Mission of the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is to develop the potential of women and improve communities. Two core initiatives that have a major impact towards carrying out this goal are the Community Assistance Fund (CAF) and the Scholarship Fund.

Launched in 2009, the Community Assistance Fund bestows grants upon nonprofit organizations across the Greater New Orleans area. Local nonprofit agencies who effectively demonstrate a need for funding and seek to advance the wellbeing of women and/or children in the community can apply. JLNO awards these grants annually with a focus on three main areas: economic opportunity, physical and mental health, and family assistance.

The 2021-2022 CAF Committee, led by Chairs Rachel Robinson and Terrica Turner and Vice-Chair Emily Degan, selected ArcGNO, Son of a Saint, The 18th Ward Sports Club, Kid SmART, and Mercy Endeavors to receive grants for their respective initiatives.

“The CAF Committee considered the impact that Hurricane Ida had on the applicants after witnessing it firsthand through our community partners and even our League,” says Alyse Mouledoux, 2021-2022 Community Council Director. “They were sensitive to the reality that so many were still dealing with the physical and economic burden of the hurricane; so much so that Ida’s impact became an important factor in weighing the applicants’ requests.”

The diversity of the initiatives selected highlighted

key areas of need in the Greater New Orleans community, particularly for children and families. The 2021-2022 Scholarship Committee was led by Chairs Jasmine Lewis and Ashley Liuzza. The committee awarded five scholarships of $1,100 each to the following recipients: Brittney N. Whitaker, Lisl Antee, Elena Cujba, Rebecca Callegan and Cedrica Sartin. The scholarship recipients represent first generation college students, parents, full-time employees, healthcare professionals, single mothers and entrepreneurs. The awardees also indicated their interest in pursuing additional degrees after the completion of their current academic programs.

Alyse lauds the impact of the scholarship program, saying, “[It] truly has the power to change women’s lives. The committee thoughtfully sought out schools and degree programs with non-traditional students, and the applicant pool was an impressive bunch with the hardship of the pandemic as a common thread. The committee selected women who are not only bettering their own lives but also that of their families and those around them.”

The Junior League of New Orleans wishes to congratulate all its award recipients. They are the future of Greater New Orleans – a future worth investing in. If you are interested in making a financial donation and providing further support for women seeking to enhance or change their careers, please visit jlno.org/community/scholarship .

2021-2022

Grant Awardees

Son of a Saint | $5,000

The 18th Ward | $6,400

KID SmART | $1,500

ARC of Greater New Orleans | $3,500

Mercy Endeavors | $3,600

Brittany N. Whitaker –2021-22 Scholarship Recipient

"I am thrilled to have received this scholarship and deeply appreciate the Junior League of New Orleans’ support of my education. The monetary sup port was such a significant help to me paying my educational expenses and has allowed me more time to focus on my stud ies and my family."

JLNO awarded grants for the 2021-2022 League year to the following organizations:

- Founder and Executive Director

“In 2019, a group of parents in New Orleans could not find a high-quality, low-cost and inclusive youth sports program, so we started The 18th Ward. We started with 40 kids in 2019 and will provide at least 4,000 youth opportuni ties during the 2022-2023 school year. We created two workforce develop ment programs to make a direct economic impact on our community, sustain our growth and give young community leaders the opportunities they deserve.”

Madisyn Pina, KID smARTCommunications Manager

“This spring, KID smART's With Feeling curriculum teamed up with Lyrica Baroque's Power of Language educational program. With Feeling is an arts-integrated, social-emotional literacy curriculum through which students learn to manage emotions in ways that increase their personal power and enhance safety, health, and happiness for themselves and those around them. A KID smART Arts Integration Specialist and Lyrica Baroque musicians visited classrooms to perform and teach through an original set of compositions. This col laborative program created a diverse and inclusive space for kindergarten students at Langston Hughes Academy to learn how to communicate with confidence and empathy, succeed academically, and understand that no feeling is final.”

“Because of the generosity of the Junior League of New Orleans, we were able to provide weekly pantry food packs to over 100 low-income, vulnerable senior citizens who otherwise would not have the means of transportation to obtain groceries on their own. We were also able to provide our Jazzin’ with Juice classes to the seniors where they learn how to prepare healthy foods such as juices, smoothies, yogurt parfaits, salads and wraps while playing upbeat jazzy music in the background. It is important for the seniors to in corporate healthy eating habits while facing diabetes, high blood pressure and many other ailments, and the Junior League has allowed us to introduce these new foods in a fun and exciting way.”

