The Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum stands as a beacon of hope and support in the north Houston corridor, providing volunteer assistance to 23 diverse service programs.
With a blend of partnerships with existing non-profits and their own signature programs, CWJF is committed to making a lasting impact through their volunteer efforts. Two of their most impactful initiatives are: their partnership with the Early Excellence Academy in Tomball ISD and their innovative “Girls Rule. Period” program.
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Supporting early education at the Early Excellence Academy
CWJF has partnered with the Early Excellence Academy (EEA) in Tomball ISD, a unique PreK Center that caters to students meeting specific state qualifications, such as being educationally disadvantaged, homeless, or the child of a peace officer. Being a brand-new school for the 2023-24 academic year, EEA faces challenges in fostering parental engagement due to its one-year-only program, with students joining from different parts of the district and moving on to their elementary schools after one year.
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CWJF has stepped in to fill this gap.
Amy Terry, President of CWJF, explains, “We moved our office to Tomball a few years ago and wanted to get our name known in the community. We found out about the Early Excellence Academy, which had no PTO due to its unique structure. We saw an opportunity to help.”
CWJF is preparing 90 backpacks filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year and providing a luncheon for 85 teachers and staff following their Convocation.
Additionally, CWJF volunteers will assist during the first week of school with student arrivals and pickups. Throughout the year, CWJF plans to distribute small gifts to teachers to encourage and appreciate their hard work.
“This school needs so much support, and CWJF is hoping to fill much of this gap,” Terry adds.
Addressing period poverty with “Girls Rule. Period”
Period poverty, the struggle many low-income women and girls face in affording menstrual products, affects education significantly. Shockingly, one in five American girls misses school during their period due to lack of supplies.
CWJF has taken a proactive approach to tackle this issue with their “Girls Rule. Period” initiative.
“We learned about this campaign from Giving Gown and decided to start our own program,” Terry shares. CWJF members donate pads, tampons, and other items to create period poverty kits, which are then distributed to those in need. Last year, CWJF packaged and distributed over 1,000 kits to various organizations, including Giving Gown for their Boutique Days Sale and local schools.
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“We named our program ‘Girls Rule. Period’ to give it a positive spin. These kits are discreetly packaged in colorful bags, ensuring the girls feel comfortable and confident,” Terry explains.
This year, CWJF aims to provide Giving Gown alone with 1,000 kits, ensuring every girl attending the Boutique receives one.
“It’s a perfect fit for us as an organization of women, and we’re proud to support our community in this way,” Terry shared.
A community-driven organization
CWJF’s commitment extends beyond these projects. The organization has given over $1 million in scholarships since 1990 to high school girls who demonstrate a heart for serving their community.
“We focus on girls who are starting programs in their schools to help underprivileged or special needs kids,” says Terry.
This year alone, CWJF awarded 61 $1,000 scholarships to deserving young women across several school districts.
As an organization primarily funded by its members, CWJF relies on community support to sustain and expand its programs.
“Our mission is to fill the gaps where help is needed most. Whether it’s supporting a new school or addressing period poverty, we strive to make a positive impact through our volunteer efforts.” Terry emphasized. “Our goal is to build our name awareness and attract outside donors to help us continue our work. We are always looking for new members who share our passion for service.”
For those interested in supporting CWJF or learning more about their initiatives, visit their website at CWJuniorForum.org.
Through dedicated volunteerism and community partnerships, CWJF continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve, embodying their mission of empowering the community through service.