2022-2023
AN N UAL
REPORT
PRESIDENT ’ S LE T TER DEAR JLO MEMBERS, Since its inception, the Junior League of Omaha has prepared women to lead. As a supporter of the Junior League, you know that leaders from our organization have been instrumental in creating and building many of the programs in our metropolitan area. Over the years, these programs have focused on childhood welfare and education, the promotion of the arts, and support resources for parents. The Junior League of Omaha is committed to developing the potential of women to become civic leaders and valued community volunteers. We provide training in leadership, community needs assessment, parliamentary procedure, project development and implementation, strategic planning, communications advocacy, and fundraising. Equipped with this hands-on training, Junior League of Omaha members make an impact in the Omaha community! The Junior League of Omaha has a 105-year history of meeting Omaha’s needs with an enthusiastic, well-trained volunteer force. Now, we’re turning that power to address one of Omaha’s most critical and unmet needs – hunger and access to healthy food. How does the League help? Kitchen Connections, a program created, financially supported, and run by members of the Junior League of Omaha, is an innovative, community-building way to teach home cooking to young adults and opportunity youth. League mentors pair up with young adults with the help of our partners Project Everlast, Child Saving Institute, and Completely Kids, where they learn healthy new recipes and nutrition basics, cook together in a safe, fun, and friendly environment, share meals, and create community. At the end of each quarter, young adults receive a complete kitchen kit, including pots, pans, dishes, utensils, food storage, and small appliances to continue their new cooking skills. The League will continue to strive towards our mission of training women leaders in our community, led by our new mission statement adopted in the Spring of 2023. As I wrap up my first year, I thank each of you for everything you have done for me, our Members, and our community. We are truly better together, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with you again for another year!
With Gratitude,
Lisa Buckentine
OUR MISSION The Junior League of Omaha is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
FINANCIAL S OUR LEAGUE YEAR IN NUMBERS
2 02 2-2 02 3 Revenue
$160,319
Expenses
$226,406
Net Income
-$66,087
FUNDR A I S E R RE V E NUE Fundraiser
18%
Revenue
Bargain Bash
$10,928
JLO Classic
$13,759
Savor the Night
$26,518
Mini-Fundraisers*
$7,957
Annual Fund Revenue
$12,830
Papa Johns Grant
$5,000
Total Fundraising Revenue
$77,992
14% 34%
7% 17% 10%
* This number includes: Sherwood, Minted, Kendra Scott & Amazon Smile.
PROJEC T E XPE N S E S Annual Cookbook Cookbooks Expense**
Membership Conferences Other $49,922
NI Excluding Cookbook Expense $16,165 **Cookbooks were sold at discounts and donated to local community partners and organization, the expense reflects a realization of an adjustment to our balance sheet for the COGS of each book donated.
NAM Sponsorship
$500
DEIB Expenses
AJLI Fall Forum
$516
Kitchen Connections $4,929
Annual Conference
$2,600
$5,006
OUR IMPAC T
30
K ITCHE N K IT S DI S TRIBUTE D
16
15
TR A ININGS
COMMUNIT Y ORGS PA R TNE RE D WITH
TOTA L VOLUNTE E R HOUR S
TOTA L S HIF T VOLUNTE E R HOUR S
9 913 HOURS
76 4 HOURS
Total Shift Hours
Total DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging) Shift Hours
764
76 148
Total Fundraising Shift Hours
9149
238
Total DIAD (Done-in-a-Day) Shift Hours
302
Total Placement Volunteer Hours
Total Food Access Shift Hours*
*Kitchen Connections & Food Access
DE MOGR A PHIC S 18 NEW MEMBERS 113 ACTIVE MEMBERS 363 SUSTAINERS Graphic is depicting percentages out of 100%, not total members
2022-2023 Management Team
2022-2023 Board of Directors
Executive Vice President - Jillian Humphries
President - Lisa Buckentine
Executive Vice President-Elect - Catherine Bogacz
Financial Vice President - Ashley Stevens
Finance Manager - Julia Rasell
Recording Secretary - Morgan Boler
Recording Secretary - Morgan Boler
Corresponding Secretary - Jess Winter
Communications Council Director - Allison Stebbins
Executive Vice President - Jillian Humphries
Communications Council Asst. Director - Katie Cunningham
Nominating Chair - Veronica Ploetz
Community Impact Council Director - Shannon Lang
Bylaws Chair - Alicia Jones
Community Impact Council Asst. Director - Mary Kate Gulick
Member-at-Large - Emily Barr
Fundraising Council Director - Molly Nelsen
Member-at-Large - Sarah Hart
Fundraising Council Asst. Director - Laurel Oetken
Member-at-Large - Fernanda Reutzel
Membership Council Director - Anne Bowen
