Community Assistance Grants are funded, in part, by the Barbara and Roy Adams Endowed Community Grant Fund held by the Junior League of Houston Foundation. This endowed fund was made possible through a generous estate gift from Barbara Beardmore Adams (1940 – 2014), a Junior League member from 1982 – 2014. This funding focuses on children’s health and well-being initiatives and literacy/education enrichment.

For 2021 – 2022, the League awarded $150,000 in Community Assistance grants to the following agencies:

$10,000 to Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans: To support the organization’s Early Childhood Center by providing them with a die-cut machine, laminator, supplies and professional development courses for the staff. The Early Childhood Center provides affordable, quality care for low-income families in the predominately Spanish-speaking East End community, through a bilingual program.

$20,000 to Chance for Hope Foundation: To support the organization’s Residence Program, which provides rent-free, one-bedroom, fully furnished apartments in the Medical Center for out-of-town families whose children are being treated in the Texas Medical Center.

$15,000 to FACES Autism*: To support the organization’s Applied Behavior Analysis therapy scholarship program. By providing scholarships for ABA therapy, children with autism are taught new functional strategies that improve outcomes across home and school life.

$10,000 to Foster Care Advocacy Center: To support the organization’s pilot program of preventative legal advocacy services. This program preserves families in Houston by helping individuals navigate legal processes, address barriers and get court orders that eliminate safety risks and the need for removal of the children into foster care.

$10,000 to Girls Empowerment Network: To support the organization’s expansion of its Girl Connect program to another Title I school in Houston Independent School District. The Girl Connect program partners the agency with HISD schools to improve educational outcomes for girls, parents and teachers and to assist with social-emotional recovery in the wake of the pandemic.

$10,000 to San Francisco Nativity Academy: To support the organization’s Breakfast Program. The families served at SFNA are low-income and providing a healthy breakfast, lunch and a snack before they head home in the evening, not only gives the parents one less expense but also helps the agency ensure that each student is provided with nutritious meals each day.

$10,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc.: To support a Bed Build Day! for the organization – which will allow 40 beds to be built and delivered fully equipped to Houstonian children in need.

$10,000 to St. Bernard Project, Inc.: To support the organization’s rebuilding program in Houston to assist homeowners with home repairs after Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri.

$20,000 to The Children’s Assessment Center Foundation: To support the organization’s “Every Child Has Access Fund” which provides families with assistance for services such as food, transportation, internet, housing, protective orders and domestic violence intervention.

$20,000 to The H.E.A.R.T. Program: To support the organization’s 2022 Summer Youth Internship Program, which provides a valuable educational opportunity, combined with some work experience, for up to 50 low-income teens with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

$10,000 to YES Prep Public Schools*: To support the organization’s Elementary Literacy Program which provides curriculum approved books for classroom libraries and personalized reading bags for students to bring home to encourage daily reading.

$5,000 to Young Women’s Preparatory Network: To support the “To and Through College Path” program. This program helps students build the academic resume and develop skills/confidence to allow them to be successful in any collegiate setting (starting in the 6th grade).

*These agencies were funded in part by the Barbara and Roy Adams Endowed Community Grant Fund. 

The Junior League of Houston hosted its 74th Annual Charity Ball: The Road Home for an Unforgettable “Welcome Home” Celebration to Benefit Community. After spending the past year apart, over 600 Junior League members, patrons and donors returned home to the League for the highly-anticipated annual gala and raised a total of $900,000 to fund the League’s community initiatives. In 1925, deep in the heart of Texas, 12 determined women founded The Junior League of Houston, Inc. with the mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Today the Junior League continues to be a key part of the philanthropic landscape across the Houston community and the Charity Ball is an integral source of funding for their Community Program to support the city of Houston and the hearts of those touched by the League’s volunteer service each day.

This year, guests at the event included Jennifer Scheifley Roberts, Rachel Regan, Megan and Luke Hotze, Madison and Faisal Tai, Amy Comiskey, Marcy De Luna, Avery and Kadriye Alcorn, Holly and Ryan Henry, Jayne Johnston , Emily and Kolby Wahl. The gorgeous Ball flaunted a Texas-inspired décor and florals and hosted a silent auction for guests, followed by a scrumptious three-course dinner from the Tea Room with premium wine pairings. The evening also included a performance from Junior League members, an exciting raffle, and whiskey tastings from Giant Distillery. Johnny Bravo Entertainment led the live auction which included luxe items like trips to Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico, custom made “His + Hers” boots from Republic Boot Company and tickets to see none other than the king of country himself, George Strait. Contributing $100,000 to the fundraiser, bidders took home items such as live paintings from Taft McWhorter, trips to the unforgettable Kentucky Bourbon Trail and beautiful Waikiki, diamonds from Diamonds Direct and timeless turquoise jewelry from Christina Greene. Closing out the evening, guests got their boot-scootin’ boogie on and two-stepped the night away to live music from The Grooves on Friday evening and the Honky Tonk Revivalists on Saturday evening.

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE’S annual Charity Ball was a true taste of Texas, hosting 600-plus members and their guests for the first large-scale event in two years.

From the comfort-food-chic fare — a la mac and cheese alongside a crab-topped filet, and finished off with a pecan ball and lemon ice box pie — to the décor, which included thousands of Texas wildflowers, the great state shone brightly. There was even a boot-polishing station and a whiskey-tasting setup courtesy of Giant Distillery.

A live auction raised $100,000 by flaunting items like a vacay to Belize, a tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, tickets to see George Strait, custom his-and-hers boots from Republic Boot Company, and jewelry galore. The Grooves and the Honky Tonk Revivalists jammed out as guests boot-scooted their way onto the dance floor.

