Service Projects
"Kids Count"
This is our flagship program through which eighth-graders are counseled in appropriate decision making in the areas of drug and
alcohol abuse, self-esteem, teen relationships, and career goals. The emphasis of the project is to make young people realize that the decisions they
make today could impact them for the rest of their lives. Kids Count serves approximately 1,000 local students each year.
"INK" - Inspirational Notes for Kids
One of the Junior Auxiliary's newest projects in which members exchange monthly letters with young girls
at Jackson Elementary School. The relationship established between the individual member and the girl provides the girl with emotional support, exercises
her language and writing skills, and develops a trusting friendship between the participants. At the end of the school year, the participants meet at a
special tea to celebrate their new friendships!
Hope House
One night each month, members of JA bring dinner and dessert to the young people participating in the program at Hope House in
Pascagoula. Additionally, we have volunteered to help provide Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas gifts to the participants. (In recent years, JA members,
past and present, have provided Christmas gifts to close to 100 young people through this project!)
JA Day
This is a fun-filled day at the Beach Park through which elementary-aged children are taught vital safety skills to protect themselves in
various situations. The program includes lessons from the local law enforcement and fire safety agencies, valuable information concerning physical and
sexual abuse, and basic bicycle safety. Additionally, as part of JA Day, members have renewed a former project, .Arts in the Park,. which teaches various
art forms to participants. Approximately 500 local children participated in this program in March 2008.
Rhonda Crane Center
JA provides the Rhonda Crane Center with bags filled with pajamas, journals, appropriate magazines, puzzle books, and
various other personal items for the children who are removed from their parents. custody and brought to the shelter for temporary housing.
School Outreach
This project addresses the needs of the local school systems.including providing school uniforms, "Socks for Tots", and
the "Teacher's Pantry", to ensure that local school children have all the needed supplies for their education. This project serves all of the schools
in Pascagoula, Moss Point, and Gautier.
Done in a Day
In these efforts we work in conjunction with other civic-oriented organizations to assist in one-day service projects-includes Salvation
Army Bell Ringers, American Heart Association's Heart Walk, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Headstart programs, Kaboom park building projects, etc.
The Junior Auxiliary of Pascagoula-Moss Point also participates in a number of other local community activities including the Sandra Eisler Summer Art Camp for Children, the Zonta Festival, Christmas by the River, and the Exceptional School. Through the combination of these many projects, the Junior Auxiliary of Pascagoula-Moss Point serves thousands of local children.