JACK & JILL OF AMERICA INC.
JAMES RIVER VIRGINIA CHAPTER
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
I bring you greetings on behalf of the Jazzy James River Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, where I am honored to serve as Chapter President. Here, we strive to operate in excellence in all aspects of our lives, especially in our role as Mothers.
In the James River Chapter, EXCELLENCE is the standard. We exemplify this standard in all areas of Jack and Jill including but not limited to ​MEMBERSHIP, PROGRAMMING and COMMUNITY SERVICE throughout the greater Richmond, Virginia area. Times change, but the challenges remain. Unjust policies continue to adversely affect our community. From voter suppression, biased policing practices, increasing incarceration rates of African-American males, decreasing educational opportunities, and attempts to erase our rich history are just a sample of the obstacles our children face. In the face of pressures and injustices, our Founders chose excellence as a tool to prepare ourselves and ALL children for the struggle.
Excellence in MEMBERSHIP is critical to our organization. Our member mothers operate in excellence to ensure that we maintain a 5-STAR chapter. Our commitment to excellence is essential to ensure QUALITY PROGRAMMING which is the core of the James River Chapter. Our children experience programming that both educate and expose them to our broad and varied history as African Americans, as well as part of the African diaspora. We use this information to reinforce our collective sense of pride, purpose and action.
​Finally, we operate in excellence on mission and on purpose with our COMMUNITY SERVICE initiatives. The James River Chapter has partnered with Richmond Public Schools, FeedMore and the Jack & Jill Foundation; We look forward to forging new relationships in our effort to empower our community.
Purpose-defining moment: In January 1938, Marion Stubbs Thomas organized a group of twenty-one mothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the idea of establishing a social and cultural union for their children. -https://www.jackandjillinc.org/our-history
This group of visionaries supported each other to create a sustainable model of chapters that bring together mothers who share a passion for all children in our communities.
On Sunday, September 18, 2005, with the vision of founder Marion Stubbs Thomas as their guiding light, seventeen sensational mothers chartered the James River Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The James River’s familial atmosphere created by the sisterly bond of our Mother Members with focus on philanthropic activities renders us the premier Jack and Jill organization in the area. EXCELLENCE is our standard as we live, work and play together.
​​Thank you again for visiting our website. ​
Brooke
Brooke Taylor, Esq.
​President, James River Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated
JRVA CHAPTER & NATIONAL HISTORY
The James River Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was chartered in 2005 with 17 mothers and 23 children. The group was excited about serving a more focused and community-minded purpose. Membership included a diverse group of mothers who were visionaries, role models, servant leaders and community builders. In the last ten years we have nearly doubled in membership and continue to achieve high levels of success in programming activities and community service.
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The James River Chapter created the Teen Leadership Institute in collaboration with the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership and Leadership Metro Richmond which was nominated to become the national program for all Jack and Jill Chapters in 2006.
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Our signature event, beginning its seventh year is the Richmond Renaissance Junior Cotillion. This event builds social self-confidence, teach social graces and manners, and provides the opportunity socialize with peers in a constructive environment.
Additionally, our families participate in activities like the CASA Superhero 5K walk/run as volunteers and participants, and Virginia Legislative Day.
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The chapter’s vision and purpose continues to be driven by a shared passion to create opportunities to positively impact the lives of others in the Metro Richmond community, especially children.
National Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Founded in 1938 Jack and Jill is a nationwide organization with over 220 chapters in 35 states and the District of Columbia, representing over 30,000 family members. The core of the Jack and Jill of America philosophy is that every child – if given the proper guidance and opportunity – can be developed into a leader. + Read more about our National organization
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Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Since its inception in 1968, the Foundation has distributed millions of dollars to communities all across America. + Read more
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WHAT WE DO | OUR PROGRAMS
We have evolved into a strong organization as a result of strong programming. Our founder, Marion Stubbs Thomas had a simple idea of bringing together children in social and cultural relationships and this idea has catapulted our organization.The James River Virginia chapter continues to grow, and the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill continue to strengthen, always with our children as the focal point. Our 2020-2022 National theme is "The Power of a Dream, On Mission. On Purpose. For All Children."
The aims of the organization are:
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To aid mothers in learning more about their children by careful study
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To seek for all children the same advantages which we desire for our own
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To support all national legislation aimed at bettering the conditions of all
Our program director leads a well balanced and organized program of activities throughout the school calendar year. Our local initiatives are directly tied to our national goals including creating a medium of contact for children that will stimulate growth and development, and providing children constructive educational, cultural, civic, recreational, and social programs. Children are placed in age-appropriate groups and enjoy activities appropriate for their age and interests.
ARTISANS (Preschool) Ages 2- Kindergarten
SCRIBES (Lower Elementary) Grades 1-2
NOBLES (Upper Elementary) Grades 3-5
GOVERNORS (Middle School) Grades 6-8
PHARAOHS (Teens) Ages 13-17
Some of the fun, exciting and stimulating activities the children participate in include: theater outings; holiday and seasonal events; Sickle Cell, March of Dimes, feeding the homeless community service projects; volunteering at nursing homes and health fairs; farm trips to pick fresh fruit and vegetables, scientist programs; finance education programs; college tours; participate in HBCU college activities; amusement park outings, and so much more.
To learn more about our national organization click here:

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JRVA CHAPTER MEMBERS
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BECOME A MEMBER
By uniting individual member’s efforts, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. has built a strong, cohesive organization that positively impacts the lives of children, families and communities. Jack and Jill success is based on the depth of commitment, vision and confidence of its members.
We are a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Jack and Jill is divided into 233 local chapters within 7 geographical regions in the United States.
Membership can be obtained via legacy status or via invitation.
Membership via invitation. We appreciate your desire to join our organization. Prospective members must be sponsored by a current member in good standing of the chapter in which they are seeking membership. We encourage interested mothers to make contact with Jack and Jill members in their local communities to learn about specific membership guidelines and procedures. If you are unfamiliar with any current members of your local chapter you may choose to network with others in your community to gain contact with a chapter member. Please be aware that membership intake is at the sole discretion of each chapter. Obtaining a sponsor does not guarantee intake into the organization.
Legacy Membership. Legacy status is granted to each child (male or female) who graduates from a Jack and Jill Chapter and whose mother is a member in good standing at the time of the child’s graduation from the chapter. Once the child desires to enter Jack and Jill through their Legacy Status the legacy will be verified through the chapter by completing and submitting the legacy application.