GFWC Violets Junior Woman’s Club’s Community Service Programs and Special Projects focus on major issues that affect our communities daily—supporting women’s health, preserving natural resources, promoting literacy and equality, citizen advocacy, and encouraging volunteer service—and fall into the following areas of focus: Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement & Outreach, Environment, Education & Libraries, and Health & Wellness.

There is something for everyone who becomes a member of the Federation. Each Community Service Program has an area where club members work to improve their communities through different projects. There are also organizations that Partner with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and provide resources and suggestions for each Program. GFWC Program partners are the organizations with whom GFWC has established a formal relationship and mutual understanding.

Arts & Culture Community Service Program
The study of art and culture enriches the human experience. Art education improves problem solving and critical thinking skills, builds focus and perseverance, and nurtures creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Cultural awareness promotes effective communication and profoundly increases the ability to appreciate and enjoy a variety of new people and experiences. 

Program Ideas:

  • Sponsor a Youth Art Contest during Youth Art Month in March. Art for Youth
  • Foster Community Art
  • Member Craft Competition
  • Photography & Member Writing Contests
  • Youth Writing & Art Contests

Civic Engagement & Outreach Community Service Program:

The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community— locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The four “broad strokes” of this effort include: Citizenship; Crime Prevention, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness; the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Our Military Personnel and Veterans. 

  • Support and aid women veterans in our community
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Citizenship Participation
  • Community Safety
  • Home Safety
  • Vehicle Safety

Education & Libraries Community Service Program:

GFWC members promote education in both children and adults. We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world.

Program Ideas:

  • Scholarships
  • Adult Literacy Family Literacy
  • Youth Literacy Tutoring

Partnerships

conservation-csp

Environment Community Service Program

The GFWC Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature. 

Program ideas:

  • Community Beautification Projects
  • Tree-Planting and Preservation Projects
  • Litter Prevention Projects
  • Climate Change

Health & Wellness Community Service Program

The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our wellbeing, we must address three key components: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas. 

Program Ideas:

  • Hunger in America
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Self-Worth
  • Weight Loss Challenge
  • Heart Disease
  • Breast Cancer
  • Recognize National Immunization Awareness Month in August
  • Share information with club and community members on various topics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as disease and conditions, healthy living, traveler’s health, emergency preparedness, and more.
  • Partner with a local assisted living home to provide senior exercise equipment such as leg pedaling machines, resistance bands, and/or yoga mats. 
  • Educate, advocate, and/or donate during Mental Health Awareness month in May.
  • Offer resources and/or promote programs that prevent bullying, so children and youth are safeguarded and supported at school, in the community, and online..

GFWC Advancement Areas
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Areas, these areas are now recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program.  These programs are intended to benefit the Clubs.  They include:

  • Communication & Public Relations
  • Fundraising and Development
  • Leadership/LEADS
  • Membership
  • Women’s History and Resource Center
  • Legislative and Public Policy

GFWC Advancement Areas
Because of the integral nature of the GFWC Advancement Areas, these areas are now recognized as core Advancement areas of any successful program.  These programs are intended to benefit the Clubs.  They include:

  • Communication & Public Relations
  • Fundraising and Development
  • Leadership/LEADS
  • Membership
  • Women’s History and Resource Center
  • Legislative and Public Policy

Our GFWC Affiliates

We are proud to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association, Canine Companions, Heifer International, Hope for Justice, March of Dimes, Operation Smile, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and UNICEF USA for a greater reach and synergy to move the hearts and minds of masses to support our collective causes for the greater good.

Strategic partnerships are a key component of GFWC’s advocacy and public policy strategy. Like other organizations, GFWC uses its limited resources to maximize our impact for the benefit Community Service Projects undertaken by members.

GFWC Affiliate Organizations provide the issue expert insight, as well as important tools and resources, such as messaging, toolkits, graphics, speakers, and much more for social marketing campaigns.

Platinum Affiliates:

Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

Heifer International

Heifer International partners with smallholder farmers – especially women farmers – to improve their families’ food security and increase their incomes.

Hope for Justice

Hope for Justice prevents exploitation, rescues victims, restores lives & reforms society. As a global non-profit, they aim to end human trafficking and modern slavery.

Shot@Life | United Nations Foundation

Shot@Life is a United Nations Foundation campaign working to ensure everyone in the world has access to lifesaving vaccines and all children have a shot at life.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude is dedicated to treating kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In addition to patient treatment, St. Jude is focused on cutting-edge research to help better understand pediatric cancer and how to treat it.

Operation Smile

Through their expertise in treating cleft lip and cleft palate, Operation Smile creates solutions that deliver safe surgery to people where it’s needed most.

Gold Affiliates:

Canine Companions

Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so their clients and their dogs can live with greater independence.

March of Dimes

March of Dimes believes in a world where every mom and baby is healthy regardless of wealth, race, gender or geography.

UNICEF USA

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.