The weekend’s till topped $900,000. Yee-haw!

Source: Houston CityBook

What: The Junior League of Houston 74th annual Charity Ball

Where: The Junior League home on Briar Oaks Lane

PC Moment: Three performances by league members, three seated dinners and three nights of celebratory fundraising resulted in Junior League coffers being enriched by $900,000. The annual Charity Ball events began on Thursday night with a preview titled “Under the Marfa Lights,” a Texas-themed dinner, the Charity Ball Celebration video and entertainment from former American Idol contestant and touring musician Kate Watson.

Friday and Saturday nights the format followed tradition with entertainment by talented league members, a seated dinner, auctions and dancing to the sounds of The Grooves. Friday’s option included the Late Night Charity Ball with a lower ticket price that included drinks and dancing to The Grooves.

“The Road Home” theme of the main nights and Texas centric decor encouraged guests to don their Western hats along with their black-tie attire. Whiskey tastings from Giant Distillery added to the ambience.

Auctioneer Johnny Bravo took the stage to auction off such items as the coveted Junior League parking space, a trip to Costa Rica, custom made boots from Republic Boot Company and tickets to a George Strait concert.

Bringing the event to fruition was a dedicated crew that included JLH president Jennifer Scheifley Roberts and ball chairs Lauren Rae Brown, Charity Ball chair; Laura Rickaway, entertainment chair; Carson Coffman Kelley, invitations and reservations chair; Megan E. Brown, underwriting chair; Dionella Natasha Martinez, auction chair; and Anaam Zamorano, decorations chair.

Source: PaperCity, by Shelby Hodge, February 7, 2022

You are invited to experience…

The Stars At Night

Late Night at Charity Ball

Tickets are $100 per person and include drinks and dancing to The Grooves.

Friday, February 4, 2022

9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

For questions, please contact Lauren Brown, Charity Ball Chairman, at charityball@jlh.org  or Carson Coffman Kelley, Charity Ball Invitations and Reservations Chairman, at charityballreservations@jlh.org.

Shop and give back! Shop at Tootsies now through Monday, January 31, 2022, and five percent of proceeds will be donated to Junior League of Houston. This is a great time to get your Charity Ball gown, an outfit for Style Show or a new outfit for spring! To ensure funds are earmarked, please present the attached voucher during checkout.

Join us for Thursday Night’s Charity Ball Preview Night: Under the Marfa Lights! Tickets go on sale on Monday, December 6, 2021. The evening will include a Texas-themed plated dinner, margaritas, beer, wine and champagne, an unforgettable silent auction, and entertainment including the Charity Ball Celebration Video as well as live music from American Idol contestant and touring musician Kate Watson.

Thursday, February 3, 2022
7 p.m., 1811 Briar Oaks Lane

Tickets are:
$1,750 / VIP Table
$1,500 / Reserved Table
$125 / General Seating

A special thank you to the Thursday Night Hostess Committee!
Shannon Addison, Rebecca Adler, Megan Anson, Laura Bonck, Bethany Buchanan, Kalinda Campbell, Laura Carter, Margaret Clark, Rebecca Dalton, Michelle Esparza, Melissa Garlington, Sydney Goss, Katie Grahmann, Maddy Gunderson, Laura Hand, Tara Merla Hinton, Elizabeth Kendrick, Christina Kost, Alicia Lee, Melissa Matsu, Jordan McPhail, Carla Mondt, Marie Newton, Judy Peterson, Michael Ann Singleton, Stephanie Swingle, Laura Thompson and DaviAnn Worthington

For questions, please contact Lauren Brown, Charity Ball Chairman, at charityball@jlh.org  or Carson Coffman Kelley, Charity Ball Invitations and Reservations Chairman, at charityballreservations@jlh.org.

Join us for Thursday Night’s Charity Ball Preview Night: Under the Marfa Lights! Tickets go on sale on Monday, December 6, 2021. The evening will include a Texas-themed plated dinner, margaritas, beer, wine and champagne, an unforgettable silent auction, and entertainment including the Charity Ball Celebration Video as well as live music from American Idol contestant and touring musician Kate Watson.

Tickets are:
$1,750 / VIP Table
$1,500 / Reserved Table
$125 / General Seating

A special thank you to the Thursday Night Hostess Committee!
Shannon Addison, Rebecca Adler, Megan Anson, Laura Bonck, Bethany Buchanan, Kalinda Campbell, Laura Carter, Margaret Clark, Rebecca Dalton, Michelle Esparza, Melissa Garlington, Sydney Goss, Katie Grahmann, Maddy Gunderson, Laura Hand, Tara Merla Hinton, Elizabeth Kendrick, Christina Kost, Alicia Lee, Melissa Matsu, Jordan McPhail, Carla Mondt, Marie Newton, Judy Peterson, Michael Ann Singleton, Stephanie Swingle, Laura Thompson and DaviAnn Worthington

For questions, please contact Lauren Brown, Charity Ball Chairman, at charityball@jlh.org  or Carson Coffman Kelley, Charity Ball Invitations and Reservations Chairman, at charityballreservations@jlh.org.

The Junior League of Houston will host two Open Houses. Prospective members are required to attend one Open House. The Prospective Member Open Houses will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, and Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 7 p.m.

The Junior League of Houston has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our community. To ensure the health and safety of all participants, the Prospective Member Open House on Thursday, January 13, 2022, will be a virtual-only event.

Please take a moment to register here to attend virtually.

For more information about becoming a member, please visit the website.

If you have questions, please contact Katie Doyle, Admissions Chairman, at 713.871.6666 or admissions@jlh.org, or Sara-Nell Van Lant, Membership Vice President, at membership_vp@jlh.org.