The Junior League of Louisville has received responses to our community needs assessment from local organization here. While our Risk Management Team has been busy assessing our ability to meet some of these needs and responding to them directly, we invite you to take a look and see if you feel called to help as well. Thank you for your support of our community!

1. Support Home of the Innocents by purchasing an item from their Amazon Wish List. From Home of the Innocents: While many people are working from their homes, our Home is still open – providing care to residents 24 hours a day. You can help us from a distance! Please consider donating items from our Amazon Wish List without leaving your house. Check out our most needed items below and have items sent directly to us – it’s easy to shop from home!

2. Support UP for Women and Children by purchasing an item from their Amazon Wish List. UP is continuing to serve women and children experiencing homelessness and has expanded to serve men during this coronavirus outbreak as well. From UP: Once we can operate from our basement again, our guests will likely need us more than ever. UP sustaining this crisis is crucial. How do we remain a safe and welcoming space in the midst of chaos? Amazon wish list orders and financial support will sustain us. UP for Women and Children is a lifeline now more than ever. Thank you for your continued support. Stay safe and be well!

3. Support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana by purchasing items from their Amazon Wish List. Or make a monetary donation here. They are still open and serving families daily.

4. Support Metro United Way with a monetary donation here. Volunteers and supplies needed to support these pressing needs. From MUW: (Two important reminders for potential volunteers: 1. Please only consider in-person service opportunities if you and all those you encounter are well. 2. Make sure you officially sign-up for the volunteer opportunity you choose. Please do not show up to a service site if you have not registered.)

5. Help Free2Hope a survivor led 501(C)3 non-profit organization taking new proactive approaches to stop sexual crimes (with an emphasis on human trafficking) against women and children throughout the state with prevention, education, outreach and disruption programming. You can donate and learn more about them here.   

6. Support Dare to Care Inc., an organization that is continuing to feed people in need. You can donate and learn more here. Dare to Care distributed 600,000 more pounds of food in March 2020 compared to March 2019. 

7. South Louisville Community Ministries is in need of cleaning supplies, detergent, hygiene products, gloves, shelf stable food (especially canned vegetables), diapers, and wipes. They also need assistance with food packaging and delivering meals. You can learn more about their organization here. 

8. Volunteers of America Mid-States is in need of gifts cards to Wal-Mart, jigsaw puzzles (all ages), toilet paper, paper towels, snacks for kids, and hand soap. You can learn more about their response to Covid-19 here. 

9. The St. John Center’s day shelter for homeless men is open seven days a week from 7 AM – 1 PM.  We also continue to provide street outreach and to offer virtual case management to the 92 formerly homeless men who are part of our Permanent Supportive Housing program. They are  in chronic need of hand sanitizer, masks, latex gloves, sanitizing wipes, ponchos, socks, and underwear.  Please visit https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnCenter/ to learn more. 

10. Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc. would like to share their mission of “advancing equity through empowerment of economically disadvantaged children and families within Russell, nearby neighborhoods and the larger community.” We would like to promote their programs and services to families who need help as we face worsening socio-economic conditions associated with living in poverty. Their “We Care” virtual services are aimed at addressing need for pandemic relief through supplemental education for children and access to economic resources for family leaders. This is their current service plan. 

11.  Family Scholar House is distributing food, diapers, feminine hygiene items and activities for our kids. In addition to our families on campus, we are also distributing senior commodity boxes and delivering boxes for our non-residential families. Items needed include: Pantry Items (peanut butter, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, frozen meals, mac and cheese, snack bars, fruit cups, canned vegetables etc.), Diapers – all sizes especially 5, 6, 2T-3T, 4T-5T and wipes, feminine hygiene products, and toothpaste. You can learn more about monetary donations or material donations here.

12. Boys and Girls Haven continues to provide essential services for our local youth. You can learn more about how to help and their Covid-19 response here.

13. Hosparus Health continues to provide support and services for families during this difficult time. Donations all them to continue to provide care to patients and families in their 41 county service area. You can learn more here.

14. Participate in one of these virtual volunteer activities. Many members report feeling a sense of fulfillment and purpose through serving others. The included list of virtual volunteer opportunities, provided by Kelly Osborne, includes many meaningful ways to continue to lead through service to others during this time at home.

15. Complete the 2020 Census. When this outbreak is over, let’s make sure our states are best equipped to move forward!

16. Refer a community organization to our Community Needs Assessment. Help JLL know where our efforts are needed! Refer a community organization that you are passionate about to complete our needs assessment.