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Vice President - Stephanie Kidd
Membership Council Asst. Director - Caitlin Knopik Bylaws Manager - Beth Kalal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Chair - Michelle Nelson Robbins
Sustainer Advisors - Wanda Gottschalk & Christine Nikunen
Sustainer Engagement Chair - Allison Zach Sustain Advisors - Cathi Arnold & Cindy Guenzel
18 New Members to Actives! Kari Bednarz
Molly Frederickson
Madeline Renner-Navarrette
Aretha Boex
Samantha Hamrick
Samantha Roh
Taylor Brunmeier
Courtney Harder
Lisa Rutherford
Monika Donahue
Claire Jang
Jacklyn Straub
Cassandra Fedoirs
Tamara Johnson
Haley Warner
Gabby Formas
Halsie Kisker
Kelsey Zindel
SPOTLIGHT
DEIB SUMMIT The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Committee kept busy during 2022-2023 with a variety of trainings and educational programs. The League year included: Crip Camp Movie Club and Sisters in Hate Book Club, as well as an allLeague training on recognizing implicit bias. Our largest DEIB event was our DEIB Summit, held in October on campus at Creighton University, featuring speakers Veta Jeffrey, former President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce; Nancy Williams, President and CEO of No More Empty Pots; Toni Monette, nonprofit and public policy professional; Rachel Fox, Founder of You Go Girl Omaha; and a panel of women leaders in Omaha.
The 2022 DEIB Summit was a great success. Our members learned about the importance of diversity in the nonprofit world while hearing stories and experiences from diverse local nonprofit leaders. We’re proud that we can aid our members in their DEIB growth while also helping them connect better with the community. Alyssa Miller, DEIB Vice Chair
* Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
COMMITTEE UPDATE:
DONE- IN-A- DAY The Junior League of Omaha has been a steadfast force for positive change through our Done-in-A-Day (DIAD) program. DIAD* is designed to create tangible change within the community through short-term projects, and throughout the past year, our volunteers have done just that. As the League looks back on our accomplishments, it’s clear that the DIAD* program has made a significant impact on the Omaha community. Through 46 volunteer impact shifts, one of which included the packing of 100, three-month kits for Access Period, and the dedication of the DIAD* Committee with a total of 135 hours volunteered, the Junior League of Omaha has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of those it serves. We are so grateful for all of our community partners who allowed us the opportunity to support their causes:
* Done-in-a-Day
The Junior League of Omaha hopes to set an inspiring example for others to follow, showing that collective action, no matter how small, can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of individuals and the community as a whole.
SPOTLIGHT
KITCHEN CONNEC TION S Our new signature program, Kitchen Connections, is a healthy food mentorship program. We partner with young adults building a life to establish healthy eating habits, learn lifelong home-cooking skills, and equip their new homes with everything they need to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their families. At its core, Kitchen Connections stands as a bridge – partnering with young adults who are in the process of establishing their lives, the program becomes an anchor of support. It goes beyond simply imparting cooking skills; it instills the significance of healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. The program resonates with a two-fold approach: educating young adults about nutritious food choices and empowering them with the essential skills to create wholesome meals at home. Furthermore, Kitchen Connections extends its reach by furnishing their new homes with the tools they need to prepare these meals, reinforcing the idea that the journey toward a healthier lifestyle is not a solitary one. Central to Kitchen Connections is the involvement of passionate League volunteers who serve as Food Mentors. These mentors, embodying the spirit of community and camaraderie, meet with young adults throughout each cohort’s duration. The meetings go beyond cooking demonstrations; they are moments of genuine connection, where laughter and stories are exchanged alongside the ingredients.
In a world that often feels disconnected, these meetings become touchpoints of shared humanity. Through the universal language of food, barriers dissolve and bridges are built. Volunteers impart not only cooking techniques but also life skills. The program equips young adults with the knowledge and tools needed to embrace healthy eating as an integral part of their lives, fostering sustainability and independence.
