Jack and Jill of America: Gary/ NW Indiana Chapter

Gary/ Northwest Indiana

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated
Gary/ NW Indiana Chapter
September 2020

Mother members Dakita, Latoya, Tanya & Charm invite In this Issue
you to our virtul meeting kick-off: “Pink, Blue and Bling”.
Join us for our first mother’s meeting of the program year President’s Welcome
as we have a virtual “night out”. Your hosts want to
remind you to: Page 2
1. Be on camera
2. Wear your pink and blue Service Opportunities
3. Add some “bling”
4. Have your favorite beverage on hand Page 3
5. Come prepared to take care of Jack and Jill business!
Senior Highlight
Thursday,
September 17, 2020 Page 4

Check your email, rallyhood, or groupme for the ink New Associate Mom
and/or call in number for meeting details
Page 5

Carole Robertson
Tribute

Page 6

Jack and Jill Day

Page 7

Important Dates

Pahe 8

Greetings members of the Gary/Northwest Indiana Chapter of Jack and Jill of
America, Inc. I am excited to welcome each of you to the 2020-21 program
year. Our dynamic 2020-2022 executive committee is hard at work planning and
preparing for what will be an extraordinary year of programming for our
families. As outlined in my vision for the chapter, there are several key areas
that we will be of focus:

● Inspiring members to reconnect with the mission and purpose of Jack and

Jill of America

● Enhanced leadership and developmental programming opportunities for

all grade groups

● Expanded presence of Jack and Jill in the Gary/Northwest Indiana

community

● Increased chapter presence on local, regional and national social media

platforms

● Effectively grooming our Teens to “Lead” and take advantage of regional

leadership and Teen Conference opportunities

It is my hope that every member and child have a meaningful and worthwhile
Jack and Jill experience. Your feedback is always welcomed; please feel free to
reach out to me or any member of the executive committee with questions or
comments. I pray that each of your families have an enjoyable summer vacation
and I look forward to welcoming you back in September.

President Neal

On September 20, 2020 the Gary/Northwest IN
Chapter of Jack and Jill will sponsor a chapter wide
community service event entitled: Duffle Bags for
Foster Children. Through this community service
initiative our Jack and Jill families will stuff duffle bags
full of personal supplies. The duffle bags will be
delivered to area foster children through the following
agencies: Geminus and the Department of Children
Services. The event will be held at Oak Ridge Prairie
Park (Shelter 1) located in Griffith Indiana. The event
will start at 2:00pm and will end at 4:00pm.

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control
and Prevention), breast cancer is the second
leading cause of cancer death in women. However,
awareness and early detection can help reduce the
risk of developing breast cancer. Because of this,
the Gary/Northwest Indiana Chapter of Jack and
Jill of America, Inc. continues to support the
Community HealtNet Health Centers Annual Breast
Cancer Awareness 5K Walk. This year, we
will walk on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at
10:00 am in-person at Marquette Park, Gary,
Indiana or virtually via Facebook live. Our goal is to
have 100% chapter participation in this fundraiser
to support CHN's health initiatives.

CONGRATULATI NS

Justus Dobson (Justice)

Lake Central High School Favorite Jack and Jill
• Graduated Cum Laude with Honors Memories
• Member of:
• Jazz Band 2019 Teen Leadership Conference
• National Honor Society where we bonded as a teen group. I
• Interact Community Service Club am so glad that I got to know them
• Student Council
better.

Jack and Jill Leadership Making Christmas ornaments for the
• Teen Secrtary for 2 years elder with the teen group
• Teen President for 1 year

Now Attending
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience

CONGRATULATI NS

Jalilah Dukes Advice to Moms

2020 Graduating Mother Enjoy the
experiences because
Jack and Jill Leadership:
• Corresponding Secretary the years fly by.
• Assistant Teen Advisor
• Lead Teen Advisor

Favorite Jack and Jill Moments

The best of times would have to be the opportunities to engage with our teens and to give
back through chapter or teen community service activities like volunteering at Feed My
Starving Children, Phil's House, or donations to Sojourner Truth House and our first
responders. Our teens are truly amazing. It was an honor to watch them develop
individually and as a group, especially at the 2019 TLC. The boys were well-mannered,
respectful, responsible, and prepared. They truly represented Gary/NWI well.

Finally, as a chapter we blessed at-risk families through our chapter Christmas party
donations to Catholic Charities and the March of Dimes Walk for Babies. As co-chair of the
Holiday Committee, I loved working with committee members to buy the gifts for our
members and the adopted family. I shopped for the single mom and her children as if they
were my family members (overbought LOL), and our moms came through for this family in
such a huge way. Due to our enthusiasm, the banquet staff joined us by donating diapers
and other items. As the Catholic Charities' representative drove away in a car full of gifts,
with only room for the driver, my heart was full because we were united as moms in our
effort to make sure this family had a good Christmas and the beginning of a new life in their
own apartment.

On September 15, 1962, four innocent
little girls were murdered by a bomb
planted at the Sixteenth Street Baptist
Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Today, fifty-eight years later, we pause
to honor the memory of Addie Mae
Collins, Denise McNair, Carole
Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. The
heinous act of murder, committed
during the sacred Sunday morning
worship hour, brought national attention
to the depth and depravity of the
struggle for Civil Rights.

One of the victims, Carole Robertson,
was a member of Jack and Jill of
American, Incorporated. Carole was a
very smart, musically gifted child, who
took dance lessons and participated in
Girl Scouts. Her mother, Alpha
Robertson, was the first elected
Southern Regional Director.

Every year during the month of
September, we observe Carole
Robertson Day to remember not to
forget the precious price she and so
many others paid for the freedoms we
enjoy today.

During out Virtual Jack and Jill Day Celebration, the Jack and Jill Day committee
hosted a family cooking challenge and an exciting scavenger hunt, with

prizes. The day was a huge success and fostered family bonding, along with
creativity and financial management strategies!

Let’s Work,

Let’s Live
Together

JULY REGIONAL DATES TO
Ava 9th REMEMBER:
Angelina 12th
Chantal 18th September 19th - Regional Jack and Jill Day
October 17-18th - Mother’s Area Workday
AUGUST
Debra 7th Cluster
Latrice 20th
Camille 20th November 14th - Teen’s Area Workday Cluster
Charm 25th
LaTanya 31st Nov-February - Super Bowl of Caring
Jan 16 – 18th - MLK Day of Service Weekend
SEPTEMBER
Kia 2nd May 15th - Regional Day of Service
June 4-6th - Leadership Summit, Detroit
LaToya 28th June 17-20th - Teen Leadership Conference,

Ohio State University

July 15-18th - Mother’s Regional Conference,

Puerto Rico