The Junior League of Gaston County
Women Building Better Communities
Community Impact Projects
Volunteers Creed
Though my troubles and my worries
are sometimes all that I can see -
still I always must remember
life's not only about me.
Other souls are also hurting
and I know that it's God's plan
to reach out to help another -
to extend them my hand.
With this purpose as my focus -
to be a comfort to a friend -
all my troubles and my worries
seem to fade out in the end.
It is one of God's true lessons -
how my walk is meant to be -
true happiness I find when
life's not only about me.
~Tom Krause~
Community Impact:
The Junior League of Gaston County impacts the community with its broad scope of volunteer support providing over 2,000 volunteer hours in the last year through its many projects and programs.
The focus areas of the Junior League of Gaston County include:
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Health and education of women and children
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Women in leadership
The
Junior League of Gaston County's commitment to training provides its
volunteers with invaluable learning opportunities, ranging from
leadership and organizational development training to community
program instruction and nonprofit fundraising skills. Through this
unique curriculum, members learn how to not only manage and train
volunteers, but also how to collaborate with community agencies to
maximize a volunteer’s impact and thus aid a greater number of
disadvantaged women and children.
Further, Junior League of Gaston County members use this training to go on to serve on the boards of
nonprofit agencies and commissions, advocate on issues of public policy
and organize model community programs that address need areas to build
better communities.
Bit of Hope Ranch
Bit of Hope Ranch, a non-profit organization, is located on 45 acres in South Gastonia, NC. The mission of Bit of Hope Ranch is to reach, rescue and restore broken children, families and horses. They create a safe place of love, hope and healing to bridge each person and horse, equipping each with inner strength to pursue their life purpose. The JLGC provides assistance with mentoring, training new volunteers, planning activities, technical assistance and public relations.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Their curricula addresses all aspects of girls' development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being. The JLGC assists in organizing events, coaching and being a role model for local members of the Girls on the Run. (return to menu)
Holy Angels
Holy Angels is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, NC, dedicated to providing a home of unconditional love and unlimited possibilities for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Holy Angels is well-known and respected in North Carolina and around the country for its innovative programs to help meet the changing needs of people with developmental disabilities, particularly those who are medically fragile. The private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation employs about 250 people, and provides programs and services to 77 children and adults, ranging in age from 2 years to 68 years old.
Some volunteer opportunities include work with residents, involve assisting administrative staff or doing landscaping and lawn work, or bringing a pet to visit with residents for Pet Therapy. Volunteers are also needed to help with the Great Adventures Outreach club and at Cherubs Café and Candy Bouquets. (return to menu)
Kid's in the Kitchen
Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen is an Association-wide initiative of The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition.
Inspired by the Junior League of Calgary's Junior Chefs program, the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen initiative began in 2006 with the goal of engaging kids in the preparation of healthy meals as a means to educate them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. Junior Leagues in more than 200 locations provide lessons and demonstrations related to preparation of healthy meals and snacks in partnership with local community organizations, chefs and nutritionists. The JLGC provides guidelines and materials to support the success of educational and motivational activities. Education is key with recipes, tips on nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles.(return to menu)
Loray Girls' Home
S.O.C.K.S.
