1952-1971 – PUPPETEERS
The League started producing puppet shows in 1952, which played to thousands of children and continued to be used in the Eating Disorders Awareness Programs.
1952-1971 – CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY THEATER
Talented League volunteers produced and acted in “live” plays. Professional touring companies were also brought to the area. The League also produced radio programs for the cultural enrichment of Chattanooga’s children. Continuing from 1952 through 1971 trooping puppeteers presented the Lollipop Theater to thousands of area children.
1958 – FINER FILMS SERIES
The League brought several fine films to Park Theater in summertime to improve children’s movie fare. Proceeds from ticket sales went to redecorate at Children’s Hospital in 1958.
1958-76 – ALLIED ARTS
The League was instrumental in organizing the Allied Arts Council through the inception of their incorporation as a non-profit organization. League members promoted and participated in Allied Arts and fine Arts Festivals.
1959 – BUSY BOOKS
The League printed some 4,000 booklets annually of “things-to-do” for children ages 5-12 for the Children’s Hospital, Little Miss Mag and some 16 other child-care institutions.
1959-1977 – SALVATION ARMY
The League supplied 1,000 books for East Chattanooga Citadel in 1959-60. Volunteers filled Christmas bags with food for the needy and rang bells in the Christmas street campaign.
1959-1964 – TALENTED YOUTH
The Talented Youth Project provided counseling, testing and enrichment for talented youth in Chattanooga area. The League provided financial support to the University of Chattanooga for the operation of the project throughout this period.
1960 – HANDICAPPED CONFERENCE
Jointly sponsored with the Nemours Foundation, the fourth Tennessee Conference on Handicapped and Gifted Children in the spring of 1960 was supported by funds from the League.
1961-1969 – YOUTH ARTS FAIR
The League, in cooperation with the University of Chattanooga, sponsored the first Youth Arts Fair in Chattanooga to recognize Junior and Senior High School students for excellent work in the fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences.
1963, 1974-1982 – GIRLS’ CLUB OF CHATTANOOGA
The League provided financial support to the Girls’ Club for its work with young girls in Highland Park area. The League has had several members serve on the Girls’ Club board over the years. From 1974-1980 – The League purchased and equipped a van, which is professionally staffed to operate programs in five or more locations throughout Chattanooga on a regular basis. Volunteers served as program aides, observers, evaluators and surveyors. In 1980, the League provided financial support to implement a “growth through arts” program.
1963 – OPPORTUNITY HOME FOR GIRLS (LOUISE CURREY HOME)
The League provided financial support for the first year’s operation of this home which houses from 6 to 12 girls over the age of 16 without parents, home or guardian to rear them in a proper home atmosphere. Volunteers counseled, sewed for them and served on the Home’s Board.
1963 – SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR TEACHERS OF THE PERCEPTUALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
The League provided financial support to help in sending a teacher for special training in handling perceptually handicapped children.
1963-1964 – SENIOR NEIGHBORS, INC.
The League provided financial support to the “Hot Lunch” program for senior citizens and for kitchen expansion at the center.
1964-1973 – OAK GROVE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR THE PROFOUNDLY RETARDED
The League provided financial support to the continuation and further explorations of the Developmental Training Classes for the Profoundly Retarded of Orange Grove School. Support was also provided to publish a booklet about the Cottage and was distributed to Junior Leagues, special educational schools and special education departments in colleges and universities throughout the country. Volunteers worked in the classroom, kept records, refurbished the Cottage and kept the public informed. In addition, the League provided support for the furnishing and equipping of the new Orange Grove complex. The League received awards from Chattanooga Council for Retarded Children and from the Tennessee Association for Retarded Children and Adults, Inc.
1967 – YMCA
The League provided financial support to the YMCA to help with their education program.
1969-1972 – MUSIC EDUCATION PROJECT
The League provided financial support to over three years to co-sponsor six concerts annually in selected junior and senior high schools with the Chattanooga Symphony Association. As a result of this project, the Little Orchestra was formed by the Symphony. In 1972 the program was taken over by the Chattanooga Symphony Association.
