Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Junior League NWA trains community volunteers
Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, President Day job: Police Systems Analyst for the Fayetteville Police Department
Tell us about your organization:
■ Mission: The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
■ Services provided: The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas has over 300 trained volunteers that contribute over 35,000 volunteer hours and raise over $50,000 annually to support our community projects and partners to raise awareness about domestic violence in Northwest Arkansas, which is our community focus area. We work with various agencies around the community to deliver support and programs that adhere to our mission and focus area.
■ Service area: Northwest Arkansas
How is your organization’s mission unique? The Junior League emphasizes the training of women in volunteer service and developing their potential to act as community leaders. This commitment to training serves the needs of our league, as well as our community partners in the fight against domestic violence as well as all other aspects of our league work. I believe this is something unique to our organization and something we are very proud to be able to offer our members.
Why do you volunteer for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? Sheryl Sandberg once said, “It’s the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution.” I believe that is a luxury we can all afford and one in which we should all indulge. The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas seemed like an obvious fit for me. I am constantly seeking ways to better myself and grow my skill set, but I am also passionate about helping others do the same for themselves. The league has provided me with opportunities to put that passion into action to accomplish both of those. Additionally, my mother grew up in an abusive household, so I have a personal connection to our community focus area of domestic violence awareness and prevention, which amplifies that passion to want to help people in those situations realize their potential outside of the confines of that toxic relationship and work to help provide them avenues through which to seek the assistance they need.
What part of your job fills the most of your time? Answering emails, taking phone calls and attending events.
Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they? Yes! We accept applications for membership in April of each year, but we welcome volunteers to join us at any of our community events. Our website (juniorleague nwa.org) has our events listed and those interested in being a part of them or getting involved in any other ways can contact our league at info@ junior leaguenwa. org.
What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? Our 20th annual Winter Dreams Tour of Homes is today. We also have our seventh annual Moonlight Masquerade scheduled for Feb. 1 and our 13th annual Touch-a-Truck event will be on May 18. Please go to juniorleague nwa.org for tickets and more information regarding all of our events.