Lowery Crews, The 18th Ward Sports Club

Rachel Roubion, Mercy Endeavors –Development Director

League Faces

Erin Corcoran and Caroline Nelson show off their creative skills at the Home Malone door hanger painting class hosted by the Esprit Committee on September 22. Photo submitted by: Karen Phan

As part of the GNO STEM Initiative, League members helped stuff backpacks for the 2022 school year at Xavier University on August 23. Photo by: Kristin Durand

Say "Wine and Cheese"! A great turnout of provisional and transfers showed up at Martin's Wine Cellar prior to the September General Membership Meeting on September 20. Photo submitted by: Kylie June Tahana

League members (L-R) Cree Merriman-Jourdain,Sharmaé Franklin, and Tara Webster pose with Pierre the Pelican during Xavier University's Back 2 School Fest where volunteers distributed 4,000 backpacks. Photo by: Cree Merriman-Jourdain

During Diaper Need Awareness Week, a group of dedicated League members participating in a "Done In a Day" shift succeeded in sorting 36,470 diapers! Photo by: Megan Kurtz

JLNO Communication Director Kristin Durand (R) met with her colleagues from the Junior League of Atlanta (L - Mia Wells) and the Junior League of London (CL - Amy Garcia, CR - Kimberly Burton) while visiting England. Photo by: Kristin Durand

Sustainer Connections Committee Members pose with hostess Jeanne Boughton out side of her home during the October New Sustainer Social. Photo by: Rachel Kellogg

October's Front Porch Friday took to the skies! Ladies enjoyed the view from the Roof top Pool Lounge at the Virgin Hotel New Orleans. Photo by: Karen Phan

DarLisa Riche (CL) presents a $2,500 check on behalf of Enterprise Holdings Founda tion to Ways & Means Council Director, Amy Flower (L) and Touch a Truck Co-Chairs Savanna VanAusdale and Nathalie Dillon (CR-R). Photo b:y Delana Lynn Photography

League ladies enjoyed a night of luxe and leather at Tory Burch, where 20% of pro ceeds benefited JLNO, raising nearly $4,500. Photo submitted by: Christine Rigamer

JLNO Offers Opportunities for Growth in 2023

Written by: Taymika Sharrieff Photos by: Delana Lynn Photography

As you get ready to close out one year and enter another, have you started to think about what’s coming next? What are your resolutions for the new year? Have you considered what you will do to help you achieve professional development, personal growth, and engage more with your community? Look no further than the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) for inspiration.

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Start the new year energized with fresh ideas by attending JLNO’s Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) on Friday, January 20th at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. This all day event is designed to empower women to improve all facets of their life. Attendees can curate an ex perience distinctive to their personal goals by choosing from a diverse multi-track panel of programming. The inaugural summit was scheduled for fall 2020, but COVID-19 forced it to be held virtually for its first two years. “It’s exciting that we will finally get to be in person!” says Business Council Director, Tara Waldron. She and the WLS Committee are thrilled that attendees will finally have the chance to network with one another, participate in interactive sessions, and meet the lineup of inspirational speakers, including keynote speaker Karen Swensen. Stay informed on the latest exciting details at jlno.org/wls.

GET TO KNOW JLNO

After attending the Women's Leadership Summit, take your selfimprovement journey a step further by attending a Get To Know JLNO session. Here, you can gain insight on how to advance the wellbeing of women and families in the Greater New Orleans area as a member of the Junior League of New Orleans. JLNO offers a variety of both fun and meaningful ways for you to impact the local community. Since its founding in 1924, The Junior League of New Orleans has trained women leaders to understand the community's needs, to envision ways to better others' lives and to bring further change. If you are 23 or older with an interest in voluntarism, membership is open to you! The Junior League of New Orleans is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all women who value our Mission. Grab a friend, and be part of the his toric incoming membership class to join during our centennial year! Visit jlno.org/membership to find out more.

GET ON BOARD

Once you get to know JLNO and the opportunities it has to offer, consider signing up for Get on Board - a workshop aimed at individuals interested in serving their community on a nonprofit board. Since 2008, JLNO has offered this training as a unique chance to obtain knowledge directly from nonprofit experts in the field of board management. Reg istrants will gain the competence and confidence to operate a nonprofit organization through engaging exercises and informative sessions. This single-day workshop is open to the public and will be held Friday, March 17, 2023. Registration details will be announced soon, so be sure to fol low us on social media for the latest updates.

The Junior League of New Orleans is more than a group of women. It is an organization committed to the care of its community through the development of its membership.