1970-1971 – TUTORIAL WORKSHOP
The League provided financial support to the Junior League UTC Tutoring Program. A questionnaire was drawn up and sent out to sixteen agencies and many of the local churches. The instruction focused on four major areas: mathematics, reading, language arts and psycho-social adjustment. The aims in each area were to give instruction in techniques for diagnosing disabilities, responding to this information and evaluating pupil progress.
1970-1972 – VOLUNTEERS’ BUREAU
The Volunteers’ Bureau was established in January 1970, as a two-year demonstration project cosponsored by the Junior League and the Metropolitan Council for Community Services. The League provided financial support to involve volunteers in the areas of health, welfare, recreation, education and the arts.
1971 – RECREATIONAL PARK
The League provided financial support to develop a recreational park.
1971-73 – DRUG PROJECT
The League provided financial support and brochures to the Methadone Clinic. The film “Drugs Are Like That” was also purchased along with projection for elementary school children. Also, the League helped to equip a kitchen-dining area for use by the resident clients and staff of Recovery House. League volunteers were also placed to help with operation of program.
1974 – THE CHATTANOOGA RAPE PREVENTION CRISIS CENTER
The Chattanooga Rape Prevention and Crisis Center provided counseling services, the lending of emotional support to rape victims and their families and field work in self-defense. The League provided financial support to purchase call-switching equipment and printing and educational materials.
1974-1975 – THE YOUTH RESIDENTIAL CENTER
The Youth Residential Center provided an intensive treatment program for dependent, neglected and pre-delinquent boys between the ages of 13 and 17. The League provided financial support and volunteers to prepare and present a slide program to the community and to function as supporting staff workers.
1974-1980, 1984-1985, 1990-1992- THE VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SCHOOL
The Volunteer Community School, a pre-school for disadvantaged children ages 2 through 6, places special emphasis on language development and pre-reading skills. Volunteers were trained to help as aides in all classes, working directly with children to provide an art program and language development. The League provided financial support for salaries and purchase of instructive materials. In 1984-1985 the League provided financial and volunteer support to the School with newly developed DISTAR materials and provided advanced training for teachers. In 1990-1992 the League provided volunteer and financial support to update and purchase reading and math materials. Volunteers selected materials, and helped teachers with the orientation as well as volunteered as aides. The League furnished a classroom at their new location in North Chattanooga.
1975 – 2002 T.C. THOMPSON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
The League provided financial support and volunteers to implement the play therapy program, the therapist’s salary and to help furnish the new playrooms.
1976 – COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY SERVICES
The League joined with the other four Tennessee Leagues to fund the salary of a state-wide CES coordinator for two years.
1976-1978 – UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY
The League provided financial support to for an infant development program.
1977 – BLOOD ASSURANCE, INC.
The League provided financial support to purchase a six-donor station mobile set to be taken into locations such as office buildings or industries to draw blood.
1977-1978 – MOCCASIN BEND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Patients from the Winston Building of Moccasin Bend Psychiatric Hospital were able to spend their behavior modification tokens at the Bargain Mart in the amount of $209 per patient monthly. A total of $2,500 in merchandise was bought during a one-year period.
1977-1981 CHATTANOOGA NATURE CENTER
The League provided financial for a director for the first year and the leadership support to create a Nature Center for the community. Volunteers assisted with class guides, natural resources, collectors and fundraisers. A salary was also provided for the Chief Naturalist.
1979-1980, 1985-1986 – SCENIC LAND SCHOOL
The Scenic Land School for learning disabled children was provided various sums and volunteer assistance for creative classroom work, as well as scholarship assistance. In 1985-1986, volunteers offered eight extra-curricular courses with topics in the areas of art, music, dance and logic games
1981-1982 – FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES
The League provided financial support to the salary of a Volunteer Coordinator.
1981-1982 – DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE FORUM
A Drug and Substance Abuse Forum, planned jointly with the Adult Education Council in 1982.
