Montgomery Education Foundation

By Kathleen Penney

The Montgomery Education Foundation (MEF) believes that all children deserve a quality education. Community leaders in Montgomery recognized the importance of supporting the public school system and MEF was founded in 2000 as a Central Alabama Community Foundation program – an investment in our children, community, and future. The MGM READS program seeks to provide underserved students and families in the Montgomery community with culturally relevant books and literacy support materials. Over the summer, volunteers assisted with packaging over 10,000 books for distribution to local schools in the River Region through the MGM READS program. These volunteers assisted with creating weekly book packages that were organized by theme and grade level. The books included unique stories about leaders, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. The children were challenged to discuss the readings through questions that help with reading comprehension skills and encourage the children to enjoy reading.

Committee Chair Keyarrow Moore said, “Being a mother myself, it’s beautiful to see the organization (JLM) giving back to Montgomery Public Schools in such an impactful way. The books are really awesome reads that the students will actually enjoy and [MEF and JLM] go a step further by implementing a program that actually gets hands-on with the reading.”

Our volunteers have continued to provide books to increase school and classroom libraries, encourage reading during the school year by reading with students, and help organize ‘Family Reading Nights’. Most recently our members have been volunteering at ED Nixon Elementary doing one-onone reading sessions with children in various grades.

At the Junior League of Montgomery, we strive to support various local community organizations that provide programs that fit our organizational goal of “strengthening families.” Thank you to the entire committee for their dedication to providing their time and resources that allow our schools, communities, and families to succeed.

By Kandace Besteder, Women of Refined Gold committee chair

The mission of Women of Refined Gold (WORG) is to educate, empower, and end repeat cycles of unhealthy relationships. Since this organization’s founding, over 100 women have been assisted by providing shelter, safehaven, food, clothing, and more to help them transition from abuse. In addition to providing tangible items, WORG also hosts education events in the community. Survivors, including teenage girls, impacted by domestic violence, are offered resources to learn and reclaim their lives.

During our placement the committee worked tirelessly to redecorate the home and complete needed repairs for women and children to reside comfortably in the home, as well as assisted with several events.

Personally, having known women that are domestic abuse survivors and recently losing a family friend to domestic abuse, I hold this placement close to my heart. Being able to see the transformation that has taken place each time we have completed work in the transition home does something to my heart. My prayer is that the organization continues to grow and can help hundreds more women.

Join the Junior League of Montgomery on March 10, 2023, for this year's Women's Leadership Summit, presented by Commissioner Ronda Walker!

Visit Event Brite for tickets or for more information.

The 2023 theme is Embracing Ambition, which focuses on embracing the leader within each of us and challenging the stereotypes that hold us back.

This year's highlights include:

Opening Session, featuring Ronda Walker, Montgomery County Commissioner. Lunch includes a keynote address from Kerry Schrader, the Co-Founder/ CEO of Mixtroz. Kerry is also the 37th Black Female to raise one million dollars in the tech industry pre-seeded.

Panel discussion on Behind the Mask: Vulnerability in Leadership. Networking Session provided by Mixtroz to conclude the day.