Lagniappe Winter 2024

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org | 53 1 STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

Contents

Winter 2024

3 The JLNO Diaper Bank

LAGNIAPPE STAFF

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6 Looking Back

Editor Kate Uhle

President Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn

Assistant Editor Kylie June Tahana

Secretary Kelly Rauser

7 Looking Ahead 8 League Faces On the Cover: Junior League members are pictured at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses conference in New Orleans in June 2022 alongside executive representatives from AWHONN and leadership from Baby & Child Care Marketing at Huggies Healthcare.

Photo by Kendra Reade

Writer Taymika Sharrieff Photographers Delana Lynn Photography, Diana Davis, Kendra Reade, Rachel Robinson

PUBLISHER STAFF Art Director Ali Sullivan Production Manager Rosa Balaguer Production Designer Meghan Rooney

President-Elect Tara Waldron Treasurer Trish Thibodeau Assistant Treasurer Paige Farrell Business Council Director Robin Carubba Communications Council Director Allison Shapiro Dandry Community Council Director Rachel Robinson Membership Council Director Hope Clay Planning & Development Council Director Blair Broussard Ways & Means Council Director Sarah Howard Nominating Committee Chair Dale Ellen O'Neil Sustaining Advisor to the Board Kristen Koppel

Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne

From the President 2024 is a milestone year for the Junior League of New Orleans as we celebrate our organization’s Centennial. The Junior League of New Orleans officially began on March 31, 1924 with 40 women dedicated to making a difference. Nearly a century later, JLNO’s membership of over 1,700 remain committed to advancing the wellbeing of women in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.

In the previous issue of Lagniappe, I shared the key recurring themes for this milestone year: Reintroduce. Reimagine. Re-engage. This winter issue of Lagniappe strives to reintroduce the Junior League of New Orleans to our local community by showcasing a few of our community projects, programs and events. You may be familiar with projects and organizations that began in the Junior League of New Orleans such as the Preservation Resource Center, Delgado Museum/Museum of Art, Louisiana Nature Center, the Parenting Center, Rebuilding Together, and Bloomin’ Deals Thrift Shop. We are excited to share insights about a few of our current programs, projects, and initiatives.

In October, we were honored to have over 50 attendees at our recent Get on Board one-day nonprofit board training held at our Headquarters.

TOUCH-A-TRUCK®, presented by Maritime Partners, rolled into the Pontchartrain Center during the last weekend in October providing opportunities for children and families to explore, honk, and play with over 25 vehicles. We welcomed over 900 visitors for our Field Trip Friday experience and over 1,500 attendees at our public event! New this year, JLNO held a fall SAFE SITTER® class in November and has upcoming winter and spring sessions.

Lagniappe Winter 2024 542 | ST.JLNO CHARLES AVENUE JANUARY 2024 | jlno.org

In 2024, we will also celebrate 10 years of the JLNO Diaper Bank! Over the past decade, JLNO members have worked tirelessly to fill the gap of diaper need in our community. What began as a call to action to collect 90,000 diapers in celebration of our 90th year now spans three product lines: diapers, period supplies, and adult incontinence products, and another ambitious distribution goal in honor of our Centennial milestone. Read on to take a sneak peek at our new look, learn about our evolution over the past decade, explore opportunities to join us in meeting our community’s needs through volunteering with us, donating products, and contributing financially.

I hope to see you at our upcoming Women’s Leadership Summit on Friday, March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day or participating in the 45th running of the Crescent City Classic on Saturday, March 30 on behalf of JLNO. After nearly a century of service to our beloved region, we remain women leading for a greater New Orleans, deeply committed to advancing the wellbeing of women.

In service, Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn President, 2023-2024

Photo by: Delana Lynn Photography

A Decade of Impact, A Fresh New Look Celebrating 10 Years of Transforming Lives By: Taymika Sharrieff | Photos by: Delana Lynn Photography

T

he Junior League of New Orleans is approaching its centennial year with an awesome history of philanthropic work aimed at improving the lives of women in our community. Ninety years into our legacy, a group of dedicated individuals saw a growing need and decided to do something about it. Founded in 2014, the Junior League of New Orleans Diaper Bank emerged as a result of JLNO's intentional strategic focus of Advancing the Wellbeing of Women. This refocus area came with a powerful vision: to empower women in New Orleans to lead happy and healthy lives. JLNO understands that lack of access to basic essential hygiene products is a public health crisis affecting women’s physical and mental health and economic wellbeing.

