Project EmpowHer

The Junior League of Oklahoma City continues to work tirelessly to support its signature project, Project EmpowHer. JLOC currently has 36 community partners. During the 2022-23 League year, Project EmpowHer distributed 50,985 pads and 12,760 tampons to its partners and individuals in need! Project EmpowHer was led this year by Chair Amanda McCellon and Vice Chair Jenefar de Leon Cossey.

Project EmpowHer was busy this year. Project EmpowHer Committee Members volunteered with OG&E and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s International Women’s Day Fun Run and period product donation drive, benefiting Project EmpowHer. Jenefar and Stephanie Hinton, Community VP, spoke to attendees about Project EmpowHer and how community and business partners genuinely make an impact to end period poverty in Oklahoma City.

JLOC Members also supported an OG&E and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s Period Product Packing Party in late March. Those organizations donated and packed products for Project EmpowHer. All donations gathered will be donated to JLOC community partners, Pivot and the Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Beginning with the 2023-24 League year, Project EmpowHer will no longer just be a community placement, but will focus efforts to be a League-wide signature project.

Saying Goodbye to Dress for Success

JLOC’s Dress for Success community project had to sunset mid-year due to a realignment with the Department of Corrections. This realignment had all individuals at the Oklahoma City facility reassigned or moved to a facility that was over two hours away, leaving JLOC unable to complete our commitment to the organization as it stood. While this was a true loss to our Membership as a Community Project, the sunset went smoothly. We reassigned all members to their next choice in their Community Project or they were placed on a LOA as requested, one Member was working on a transfer to a new League.

Assistant Director for Dress for Success

Melissa Baez shared with us via email: “We are so heartbroken about all the changes and hope we can find an opportunity to work with you all again in the future. Please let the volunteers know how much we appreciate them and all the work they've put in. This was a great project for us, and you did so much for our clients.”

Supporting Healthy Practices with YWCA

YWCA Oklahoma City works to empower new beginnings for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in our community. JLOC volunteers have the unique opportunity make a difference by encouraging women and children in their time of crisis. At weekly project sessions, volunteers share information on topics such as nutrition, health and exercise, or self-care and often plan a fun craft or bring a healthy snack to share. Volunteers aim to provide a positive, safe space where YWCA participants can renew their spirit, learn new skills and create fun memories with JLOC volunteers. This year, JLOC volunteers were led by Co-Project Managers, Danyale Matthews and Emily Carmichael.

JLOC volunteers, left to right: Tianna Carter, Stephanie Hinton, Emily Carmichael, Abbie Ruckman, Elizabeth Davidson supported children and families with coloring and activity books.