The first year of Kitchen Connections saw significant impact in the lives of the young people we served. One family at a time, here’s what we saw in our pre- and post-mentorship surveys:
Cohort 1 •
Feel their meals are 2x more healthy than when they started
•
17% more confident shopping for food
•
47% more confident preparing meals for themselves
•
56% more confident storing food
•
80% more equipped to prepare healthy meals at home
•
Some decrease in fast food
Cohort 2 •
80% increase in how healthy they perceived their
Kitchen Connections Partners JLO has partnered with three core organizations in Omaha to work with their young people and use their space for cooking sessions.
PROJECT EVERLAST This program of Nebraska Children and Families Foundation focuses on equipping young adults aging out of foster care with the connections, skills and resources they need to launch successful, independent lives.
meals to be
CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE
•
140% more confident shopping for food
•
114% more confident preparing meals for themselves
CSI’s Independent Living Skills program provides young adults the skills they need to transition from foster care to independence.
•
175% more confident storing food
•
180% more equipped to prepare healthy meals at home
•
Increase in how often they cooked their own meals
•
Decrease in fast food
C O M P L E T E LY K I D S In addition to providing the cooking space for Kitchen Connections, Completely Kids also provides independent life skills classes for the young adults that it serves.
SPOTLIGHT
FUNDR AISING JLO Classic
Savor the Night
The second annual JLO Classic golf event was a success! Held September 11, 2022 at Topgolf Omaha, attendees enjoyed delicious drinks, a buffet, and door prizes. This year, 19 bays were filled, raising over $6,400 for the Junior League of Omaha. Thank you to event sponsors Lisa Buckentine and Samantha Salomon!
The inaugural Savor the Night event brought a coastal celebration to Omaha.
The third annual JLO Classic was held on October 8, 2023 at TopGolf
Featuring Heirloom Fine Foods Executive Chef Shelley Elson-Roza and her specially curated menu drawing inspiration from the sea, the nearly 130 guests enjoyed elegant music from pianist Karly Jurgensen and a unique silent auction. The event raised a total of $26,517.79, with nearly $9,000 going directly back to the Junior League of Omaha, an excellent result for a first-year fundraiser. Savor the Night will continue to raise support for the work of the League this spring 2024. The date, location, and theme are to be announced.
Annual Fund & Sponsors
Bargain Bash The fifth annual Bargain Bash saw continued growth with its second year at the Hope Center for Kids. The event was held March 25-26, 2023. The pre-party sale was the largest ever with 62 tickets sold. Thank you to event sponsors Thermo King Christensen and King’s Moving! The sixth annual Bargain Bash will be held on March 23-24, 2024. If you are interested in donating gently used items, please contact bargainbash@jlomaha.org for upcoming drop-off dates.
Throughout the League year, the Donor Engagement committee raised over $7,957 through a number of mini-fundraisers (Kendra Gives Back, TAGG, GivingTuesday, Minted, Sherwood Forest Farms, etc.). The Committee also secured a $5,000 grant from the Papa John’s Foundation for the League’s signature program, Kitchen Connections. An additional $12,805 was raised via donations to the Junior League of Omaha’s Annual Fund. Established in 1990, the Annual Fund raises money to support the League and assists in our endeavors to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community. All donations to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible and every donation makes a difference, regardless of amount.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS! Alec Rahe
Diane Nelson
Kathy Gerber
Omaha Storm Chasers
Alexandra Friedrichs
Diny Landen
Kelli Thompson LLC
Omaha Symphony
Alison Burcham
Elizabeth Murphy
Kelsey Spackler
Pam Hoesing
Allison Haverkamp
Emily Barr
Kendra Scott LLC
Pamela Brandin
Alyson Manning
Emily Kozlik
Kerri Lewis
Pinot’s Palette
Alyssa Chafe
Emily Lauritzen
KidGlov
Quantum Workplace
Amanda LaPuzza
Family First Chiropractic
Kimberly Banat
Rachel Jesske
Amber Gard
Four Sisters Boutique
Kimberly Falk
Railcar Modern American Kitchen
Amy Parks
Frost Media Group LLC
Kimberly Johnson
Renee Black
Ann Hodgson
Gail Veitzer
Kirsten Soneson
Rita Bartlett
Ann Stinson
Gwen Olney
Lakelyn Hogan
Roger Humphries Photography
Anne Jetter
Heather Vanourney
Laura Vodvarka
Ruth Keene
Anne Lieben
Heirloom Fine Foods
Lauren Gilmore
Sam Hohman
Anne Medlock
Hope Center for Kids, Inc.
