Lagniappe Fall 2024 by Renaissance Publishing

On the Cover:

President 2024-2025 Tara Waldron, President 2023-2024 Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn, President-Elect 2024-2025 Michelle Clarke Payne

Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

LAGNIAPPE STAFF

Editor: Megan Kurtz

Assistant Editors: Katie Odell and Erica Jackson

Writer: Cree Jourdain

Photographers: Delana Lynn Photography, Kendra Reade, Kristin Durand, Carol O'Connor

PUBLISHER STAFF

Art Director: Ali Sullivan

Production Manager: Rosa Balaguer

Production Designers: Ashley Pemberton and Czarlyn Ria Trinidad

Chief Executive Oﬃcer: Todd Matherne

President's Message

The mission of JLNO "is to advance women 's leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action , collaboration and training ." Our members are living our mission through key projects and partnerships , and we have plenty of upcoming opportunities for the community to get involved between our nonprofit board training program , financial literacy program , the JLNO Diaper Bank and fun , interactive events that fund our programming like TOUCH - A -TRUCK® and Holly Jolly Market Our team is already working hard on these and other programs as we prepare to close out our Centennial year this fall by working with other nonprofits to try and close economic and societal gaps that prevent women in our region from being able to grow educationally and financially and by giving out another $50,000 in grant funding to other area nonprofits

I look forward to working alongside our members and community as we continue to celebrate our Centennial throughout the remainder of 2024 and step boldly into our second century of service

Tara Waldron

JLNO President , 2024-2025

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Tara Waldron

President-Elect: Michelle Clarke Payne

Secretary: Melissa Nunn

Treasurer: Paige Farrell

Assistant Treasurer: Genevieve Anderson

Business Council Director: Shelby Wynne

Communications Council Director: Carol O’Connor

Community Council Director: Catherine Rigby

Membership Council Director: Tabitha Mangano

Planning & Development Council Director: LeeAnn Moss

Ways & Means Council Director: Christine Rigamer

Nominating Committee Chair: Erica Washington

Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Brady Whisnant

am honored and humbled to serve as the 101st President of the Junior League of New Orleans

Photo by: Delana Lynn Photography

A Cheers to A New Century And New Leadership

A century of service concludes and a new one begins for the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO). On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, League members and the greater community gathered at the League’s Carondelet Street Headquarters, for Centennial Cheers and the 100th Passing of the Gavel Ceremony This event was the first time since Hurricane Ida that JLNO returned to its headquarters to host the event The evening’s agenda honored a century of JLNO’s accomplishments and awarded scholarships and grants to members of the greater community, while setting forth the new League year’s leadership transition The room sparkled with excitement as JLNO members, clad in traditional green, mingled with the broader community, honoring the evening's distinguished guests, scholarship winners and grant recipients, all coming together to celebrate their remarkable achievements and contributions

Celebrating 100 years of service to New Orleans, the Centennial Year of JLNO showcased its commitment to the community with impactful initiatives including scholarships, the Community Assistance Fund (CAF) and The Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship This year, scholarships were awarded to four female nursing students at Louisiana State University and Herzing University, helping them advance their careers in healthcare. In honor of the centennial, JLNO pledged $100,000 to the CAF, which supports nonprofit organizations focused on improving the wellbeing of women in New Orleans At the event, six organizations received a total of $50,000 in grants, including St. Thomas Community Health Center, New Orleans Women and Children's Shelter, Teresa Talks, Emergency Legal Responders, Stem Heads and the Bright School for the Deaf Another grant cycle will distribute the remaining funds in fall 2024. Finally, Kaitlin Guerin of Lagniappe Baking Co was honored with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Fellowship Reflections on the League’s success over the year and century began as

2023 - 2024 League President Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn took to the podium to initiate the time honored tradition of Passing the Gavel to the leaders of the new League year The 2023 - 2024 League year took the theme to "reintroduce, reimagine, and reengage," and its accomplishments proved just that Over the year, the League welcomed over 90 New Members and celebrated 10 years of the Junior League Diaper Bank with the distribution of over 9.5 million products to individuals in need Llewellyn explained, “This year has seen dynamic engagement by our members We know that when women join JLNO, their yes here means a no somewhere else ”

For the 101st time, the helm of the League transitioned allowing the opportunity for new women to take the lead Those turning over from Active Members to Sustainers were all recognized in a new tradition of stating all their names before Llewellyn passed on her role to the 2024 - 2025 League President Tara Waldron and 2024 - 2025 President-Elect Michelle Clarke Payne Llewellyn described Waldron as “The right woman at the right time, with focused intentionality and ability to make others feel heard and appreciated ”

The pivot into a new century and the League’s 101st year are in strong hands with Waldron’s direction. “We’ve been able to overcome the obstacles of the pandemic and natural disaster which proves time and time again that the women of New Orleans can overcome any challenges that come our way,” Waldron expressed, setting forth her commitment to transparency and relevance to empower the Women Leading for a Greater New Orleans

