Written by Katie Caffrey

Every year, the Junior League of Minneapolis holds a Community Partner Salon Series. This year it will be during the month of February in place of a General Membership Meeting. These small group meetings are hosted in partnership with community partners and non-profit agencies. The goal of this series is to provide hands on training experience for members to supplement their League experience. Each meeting is designed for attendees to take something away from the training – knowledge about the organization, its mission, how to be an effective volunteer, and how to take your JLM experience and share your talents with others! Additionally, this series exposes members to other organizations in Minneapolis, and the impact these organizations have on our community. These meetings are on the calendar and most are still available for registration. Here’s an overview of the partners you can learn about during this year’s salon series:

Minneapolis Foundation:

The Minneapolis Foundation works on numerous projects to create positive change in the community. Located in downtown Minneapolis, the foundation administers more than 1,400 charitable funds that enable individuals, families, and businesses to support causes they are passionate about. They invest their unrestricted grant making resources in programs and initiatives that are aligned with their vision: a greater Minneapolis that is vibrant, inclusive, and positioned to thrive locally and compete globally. The Minneapolis Foundation researches, convenes, advocates, and helps shape public policy around issues critical to the current and future vitality of our community. Last year, the Foundation and its donors invested nearly $70 million in programs and services that change lives and strengthen the community. Make sure to sign up for this salon series event on February 26^th to hear from two members of The Minneapolis Foundation’s Philanthropic Services team, including Steph Donley, a current JLM member! You can also visit the foundation’s website for more information on their current projects: https://www.minneapolisfoundation.org/

The Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery

The mission of the Nursery is to end child abuse and neglect and create strong, healthy families. In 1978, the United Way conducted research on child abuse and neglect in the Minneapolis area and found there was nowhere for parents in crisis to turn when they needed counseling and help caring for their children. To fill this need, the Junior League of Minneapolis partnered with the National Council of Jewish Women, B’nai B’rith Women, Southside Nurturing Center, and several other organizations to establish the first crisis nursery in the state. It was a unique collaboration that focused on something the community desperately needed. For more than 35 years, the Nursery has been committed to ending child abuse and neglect and creating strong, healthy families. Today, they answer approximately 4,000 crisis calls annually and shelter up to 20 children per day, providing over 5,000 nights of care during the course of the year to children aged newborn through six. The Nursery remains committed to strengthening families in our community in order to end child abuse and neglect. JLM currently partners with the Nursery through Helping Hands snack and dinner shifts. To learn more about the Nursery, visit their website at https://www.crisisnursery.org/, and sign up for the salon series event on February 19^th! 

Incorporating JLM/Volunteer Experience into Your Resume

Do you ever think about how valuable your JLM volunteer experience could be in your professional resume, but aren’t sure of the best way to incorporate it? You’re in luck! Kelly Leiker, JLM Sustainer & Board of Directors Sustainer Member at Large, will be holding a hands-on-workshop on February 12^th, focused on Incorporating Your JLM/ Volunteer Experience into Your Resume. Kelly is a Professional Speaker and Executive Coach and is bringing her valuable experience and knowledge to our salon series. Don’t forget to bring your resume, as well as a laptop or notebook for brainstorming! Visit Kelly’s website at https://leikerdevelopment.com/ for more information about her experience and services.

LeagueAires

The mission of the LeagueAires is to bring the joy of music to older adults and those with special needs. The idea for LeagueAires was born in the early 1960s, when four young women- Ruthy Frenzel, Mandy Johnson, Mary Kunz, and Patty Strong- sang together at an alumnae meeting for Skidmore College. They enjoyed singing together so much, they expressed interest in forming a regular singing group. A few months later, they performed in a talent show for the Junior League of Minneapolis. It was then that they decided to turn their love for music into a community mission. The women presented a new idea to the JLM Board to foster artistic involvement between JLM and the community by using music as a way to serve. The LeagueAires is currently in its 54^th year and is the longest project of the JLM. They continue to have an annual performance that all members are invited and encouraged to attend. This year’s performance will be at the Minikahda Club as part of the General Membership Meeting on April 14^th! To view their full performance schedule, visit: https://leagueaires.org/

Wallin Education Partners

Wallin Education Partners is more than just a scholarship. It is a proven college-completion program for high-potential students with financial need. JLM has partnered with WEP to provide a scholarship for 16 local female scholarship recipients. Join us on February 24^th, to learn from Stela Center, WEP’s Director of Advancement, about the scholarship program and how the organization is working to close the opportunity gap at the higher education level. https://www.wallinpartners.org/

For more information about these partner organizations, come to one, multiple, or all of this month’s salon series events! Visit the calendar on the JLM website to sign up. We look forward to seeing you there!