2021 + ISSUE ONE
Organizations We Support CULTURE
In an effort to turn the goal of Making the World a Better Place into a reality, JLS® supports local, national and global organizations.
Making the Future Limitless
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12 VISION
oung Thinkers of York connects under served students in York, Pa., to robotics and engineering. Ray Ames, Founder and Executive Director, started the organization in 2017 with the goal to become the leader of turning those students into future engineers, scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders as 90 percent of York’s students don’t have access to robotics through curriculum. Coordinating with the York school district and learning centers throughout the city, Young Thinkers works with students from preschool to middle school through in-class workshops. The organization also offers an after-school robotics program where students meet twice a week for 12 months. “We provide activities as an extension of the school day to provide students the exposure to robotics and engineering that they wouldn’t typically experience. Young Thinkers shows them what opportunities are available now and in the future,” said Ames.
JLS® has previously hosted on-site tours, where students can see robotic packaging machines in action, meet the engineers and discuss new technologies and robotic applications. “Our relationship with JLS has helped us show the average kid from York city what they typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to see. JLS is one of the backbones keeping the organization going,” said Ames. “Craig’s generosity helps provide the motivation for our students to realize that if they believe and dream it, they can make it a reality while reinforcing the importance of staying in school to make their futures limitless.” For more information on the Young Thinkers of York, visit www.youngthinkersofyork.org.
Empowering Women and Feeding Communities
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ast Africa, with a majority of its population in poverty, is facing a food shortage. The Women’s Bakery is working to change that by empowering women and creating access to gainful employment at bakeries in local communities. “Our goal is to build sustainable, profitable bakeries throughout East Africa that are powered by women that would not have had access to formal education or employment and sell quality, nutritious products,” said Markey Culver, Founder and Photo courtesy of The Women’s Bakery CEO. “We want to prove that the for-profit and nonprofit sectors can work together to create life-changing opportunities.” To ensure the successful launch and operation of the bakery, every woman receives more than 200 hours of training to manage day-to-day operations, sales and expenses. Ingredients are locally sourced to not only support the local economy but also to help ensure the bread remains affordable and high-quality. Currently, three The Women’s Bakery-owned bakeries are operating in Rwanda and have helped women provide for themselves, their families and communities while simultaneously creating economic opportunities and providing a healthy source of nourishment. According to Markey, the support from JLS last year kept The Women’s Bakery in operation. “When the Rwandan government closed its borders in March 2020, we knew there was going to be an immediate food shortage. Thanks to Craig, we were able to feed a team of 53 people and their families. He directly helped provide a two-month supply of food for 211 people during a lockdown,” she said. “With supply chain disruptions and raw material costs skyrocketing, JLS gave us a means to protect our team and restart operations.” This year, The Women’s Bakery looks to open a fourth bakery and partner with local schools to provide a consistent food supply to the area’s children. For more information on The Women’s Bakery, visit