1982-1989 – VERY SPECIAL ARTS FESTIVAL
The League co-sponsored with the Kiwanis Club with a grant from the National Committee provided Arts for the Handicapped; VSAF served over 1,000 regional handicapped youths at the first annual festival. The festival provided opportunities to participate in music, dance, drama and creative visual arts. The League provided financial and volunteer support to conduct in-service workshops for artists and educators in conjunction with the Festival and to provide year-round and ongoing arts programs and experiences to enrich classroom curriculum.
1982 and 1988 – KALEIDOSCOPE
The League provided volunteer support to Kaleidoscope; an art workshop for children ages 6 to 12 presented and funded by Hallmark Cards, Inc. The exhibit required over 200 volunteers during its 10-day visit and served over 2,500 children.
1983-1984 – CHEMICAL PEOPLE
The Chemical People began as a series of two national PBS-TV programs shown to groups of concerned citizens in an effort to educate them on the problem of substance abuse. Some 3,824 citizens participated in 27 town meetings that were held throughout the Chattanooga area.
1983-1987 – “SKILLS FOR LIVING”
The League sponsored a lecture by Rick Little, Chairman of the National Drug Abuse Task Force and the Executive Director of the Quest Foundation focusing on his “Skills for Living” program. High schools integrated this program into their curriculum with funding from the League and other area foundations, corporations and individuals.
1983-Present – COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The League is committed to recognizing outstanding voluntary service in our community in order to support and encourage those who give of their time and energies toward the betterment of our city. Each year, the League presents the Community Service Award to a volunteer who supports Chattanooga tirelessly, and significantly.
1984-1988 – “I’M SPECIAL”
“I’m Special” was a program of activities to instill in children that they are special in their own unique way. Eight sessions were designed to increase students’ self-esteem and sense of identity, to develop decision making and communication skills, and promote a better understanding of feelings.
1984-1985 – SCULPTURE: EXPLORING THREE DIMENSIONS
An estimated 4,000 people took part in this League sponsored art project at the Hunter Museum, designed to help children understand the world of sculpture. 55 schools and other groups participated in the “hands-on” workshops and tours given during the 6-week exhibition.
1985-1988 – HAMILTON COUNTY JUVENILE COURT
The League provided a volunteer advocate support to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). The trained volunteer included an investigator, advocate, facilitator, monitor, and/or reporter on behalf of a child.
1985-1987 – FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES OF CHATTANOOGA, INC.
The League trained volunteers in all areas of crisis intervention with respect to victims of family violence. Volunteers helped run the newly established Family Violence Hotline.
1986-1987 – SENIOR DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND YMCA
The program provided assistance and services to help older persons remain independent and functional at home as long as possible.
1987-1988 – READ FOR SUCCESS
“Read for Success” provided high interest reading materials and volunteers to be used in a pilot project to make adult reading classes more attractive and practical.
1987-1988 – IN-LEAGUE WITH EDUCATION
“In-League with Education” provided an opportunity for all Hamilton County secondary school teachers to apply for grants for special classroom projects or school-wide enrichment programs.
1988-Present – MINI-GRANTS FOR TEACHERS
Since 1988, the League has given varying grants up to $750 to Hamilton County K-12 educators to enable them to express their creativity and visions through special classroom projects or school-wide enrichment programs.
1988-1990 – FORTWOOD CENTER NURSERY
The League provided financial and volunteers for pre-school children who have been abused or neglected. Funds helped purchase audio materials to educate Fortwood pre-school children in the area of self-protection from abuse and in the area of general development.
1989-1991 and 2004-2005- HANDS ON WITH HABITAT
The League provided volunteer and financial support to Habitat for Humanity, which seeks to eliminate poverty housing by helping chosen families build their own affordable homes. The “Junior League House”, completed in 2005, was the 10th “Women Build” project in Chattanooga.
1989-1990 – SIGNAL CENTERS
The League provided volunteer and financial support to create a “library” of toys which are developmentally appropriate and designed for physically and mentally disabled children.