Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Chapter History

 

In 1971, a small group of 12 mothers formed a group call the JOMO's of Overland Park, Kansas.  The purpose of this mother's organization was to provide a means for the small number of African American children in Overland Park to get together on a regular basis.

 

 

On October 28, 1972, the Overland Park, KS Chapter was chartered.  At the 20th National Convention in Roanoke, Virginia in July of 1973, the chapter was voted to be an official chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

 

The 1st elected officers for the chapter were:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first year, the Overland Park Chapter had many community service projects.  These projects included: A Christmas Party for needy children, donations of warm blankets to the Niles Home for Children, and Saturday tutoring for children in need.  The Teens in the chapter, under the guidance of Sarah Tyrus and Dorma Claiborne held a food and clothing drive for The Crossline Program in Kansas City.  There were also many social activities during the year which culminated with the Spring Festival Dance.

 

As more African American families moved into the Johnson County area, it became necessary to change the name from the Overland Park, KS Chapter to the Johnson County, KS Chapter.  Along with those changes, came the need to support issues related to African Americans in the entire Johnson County Area.

 

During the 1980's, the Johnson County Chapter began a major campaign to get the local school districts to adopt Martin Luther King's Birthday as an official school holiday.  They were successful in getting this done in all of the districts.  The chapter also was awarded two grants from the Nation Organizations which allied them to conduct workshops and seminars covering two area "Strengthening the Black Family" and "Survival Skills in the 90's".  These workshops were well attended by many families located in the Johnson County Area.

 

We continue with community service projects, such as volunteer at Harvesters, providing meals for families at Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, having a trike a-thon raising money for St. Judes Children's Hospital, and fundraising for the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Foundation.

 

 

PRESIDENT                 HELEN DUPREE

VICE PRESIDENT          MYRNA RILEY

SECRETARY               DORMA CLAIBORN

TREASURER                OLENE SMITHE

HISTORIAN                ALFREDA BROW

PARLIAMENTARIAN       PAT JOHNSON

PROGRAM CHAIR          JUDY JACKSON

 

Chapter Programming

Mother's Retreat

Jack & Jill Family Day Picnic

Central Region Mother's Cluster

Age Group Activities

Youth Holiday Party

Adult Sweetheart Gathering

Johnson County MLK Celebration

Jack & Jill Founder's Day Celebration

Black History Program

Father/Son Prayer Breakfast

Mother/Daughter Tea

Black Family Day

High School Senior Brunch

Regional Teen Conference