Since the Fort Bend Junior Service League’s inception in January 2001, the organization has donated over $855,000 to various agencies serving the needs of Fort Bend County residents. The following list shows how and where the League’s efforts have made an impact in the community.

As one of the League’s first fundraisers, the 2002-2003 “Little Heroes of Fort Bend County” calendar raised $30,000 for the MD Anderson Cancer Center, a leading medical institution recognized for its advances in treating cancer.

Published in 2003, net proceeds from the League’s first cookbook have been dedicated to the Meals on Wheels Program of the Fort Bend County Senior Citizens. The mission of this program is to assist seniors in maintaining and improving their dignity, independence and quality of life. The services and programs provided by this agency enable area senior citizens to remain in their homes and continue to be a part of the community as long as possible. Every FBJSL cookbook sold will provide three meals to seniors in this program.  To date, FBJSL has donated $18,000 to the Meals on Wheels Program of the Fort Bend County Senior Citizens.

The Fort Bend County Women’s Center is an agency that focuses on serving the needs of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Women’s Center aids their clients, as well as the children of these women, by providing emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, support services and educational outreach. FBJSL has chosen the Women’s Center as a co-beneficiary for the Sugar Plum Market since 2002, providing $121,000 in funds to this worthy organization.  The funding provided by FBJSL made a significant difference in allowing the Women’s Center to increase the operating capacity of their shelter to 100%.

The Robert C. Tate Community Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational and recreational programs for the youth and senior citizens of the North Richmond area of Fort Bend County. As a co-beneficiary of the Sugar Plum Market for many years, the Robert C. Tate Community Center has received $72,500 from FBJSL to aid in funding their programs.

Recognizing the urgent need of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita victims, FBJSL was able to set aside $6,500, 10% of their 2005 Ball proceeds, which was donated to three area organizations providing aid to these victims: Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Second Mile Ministry. The Red Cross has received additional funds from FBJSL in the amount of $3,500 at various times and for various community needs.

The Literacy Council of Fort Bend is committed to providing leadership to Fort Bend County literacy efforts through advocacy and the provision of services to functionally illiterate adults and those with limited English proficiency. The Literacy Council serves adults who have made the commitment to help themselves improve their own lives and those of their families. The Literacy Council was the beneficiary of the League’s first ball and is the beneficiary of our annual Children’s Book and Author Event. From these fundraisers, FBJSL has donated over $59,000 to the Literacy Council of Fort Bend.

When children are removed from their home by CPS in Fort Bend County, they are usually taken directly to the CPS offices. Attached to their office, the Rainbow Room is a physical room that is stocked with essential supplies and comfort items for these children. Diapers, wipes, teddy bears, and blankets are just a few of the items that can be found in the Rainbow Room. The annual FBJSL golf tournament has been for the benefit of the Rainbow Room since its inception. As a result, FBJSL has been able to donate $113,500 to this cause.

With a devastating shortage in the country’s foster care system, Rio Bend is a foster care community that was designed to provide a home and community for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Many of these children often spend their time migrating from home to home, never finding true roots, caring families, or stable homes. Rio Bend’s goal is to meet the significant needs of these children by providing them with a sense of community, a place to call home, and hope for the future. As the beneficiary of the League’s annual Ball for four years, Rio Bend has received $294,500. With FBJSL’s funds, Rio Bend was able to construct one of the first homes in the initial phase of this foster home community.  Currently, the 4600 square-foot FBJSL house is home to 6 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 16.

The League was pleased to name Child Advocates of Fort Bend as a co-beneficiary for the 2006 Sugar Plum Market. The mission of Child Advocates is to provide a voice to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children. They currently accomplish this mission through two significant programs: CASA (Court Appointed Special Adocates) and the CAC (Children’s Advocacy Center ). Through the CASA program, highly trained volunteers advocate in court for the best interests of children in CPS custody. By providing trained interviewers to speak with children in a more kid-friendly atmosphere, the CAC plays an integral role in assisting law enforcement with investigating outcries of physical and sexual abuse. Child Advocates was awarded $43,000 from the Sugar Plum Market proceeds, which will allow the agency to expand their training efforts for volunteers in these critical programs.

Selected as a co-beneficiary for the 2007 FBJSL Charity Ball, the Fort Bend CORPS exists to revitalize low-income housing and neighborhoods in Fort Bend County so that they can become functional and productive communities with housing and neighbors that are safe and decent.  The Fort Bend CORPS was awarded $47,000 from the FBJSL Charity Ball which will go a long way in helping them accomplish their mission of  “helping neighborhoods improve the quality of life one home at a time”.

At various times, organizations focused on the arts in Fort Bend have also received various grants from FBJSL ranging in amount from $300 to $1,000. Some of these groups include: Ballet Forte, Fort Bend Symphony, Fort Bend Community Theatre, and the Fort Bend Boys Choir. FBJSL hopes to provide additional support to these organizations in the future.

Future Impact
The membership of the Fort Bend Junior Service League recently approved the creation of a Community Assistance Fund (CAF) as a means of expanding the League’s financial outreach.

As a co-beneficiary of the 2007 FBJSL “Fire & Ice” Charity Ball, the FBJSL Community Assistance Fund received $47,000.  Over the next several months, the FBJSL will begin awarding grants to eligible Fort Bend organizations with these funds.