Llewellyn concluded the evening by saying, “I truly believe that the best days of the Junior League of New Orleans are ahead of us.” They are already blooming with a strong foundation set forth by a century of service from the women whose collective impact paved the way

Empowering Our Community The Impact of the JLNO Diaper Bank

One in two families in the United States have difficulty providing their child with clean and dry diapers and 28 percent of parents experiencing diaper need reported skipping meals to afford diapers, according to The National Diaper Bank Network Diaper Check: 2023: Diaper Insecurity among U S Children and Families study This not only impacts the children of these families, but also impacts a family’s ability to earn a wage and find childcare, creating a ripple effect of poverty and distress

Since 2014, the Junior League of New Orleans Diaper Bank has collected and distributed diapers to help counter this staggering need As of August 2024, the League has distributed nearly 10 million diapers to the greater New Orleans community - a colossal milestone in helping curb the diaper crisis

In 2019, as a logical extension of the Diaper Bank, JLNO joined the Alliance for Period Supplies and began partnering with community organizations to distribute both period supplies and adult incontinence products to individuals in need

The Diaper Bank’s network of partners is an integral part of how diapers are distributed locally to meet the need where it’s greatest Some of our current 21 partners include Boys Town, CASA New Orleans, Community Center for Life, Covenant House, Cuddly Bear, First Pilgrims Baptist Church, Kenner Hispanic Resource Center, Luke’s House Clinic St Thomas Community Health Center, and ACCESS Pregnancy Center This fall, the JLNO Diaper Bank will open applications for new partners, particularly focused on partners who can offer direct distribution to the community Please keep an eye on our socials and website for more information

What is most needed?

• Size 2T/ 3T and 4T pull ups

• Adult Incontinence diapers: M , L , XL

• Period pads

How can you contribute?

• Donate in person

Drop-off disposable diapers of any size (including open packages) at JLNO Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70118, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am until 4:30pm or at JLNO Diaper Bank Warehouse, 1109 North Al Davis Road, Unit A, New Orleans, LA 70123, Wednesdays, 8:30 a m until 4:30 p m

• Donate via online order

Already ordering from Walmart or Amazon? You can ship directly to JLNO!

• Donate dollars

Make a tax deductible donation to JLNO specifically for diapers This can be done via our website or by a mailed check

• Host a Diaper Drive

Think your work colleagues, church small group or child’s class might want to help? The JLNO would be glad to help you arrange an organized effort! Just send an email to diaperbank@jlno org for more information

• Volunteer

It takes a lot of hands to prepare our diapers for distribution If you or your organization would be interested in volunteering, please email diaperbank@jlno org

• Share

Unable to donate, but have some friends or followers who might? Share some of our posts to your social media and encourage friends and loved ones to help fill this important need in our community

Please join the Junior League of New Orleans in empowering women and supporting the ongoing needs of the community through the JLNO Diaper Bank .

To learn more about the ways you can support the JLNO Diaper Bank and help end diaper need in the greater New Orleans community, please visit jlno.org/diaperbank .

Celebrating Resilience Covenant House New Orleans Brings Joy to Youth in Need

According to Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center, more than 3 million cases of child abuse are reported annually, and there are an estimated two unreported incidents for every reported incident. Statisticians from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) report that Orleans, Caddo and East Baton Rouge parishes account for having the highest number of juvenile trafficking victims in the state Overall, it is estimated that 1 in 7 runaways will be a victim of trafficking In addressing the pressing issue of unhoused youth and abuse, Covenant House New Orleans serves young people aged 16 to 22 who seek refuge from such circumstances For more than thirty years, the center has served as a safe space for victims of human trafficking, physical and psychological abuse, and those who are unhoused It provides essential services, including shelter, meals, educational and vocational training, and on-site medical care through Tulane University’s School of Medicine Recognizing the complexities of their residents’ lives, Covenant House has also developed the Rites of Passage Program, which empowers young adults with financial literacy training and mentorship, helping them navigate the transition into independence In an uplifting collaboration, the Junior League of New Orleans has teamed up with Covenant House to throw monthly birthday parties for the residents

“Covenant House and its residents value its relationship with the Junior League of New Orleans Many residents have never celebrated their birthdays. Some move into the facility on their 18th birthday with their belongings in a garbage bag, because their foster parents put them out once they are unable to receive funding for housing them The birthday parties are a highlight and they look forward to them ” says Rheneisha Robertson, Executive Director of Covenant House New Orleans

To celebrate, League members transform the dining room into a reception hall filled with bright balloons, colorful birthday banners, vibrant streamers and other cheerful decor for its residents Bundt cakes and ice cream are served as members play multiple rounds of Bingo with League volunteers Gifts are presented to the celebrants, and exciting door prizes are issued to the lucky winners of Bingo. “The excitement on everyone’s faces makes the event unforgettable,” says Lindsey Labadie, co-chair of the Covenant House committee for JLNO

Marquesa Gilmore, co-chair of JLNO’s Covenant House committee, finds hosting these parties an enriching experience “The Junior League has given me a great opportunity to work alongside phenomenal ladies as we host monthly birthday parties for the residents at Covenant House I love planning parties and advocating for our youth. Getting to know the residents, their likes and dislikes, life experiences, and their outlook on life has opened my eyes to their perspectives Many of them do not have their birthdays acknowledged So, this gives us a space to celebrate them The joyous expressions on their faces are priceless!” says Gilmore

The Junior League of New Orleans is proud of its partnership with Covenant House and committed to working together to advocate for those in need, transform lives and bring a little joy and celebration to the residents during their birthday month

JLNO Members hosted one of its monthly birthday parties for residents at Covenant House on August 27, 2024.

