The Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs serves children and their families in our communities through one of our 11 service projects. Our service year runs from May 1-April 30, and members work to provide everything from basic necessities to college scholarships and ACT preparation for children in our communities. This year, we are on track to serve over 10,000 children and families through projects sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs.
Bridge the Gap was created to appreciate the differences that separate kids by providing activities that are inclusive of children regardless
of visible or invisible disability, race, gender, or sexual orientation. The project currently funds eight tiny libraries in public parks in our service area, focusing the book content on diversity and cultural appreciation. The project is also home to Bridge the Gap ICONS,
an influencer collaborative experience for teens to acknowledge diversity, advocating for representation in media and fashion while building confidence through validating their identity, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting self-worth. Bridge the Gap hosts paint parties for kids with autism, free photos with Santa, and a youth activity booth at the Annual Gulf Coast Equality Festival.
Community Connections focuses on meeting the needs of the community through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, governmental agencies, or other agencies. This project has partnered with the Special Needs Organization of South Mississippi, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Angel Tree, Community Care Network, Girl Scouts and others in our service area. The project is also home to Buckets of Happiness, which supplies disadvantaged pediatric patients with personal hygiene as well as fun, educational items to assist them during their hospital stay.
Crown Club is an organization of high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in the JABOS service area. Members are selected by a committee through an online application process. The mission of this project seeks to foster interest in social, economic, educational, civic and cultural conditions among its members. Crown Club serves our community through projects selected or created by its members, such as “Welcome Back” banners for schools, CASA Christmas Stockings, ‘Night to Shine’ special needs Prom, and a variety of other community activities. This JABOS Committee strives to develop the character and leadership of Crown Club members while identifying needs in the community and demonstrating the act of caring for others through meeting those needs.
Fit4Life is a project that addresses the mental and physical well-being of children in our service area. We supply them with healthy snacks, lead fun group fitness activities, and introduce different tools that help promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Our ultimate goal is to equip children with a foundation of mental and physical health. Throughout the year, we host playground meet ups where we “Shake Off the Back-to-School Jitters” and have “The Turkey Toss”. We also partner throughout the year with the Dream Program and help with all their activities. Our biggest event is our race, “Kickin’ It #ForTheKids”, held in March.
Provides formal dresses, jewelry, and accessories to middle and high school-aged students for homecoming and prom events at minimal cost. Shoppers are showered with one-on-one attention from members to find the perfect attire and encourage self-confidence.
Our Chapter’s National Service project is “I MATTER”. Each year, chapter members establish a relationship with a local family with children. The I MATTER project focuses on breaking the cycle of dependency by providing the basic necessities of life including a financial seminar, food, clothing, emotional support and other needs specific to each family through ongoing chapter and recipient relationships. We address the families’ needs and help the families become a self-sufficient part of society.
KiCKs project serves the children of Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA Volunteers are community members, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Jackson County CASA supports these CASA Volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who are in the Jackson County Family Court system due to abuse or neglect. KiCKs provides for the children of CASA through the following service opportunities: Back to School Backpacks filled with School Supplies, Halloween Buckets, Adoption Day Celebration, Christmas Blessing Bags, monthly Birthday Wishes, and Easter Baskets.
LAHS assists students academically, financially, socially, physically and emotionally for what life has to offer after graduation. Our mission is to foster and help positively shape students to be their most successful self after they leave the K-12 environment, in every aspect of their lives. The experiences students have during K-12 greatly impact how successful of a young adult they will become. This project serves the community by hosting ACT prep workshops, creating career/college fairs, holding healthy relationship/dating seminars, providing a special treat for state test students, and planning “Stay Safe and Play” events. Whether a student plans to enter college, the workforce, military or any other path he/she may take, this project provides assistance to achieve success. This project also awards Ann Wesson scholarships to high school seniors in memory of one of the past JABOS presidents and National Junior Auxiliary Scholarship Committee Member, Mrs. Ann Wesson. Scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria: student need, extracurricular activities, community service, academics, essay response and referrals. This scholarship gives students who are truly in need of financial assistance a chance
to make their future a little brighter.
To apply for the Ann Wesson Memorial Scholarship, click here.
School Aid partners all members of JABOS with a school in either Biloxi, Ocean Springs, D’Iberville, St. Martin, and Vancleave school districts to help provide clothing, school supplies, medical, dental, and financial assistance for children that are in need. This is all in partnership with the school counselors, nurses and teachers. Once a student in need is identified by the school, the assigned member is called to fill the request as needed. We find that working directly with the schools opens up many needs that otherwise we would not know.
For Tomorrow’s Promises, our members visit children residing at The Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence one to two times a month while their mothers are in group sessions. We want the children to know that we are there for them and to be a positive influence as they grow and strive past their circumstances. We aim to provide fun, loving, and nurturing events for the children living in the shelter by providing fun snacks and physical and mental activities.