Lack of essential hygiene products like diapers, period supplies and adult incontinence products affects women and families in numerous ways. It not only poses health risks to children, but diaper need also hinders the ability of parents or caregivers to work, attend school, or pursue other daily responsibilities resulting in missed days of work and loss of income. Diapers are costly and the average child can go through about 2,500 diapers in their first year of life.

According to a recent survey by the National Diaper Bank Network one in two families in the U.S. struggle with diaper need and the organization also notes that diapers can cost up to $100 per month per child.

Period poverty – a phrase used to describe the struggle income constrained people face when unable to afford menstrual products – affects one in three women who report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.

Finally, the National Diaper Bank Network states urinary incontinence is more common in people over 50, especially women. The lack of sufficient incontinence products disproportionately impacts those who are experiencing financial constraints causing a rising need for adult incontinence products at diaper banks.

None of these essential products are covered through social safety net programs.

Thus, the birth of the JLNO Diaper Bank.

From its inception, JLNO members have led, facilitated, and coordinated all the elements of the project operations from product drives and inventory management to collecting, sorting and distributing.. Initially, this volunteerdriven project’s operations consisted of packages of diapers collected in the back of our Headquarters. Then it turned into large boxes of products which turned into towering stacks ready for sorting at a small warehouse facility which now includes products being delivered on large trucks on pallets to the Diaper Bank warehouse. These essential products are received by women and families through our dynamic network of community distribution partners. In our first 3 years, the JLNO Diaper Bank distributed nearly 900,000 diapers to families in need. By the 2019-2020 League year, the initiative had added period supplies (2018), and adult incontinence products (2019), and reached the milestone of distributing over 1 million diapers within a single year!

JLNO has also played a crucial role in responding to disasters. While these essential products are consistently in high demand all year, they are especially critical in times of disaster recovery due to a lack of access caused by infrastructure damage and operational interruptions. JLNO volunteers work swiftly to help get these much-needed essential products directly to the locations where they are needed most. Members also tirelessly work to raise awareness about the disparities of access to these essential products through education and advocacy efforts.

As of December 2023, the JLNO Diaper Bank has distributed over 9.2 million products to those in need! This robust, sustainable program truly serves as a lifeline for countless families in the New Orleans area. The growth and success of this project have been made possible by the incredible support and generosity of local businesses, schools, and individuals. This collective has rallied behind this specific cause, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to taking care of their own within their community. New Orleans has stood together, proving we are stronger when united in service.

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org | 355 STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

We have also been the recipient of the generosity of folks visiting the area. JLNO was invited onsite to the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses conference in New Orleans in June 2022 to receive over 4,000 diapers, over 2,000 period products, and over 200 packs of wipes collected at the conference. Additionally, Huggies donated 20,000 diapers which arrived at our facility this fall. All these products are being distributed locally through our network of JLNO Diaper Bank partners.

As part of this milestone moment, the Junior League of New Orleans is unveiling a fresh JLNO Diaper Bank rebrand which encompasses the journey we’ve travelled to get here and gives a better representation of the range of products and communities the JLNO Diaper Bank has grown to serve. The logo uses circles in Junior League colors to represent the three major areas of focus: diapers, period supplies, and adult incontinence products. These colors are enclosed within a circle of JLNO green, resulting in the image of a diaper within the negative space, a look to the future with a respectful nod to the past.

The vibrant and modern design easily captures the essence of the Junior League’s energy.

Before closing out a decade of success, however, JLNO is aiming to reach and surpass the goal of distributing 10 million products in our 10th year.

Ten million moments of comfort for little ones, 10 million smiles of relief for parents, and 10 million reasons to celebrate. This milestone isn't just a moment in time: it's a testament to unwavering dedication and the spirit of community service.

The JLNO Diaper Bank is poised to continue its mission with even more determination and vigor.

Our vision is clear: to touch the lives of even more women, to raise greater awareness about essential hygiene product need, and to be a force for positive change in New Orleans.

As the JLNO Diaper Bank embarks on our next inspiring chapter we look forward to scaling our efforts in a sustainable manner to fill the needs gap for diapers, period products, and adult incontinence products in our region. We cannot meet this need alone. JLNO invites you to join us in meeting the needs of our community one product, one woman, one family at a time.

To learn more about how you can get involved with the JLNO Diaper Bank through volunteering, product donations and financial contributions to help us reach our goal of distributing 10 million products in our 10th year, visit jlno.org/community/diaper-bank. •

4

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org

As of December 2023, the JLNO Diaper Bank has distributed over 9.2 million products to those in need!