Photo by Kendra Reade

Building Confidence in Caregiving JLNO’s Award -Winning Safe Sitter® Program Extends into the School Year

Every summer, the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) offers its Safe Sitter® program for kids in grades 6 to 8, providing them with essential life skills related to childcare and emergency responsiveness This day- long course teaches valuable techniques, such as how to handle choking incidents and respond during severe weather. Participants engage in hands- on simulations with CPR/choking rescue mannequins, ensuring the skills they learn are practical and effective

The Safe Sitter® program, established over 40 years ago by Patricia A . Keener, M D., and adopted by JLNO in the 1990 s in conjunction with The Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital, continues to be a key resource for teaching young adolescents life and safety skills in New Orleans.

The program includes a comprehensive handbook covering childcare safety, first aid and essential business skills Through both group and smaller sessions, the instructors promote understanding and curiosity about caregiving roles At the end of the training , participants receive a certificate of completion, which stands as proof of their newly acquired skills

Starting in 2023, JLNO extended the availability of Safe Sitter® classes throughout the school year, thoughtfully coordinating with school holidays With this change, the Junior League of New Orleans was recognized as a Gold

Level Safe Sitter® provider for training more than 125 students in a year - a goal the committee hopes to achieve again this year. The expanded schedule allows even more adolescents the opportunity to attend the program and become certified In line with this, the League will host additional Safe Sitter® classes in the spring on March 8 and 9, the weekend after Mardi Gras JLNO is also offering private classes to groups upon request Parents interested in having their children certified as Safe Sitters® can visit www.jlno.org or email training@jlno.org for upcoming class registration. For inquiries or group bookings (e g., church, scout and school groups), please contact training@jlno org

A Call to Action on the Status of Women in New Orleans

A crowd gathered at the Junior League of New Orleans at noon on Wednesday, Aug 14 as the JLNO Headquarters released its centennial gift to the region – The Status of Women in New Orleans 2024 Study– via a press release that included an overview of the findings by the executive director of the Newcomb Institute, Anita Raj, and comments on the report’s impact on the future of the region by League President Tara Waldron, New Orleans Health Department Deputy Director Meshawn Siddiq and New Orleans City Councilmember Lesli Harris

“We do not want this report to sit on the shelf,” Waldron explained JLNO is excited to bestow this report to the local community and provide an opportunity to bring together nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and lawmakers to delve deeply into the data contained therein and develop

ideas, collaborations, and solutions to the priority areas identified in the study. In cooperation with the Newcomb Institute and Women United of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, JLNO will embark on a series of facilitated Community Convenings, the first of which will take place at JLNO Headquarters on Friday, Nov. 15 from 8:30 a .m. to 4:00 p.m. Dr. Toya BarnesTeamer of Teamer Strategy Group will facilitate the November convening

Be on the lookout for the Winter edition of Lagniappe , as that commemorative edition will include a summary of the findings and initial thoughts from the November Community Convening. If you or your organization wishes to be part of the November convening , please email 100 yearimpact@jlno . org .

League Faces

and social

JLNO Members kicked off the 2024-2025 League year at Port Orleans on Wednesday, June 12 for our monthly Front Porch Wednesday event These family-friendly events are open to all JLNO members, prospective members, and friends and family

JLNO Members participate in the first diaper sorting volunteer shift of the 2024-2025 League year Members can volunteer in a number of ways that support the work and mission of the JLNO Diaper Bank Photo by

Representatives of the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO), Tulane University Newcomb Institute, New Orleans Health Department and Women United of United Way of Southeast Louisiana convened for the announcement of The Status of Women in New Orleans 2024 Study The first in a series of facilitated Community Convenings to share the findings will take place at JLNO Headquarters on Friday, Nov 15 from 8:30 a m to 4:00 p m Photo by Jeﬀ Strout

JLNO Members joined the Esprit committee for a 45-minute barre class at Barre3® Uptown on Saturday, July 20, enjoying an opportunity for physical activity

connection Photo by Kristin Durand

Carol O’Connor

(L-R) 2023-2024 Community Council Director Rachel Robinson, 2023-2024 Communications Council Director Allison Shapiro Dandry and 2024-2025 Communications Council Director Carol O’Connor enjoy the historic centennial celebration of the Junior League of New Orleans at the Orpheum Theater Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

Photo by Carol O’Connor

In May, the gavel officially passed from 2023-2024 JLNO President, Ashley Llewellyn (right), to 2024-2025 JLNO President, Tara Waldron (left). Photo by Delana Lynn Photography