Lauren Hellman
Samantha Salomon
Ashley Stevens
Jacklyn Straub
Leslie Mayo
Sandra Bruns
Better Omaha & Gardens Real Estate/ Omaha Home Pros Team
Jacqueline Christianson
Lexie Frahm
Sarah Carse
Jane Gilbert
Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm
Sarah McGowan
Janet Anderson
Lindsey Tonniges
Sarah Patterson
Janet Mardis
Lindsey Natvig
Sarah Wolnisty
Jean Bell
Lisa Buckentine
Sarika Griffin
Jeanne Salerno
Lisa Gravelle
SB Consultants
Jen Bartelt
Lisa Russell
Sharon Marvin-Griffin
Jennifer Peters
Maggie McGlade Palmer
Shelley Siemers
Jennifer Schroen
Marcia Hinkle
Stacy Wilson
Jennifer Zatechka
Maria Minderman
Steffanie Buckley
Jessica Dugger
Mariana Myers
Stephanie Gier
Jill Bydalek
Marilyn Woodbury
Susan Chenoweth
JLO Foundation
Mary Dobleman
Ted & Wally’s
Jodie Mackintosh
Mary Johnson
Teresa Cyr
Joey Hansen
Mary Kate Gulick
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Judy Clark
Mary Trecek
Theresa Jehlik
Julia Von Riesen
Megan Addison
Thermo King Christensen
Julie Lyons
Megan Riebe Reay
TopGolf
Julie Skradski
Meghan Hope
Traci Gemberling
Justin King
Michael Morris
Vanilla Suede Designs
Kara Focht
Myrna Krohn
Victoria Halgren
Karen Burkley
Nancy Whitted
Village Pointe Shopping Center
Karen Nelsen
Nola Schettler
Wanda Gottschalk
Karina Kiewel
Oliver & Tate
Wax Buffalo
Kate Pitschka
Omaha Community Foundation
Donors are from June 2022-May 2023
Katie Triplett
Omaha Community Playhouse
Bobby’s Dancewear Brenda Christensen Brenda Smith Caitlin Gustafson Cameron Kroll Capehart Family Dentistry Carolyn Anderson Carolyn Meissner Castle & Associates-American Family Insurance Catherine Bogacz Catherine Harrington Cedar Omaha Chaley Chandler Christine Nikunen Cindy Heider Community Foundation of Western Iowa Connie Spellman Danielle Hershey Darlene Mueller Dawn Buchanan Deanna Bosselman Deb Schmadeke Debbie Hart
SPOTLIGHT
THE FOUNDATION The Foundation board was established 26 years ago by a forward-thinking group of Junior League of Omaha Sustainers. The Foundation was established to provide a permanent source of income for the League. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and are invested to provide long-term capital appreciation and income. Each year, the Foundation board makes an appeal to Sustaining and Active Members of the League for their financial contributions to the Foundation.
17 2 DONORS
$2 3 , 5 87 RAISED
$ 14 ,0 0 0 GIFT TO THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF OMAHA
6 0 GUE S T S PAST PRESIDENT LUNCHEON IN OCTOBER
SPOTLIGHT
ANNUAL MEE TING AWARDS Distinguished Sustainer RECIPIENT
INTRODUCED BY
Judith Olson
Lisa Olson
Judie’s lifelong partnership with her husband, Steve, began as teenagers and continued through school, where she was honored as ROTC Colonel’s Lady at Central High. Together, they’ve been catalysts in the community for over 60 years, known for bringing people together to make a positive impact. Judie has been deeply involved in the Junior League of Omaha, demonstrating her dedication to community service and leadership. Her contributions to this organization and her work in founding the Friends Forever Guild for the Nebraska Humane Society have left a lasting legacy of compassion and service in the community. Despite her preference for working behind the scenes, Judie has received numerous awards for her contributions, and her impact is felt not only in the Junior League but also in her family’s commitment to community involvement.
Sustainer Hall of Fame
Women to Watch
RECIPIENT
RECIPIENTS
Leslie Mayo
Stevie Gerken
INTRODUCED BY
Laurel Oetken
Jen Alloway
Jessica Winter
RECIPIENT
Linda O’Hare INTRODUCED BY
Anne Lieben
RECIPIENT
Vicki Wampler INTRODUCED BY
Ashley Gloystein Photos by Roger Humphries Photography
Junior League of Omaha 12135 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68154
Junior League of Omaha is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission, except by other Junior League of Omaha publications, is prohibited. The Junior League of Omaha office is located at 12135 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 61854. 402.493.8818. The Annual Report is a community publication of the Junior League of Omaha.