In the historic city of Savannah, GA, the Golden Isles chapter of Jack and Jill of America made history as one of the newest chapters in the national organization on October 8, 2022. The chartering milestone celebrated a year of working and living to impact the lives of children in Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh counties.
The president of the newly chartered chapter, Shontae Buffington, and chapter vice president, Kaia Alderson, desired to provide an opportunity for their children to engage with other mothers and children via strategic programming. This longing led them to invite other like-minded mothers in the neighboring counties of Camden, Glynn, and McIntosh to engage in this process. As a result of their diligent work and the sponsorship of the Savannah Chapter, and mother members, a provisional group was formed in 2021. After a presentation celebrating the local community, mothers, children, and programming, the 45th National Convention of Jack and Jill of America approved the Golden Isles Provisional Group as a provisional chapter.
Charter members participated in monthly sessions with national and regional officers and committee chairs for over a year to prepare them to facilitate effective chapter operations, protocol, and programming. The Golden Isles Chapter established five grade groups to provide the children with developmentally appropriate activities designed by the mother members. Each program aligned with National Program Thrusts under education, culture, civic, social/recreational, and health.
After a year of learning and growing in Jack and Jill, the 24 charter mother members are excited to further the national organization’s work by dedicating their efforts to raising future African-American leaders while impacting the lives of all children.