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.
As a new project for 2022, Bridge the Gap was created to appreciate the differences that separate kids by providing activities that include children regardless of visible or invisible disability, race, gender, or sexual orientation. The project currently funds five tiny libraries in public parks in our service area, focusing the book content on diversity and cultural appreciation. The project also hosts bingo game nights with special needs friends from the DREAM program, paint parties for kids with autism, free photos with Santa, and a youth activity booth at the Annual Gulf Coast Equality Festival.
Focuses on meeting the needs of the community through partnerships other 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 Crown Club”s mission is 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 Art and Banners for schools, CASA Christmas Stockings, Night to Shine special needs Prom, and a variety of other community activities. The JABOS Committee strives to develop character and leadership of Crown Club members while identifying needs and demonstrating the act of caring for others.
Fit4Life is a project that addresses the mental and physical well-being of children in our service area. They are introduced to healthy eating habits, physical fitness, and lifestyle tools to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. The ultimate goal is to equip the children with a foundation of mental and physical health.
Provides formal dresses, jewelry, and accessories to middle and high school-aged young ladies for homecoming and prom events at minimal cost. Young ladies 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. Focuses on breaking the cycle of dependency by providing the basic necessities of life including food, clothing, shelter, and emotional support through ongoing chapter and recipient relationships. We address the family’s needs and help the family get on their feet to become a self-sufficient part of society.
KiCKs project serves the children of Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA Volunteers are community volunteers, 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.
Assisting students academically, financially, socially, physically and emotionally for what life after graduation is waiting for them. 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 their k-12 life greatly impacts how successful of a young adult they will be. We do this by hosting ACT prep workshops, career/college fairs, large impactful scholarships, tutoring, adulting 101 courses, healthy relationship/dating seminars, abuse awareness seminars, and stay safe and play events. Whether a students plans to enter college, the workforce, military, or any other pay he or she may take we hope we can be a small part in their overall accomplishments. Specifically, the Ann Wesson scholarships are awarded to deserving high school seniors in memory of one of our past JABOS presidents and National Junior Auxiliary Scholarship Committee member, Mrs. Ann Wesson. Scholarships are awarded based on student need, activities, community service, academic achievement and essay response.
To apply for the Ann Wesson Memorial Scholarship, click here.
All members of JABOS are assigned 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.
Our members visit children residing at the The Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence once a week 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 encourage good grades, help with homework, tutoring, provide snacks as well as physical and mental activities.