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org

5

Looking Back

Empowering Nonprofit Leadership Get on Board 2023

Written by Kylie June Tahana | Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

T

he fall 2023 rendition of Get on Board, presented by Waters, Parkerson & Co., LLC, once again delivered expert insights with a dose of empowerment for current and aspiring board members. Established in 2008, Get on Board endeavors to provide trainees with the tools they need to serve on a nonprofit board in their local community knowledgeably and effectively. Overall, trainees gain increased confidence and competence to develop and maintain a well-run nonprofit organization.

Drawing in a diverse array of individuals passionate about the value nonprofits bring to their communities, the single-day workshop featured esteemed local nonprofit leaders, including keynote speaker Kristin G. Palmer of Bargeboard, LLC. Discussions at each session were a melting pot of instruction, practical wisdom, and lived experiences as trainees explored the nuances of nonprofit governance, immersing themselves in interactive sessions, and unraveling the complexities of financial policies, fiduciary duties, legal considerations, and strategic planning.

The gathering served as a forum for learning but also as a nexus for networking and relationship-building as trainees seized the opportunity to forge invaluable connec-

Explore! Honk! Play!

TOUCH-A-TRUCK® 2023 Written by: Kate Uhle | Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

6

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org

E

Business Council Director, Robin Carruba, thanks sponsors and introduces speakers to help kick off the annual Get on Board workshop.

tions with presenters, sponsors, and fellow enthusiasts. This collaborative spirit fostered a supportive ecosystem, reinforcing the trainees commitment to affecting positive change in their communities by driving forward the missions and impact of the nonprofits they choose to serve. •

very little imagination spends time playing police or doctor, and every sandbox is a playground for excavating, digging, and building. From bulldozers to tractors, firetrucks to helicopters, JLNO’s annual TOUCH-ATRUCK® event brings a world of dreams to reality. TOUCH-A-TRUCK® gives both children and their families the chance to experience “big trucks” and meet the people who use them to serve, protect, and build our community.

An incredible team of Junior League committee members and volunteers put together this year’s event which hosted almost 2,400 individuals across two days at the Pontchartrain Center. Nearly 900 children attended Field Trip Friday, which provides free entrance to students from underserved schools.

Opportunities for hosting birthday party groups and the addition of a costume contest really brought fun and excitement to an already buzzing crowd.

Little hands were pulling levers on mammoth-sized excavators that clear lots for building houses, while emergency first responders explained the importance of air lift helicopters to transport patients to waiting hospitals. State Police were on motorcycle showing us how they keep our roads safe, and a sea of plastic red hats were seen running from fire trucks to farm equipment.

Savanna VanAusdale, TOUCH-A-TRUCK® Committee Chair, was grateful “to all the ‘truckers,’ vendors, and sponsors for donating time and equipment to help make our mission possible.” It takes a lot of dedicated volunteers to support and execute the event, and we’re already counting down to another awesome TOUCH-A-TRUCK® next year!

To learn more about how you can get involved as a sponsor, vendor, or attend a future event, contact touchatruck@jlno.org. •

Looking Ahead

4th Annual Women’s Leadership Summit Friday, March 8, 2024 International Women’s Day New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District

Join the Junior League of New Orleans for a one-day, in-person experience for all women striving to grow personally and professionally while positively impacting the communities they serve.

Purchase your ticket now at jlno.org/wls

The Annual Giving Fund supports the Junior League's transformative work within the Greater New Orleans community, including the JLNO Diaper Bank, Women's Entrepreneurship Fellowship program, scholarship program, Safe Sitter® training and much more.

Donate now jlno.org/annual-giving

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org

7

League Faces

Front Porch Friday is a fun way for members to mix and mingle together for happy hour at a diversity of locations across the city.

(L-R) Diana Vasquez, Brooke Zar, DarLisa Riche and Nicole Bell got together to “Dine Out” at Nola Caye, where proceeds from the day’s reservations were donated back to the Junior League. Photo submitted by Brooke Zar

(L-R) Savanna Van Ausdale, Dorothy Askins, and Nathalie Dillon work on their homemade creations during a candle-making class at Headquarters hosted by Wicks NOLA. Photo by Kelly Rauser

We love a packed house for our General Membership Meetings! GMMs allow members to gather monthly to get updated on League news, hear from awesome speakers, businesses, other League members and committees. Photo by Delana Lynn Photography

Interested in joining the Junior League of New Orleans?

Find our New Membership Request Form at jlno.org/membership Allie Olivier (L) and Megan Kurtz (R) joined other Junior League members from around the country at the AJLI Organizational Development Institute (ODI) in Washington, D.C. to share best practices and attend training sessions and workshops on organizational and professional development. Photo by Megan Kurtz

8

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2024 | jlno.org