Serving Our Community with Kindness in Springwood or S.O.C.K.S. is a volunteer-run crisis assistance ministry serving an area around the Hickory Grove Road from Spencer Mountain through Lowell, down highway 7 through McAdenville and including North Belmont. S.O.C.K.S. provides food, clothes, utilities, medicine and medical supplies to those in need. S.O.C.K.S. also provides power and rental assistance when funds are available. Social Security Cards and income verification are required for people to receive donations. Our JLGC placement responsibilities include helping at the facility where donations are received and sorted, stocking shelves and office work. (return to menu)
The Shelter
The Mission of The Shelter of Gaston County is to empower victims of domestic violence by providing emergency shelter, advocacy, and support on their journey to an abuse free life; and to lead the community in raising awareness of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. They offer a wide variety of services to the community, including a 24-hour crisis line, emergency safe shelter, court advocacy, information and referral, linkage to community resources, bilingual services, safety assessment and planning, support groups, free training for health and human service professionals in our community, and assistance in filing victims compensation paperwork. Within the Shelter, they offer residents all of the above services as well as counseling, parenting class, temporary child care, assistance with transportation, as well as providing for their basic needs (food, toiletries, clothing, and school supplies) free of charge. The JLGC assists as office assistants, planning special events, helping with fundraisers and conducting art and craft projects.(return to menu)
Bit of Hope Ranch, a non-profit organization, is located on 45 acres in South Gastonia, NC. The mission of Bit of Hope Ranch is to reach, rescue and restore broken children, families and horses. They create a safe place of love, hope and healing to bridge each person and horse, equipping each with inner strength to pursue their life purpose. The JLGC provides assistance with mentoring, training new volunteers, planning activities, technical assistance and public relations.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a non-profit prevention program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. Their curricula addresses all aspects of girls' development - their physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual well-being. The JLGC assists in organizing events, coaching and being a role model for local members of the Girls on the Run. (return to menu)
Holy Angels
Holy Angels is a private, nonprofit corporation, founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, NC, dedicated to providing a home of unconditional love and unlimited possibilities for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Holy Angels is well-known and respected in North Carolina and around the country for its innovative programs to help meet the changing needs of people with developmental disabilities, particularly those who are medically fragile. The private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation employs about 250 people, and provides programs and services to 77 children and adults, ranging in age from 2 years to 68 years old.
Some volunteer opportunities include work with residents, involve assisting administrative staff or doing landscaping and lawn work, or bringing a pet to visit with residents for Pet Therapy. Volunteers are also needed to help with the Great Adventures Outreach club and at Cherubs Café and Candy Bouquets. (return to menu)
Kid's in the Kitchen
Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen is an Association-wide initiative of The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition.
Inspired by the Junior League of Calgary's Junior Chefs program, the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen initiative began in 2006 with the goal of engaging kids in the preparation of healthy meals as a means to educate them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. Junior Leagues in more than 200 locations provide lessons and demonstrations related to preparation of healthy meals and snacks in partnership with local community organizations, chefs and nutritionists. The JLGC provides guidelines and materials to support the success of educational and motivational activities. Education is key with recipes, tips on nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles.(return to menu)
Loray Girls' Home
Loray Girls’ Home, Inc. was established in 1986 to serve youth in need of a stable, caring environment. Since that time LGH has served well over 100 Gaston County youth in need of placement outside of their home due to abuse, neglect or delinquency. They provide a long-term residential placement for females ages 12-20 that allows the opportunity to address the educational, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of each resident. As a League member, we assist these young women by becoming mentors and conducting informational workshops or activities.(return to menu)
S.O.C.K.S.
Serving Our Community with Kindness in Springwood or S.O.C.K.S. is a volunteer-run crisis assistance ministry serving an area around the Hickory Grove Road from Spencer Mountain through Lowell, down highway 7 through McAdenville and including North Belmont. S.O.C.K.S. provides food, clothes, utilities, medicine and medical supplies to those in need. S.O.C.K.S. also provides power and rental assistance when funds are available. Social Security Cards and income verification are required for people to receive donations. Our JLGC placement responsibilities include helping at the facility where donations are received and sorted, stocking shelves and office work. (return to menu)
The Shelter
The Mission of The Shelter of Gaston County is to empower victims of domestic violence by providing emergency shelter, advocacy, and support on their journey to an abuse free life; and to lead the community in raising awareness of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. They offer a wide variety of services to the community, including a 24-hour crisis line, emergency safe shelter, court advocacy, information and referral, linkage to community resources, bilingual services, safety assessment and planning, support groups, free training for health and human service professionals in our community, and assistance in filing victims compensation paperwork. Within the Shelter, they offer residents all of the above services as well as counseling, parenting class, temporary child care, assistance with transportation, as well as providing for their basic needs (food, toiletries, clothing, and school supplies) free of charge. The JLGC assists as office assistants, planning special events, helping with fundraisers and conducting art and craft projects.(return to menu)
