The Junior League of Charlotte has adopted the following Position Statements in recognition of the membership’s strong commitment in each of these areas.  Issues currently being addressed by the League committees under the direction of the Board of Directors may appear after the Position Statement.  These issues will be updated or revised at the discretion of the JLC Board.

ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (Adopted 1978, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PREVENTION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY COALITIONS, AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE FOR PHYSICAL, PSCYCHOLOGICAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. 

ON COMMUNITY PLANNING (Adopted 1978, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE INC. SUPPORTS COORDINATED CITY AND COUNTY EFFORTS REGARDING LAND USE, NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT THAT LEADS TO A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

ON EDUCATION (Adopted 1980, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

ON THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (Adopted 1981, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS PROGRAMS WHICH ENABLE THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL TO DEVELOP TO HIS/HER FULL POTENTIAL AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.

ON OLDER ADULTS (Adopted 1981, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES ESSENTIAL FOR THE PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS.

ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE (Adopted 1986, Revised 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES PROGRAMS THAT WILL EDUCATE AND FACILITATE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ABUSE.

ON VOLUNTARISM (Adopted 1986)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC, WHOSE PURPOSE IS EXCLUSIVELY EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE, SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES VOLUNTARISM AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF OUR SOCIETY.  WE WILL CONTINUE UTILIZING OUR RESOURCES AND DIRECTING OUR EFFORTS TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ON HEALTH (Adopted 1989)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTS PROGRAMS WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS ARE PROVIDED ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPTIMAL PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

ON VIOLENCE (ADOPTED 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL REDUCE OR PREVENT VIOLENCE

ON THE ENVIRONMENT (Adopted 1991)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL HELP PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT

ON ADOLESCENT ISSUES (Adopted 1997-1998)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. ADVOCATES FOR PROGRAMS WHICH ADDRESS ADOLESCENT ISSUES SUCH AS TEEN PREGNANCY, VIOLENCE, DRUG ABUSE, JOB TRAINING, MENTORING, AND MENTAL HEALTH.
ISSUES:TEENAGE PREGNANCY PREVENTION
BELIEF STATEMENTS:
 WE BELIEVE:

• THE UNIQUE HEALTH CARE NEEDS SHOULD BE MET THROUGH ACCESS TO NEIGHBORHOOD BASED, USER FRIENDLY, FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES;
• IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM AND INSTILLING FORWARD THINKING GOALS AND HOPE IS VITATL TO PREVENTING TEENAGE PREGNANCY;
• COACHING PARENTS AND ADULT MENTORS TO SERVE AS ROLE MODELS IS VITAL;
• ADOLESCENTS ENGAGED IN AN ACTIVE AND FULFILLING LIFESTYLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BECOME PREGNANT.
  

THEREFORE, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE WILL SUPPPORT EFFORTS TO ENGAGE ADOLESCENTS IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES; INCREASE THE SUPPORTIVE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES; AND INCREASE PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE TO THEM TO REDUCE TEENAGE PREGNANCY.

ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (Adopted 1997-1998)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. ADVOCATES FOR SCHOOL READINESS THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, PARENTING SKILLS, CHILD HEALTH AND POSITIVE HOME ENVIRONMENTS FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN AND PARENTS.
ISSUES: EFFECTIVE PARENTING SKILLS FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN
BELIEF STATEMENTS:
 WE BELIEVE:

• SCHOOL SUCCESS IS PREDICTIVE OF LONG-TERM SUCCESS IN ADULT LIFE;
• EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ENRICHING PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE;
• A STRONG PARENTING COMPONENT COMBINED WTH STRONG PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO REALIZING A CHILD’S POTENTIAL
  

THEREFORE, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE WILL SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT INCREASE THE NUMBER AND QUALITY OF PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS; INCREASE PARENTAL SUPPORT AND INVOLVOVEMENT; AND DECREASE THE BARRIERS OF AT-RISK CHILDREN FOR QUALITY PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCES.

ON FAMILY PRESERVATION (Adopted 1997-1998)

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. ADVOCATES FOR PROGRAMS WHICH STRENGTHEN AND PRESERVE FAMILIES THROUGH PROJECTS ADDRESSING SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL, THE FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY.
ISSUES: FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY
BELIEF STATEMENTS:
 WE BELIEVE:

• EDUCATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE ADULT LEARNER;
•  JOBS AND LIFE SKILL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE CRUCIAL FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY;
• STABLE NEIGHBORHOOD ENCOURAGES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CREATES JOB POTENTIAL.

THEREFORE, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE WILL SUPPORT EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES, THAT STRENGTHEN AND PRESERVE FAMILIES; ADDRESS UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT; AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT PROBLEMS THAT INTERFERE WITH SELF- SUFFICIENCY.