Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2024

COAST NOTE
Nurturing the Future
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of Jack and Jill Celebrates 10 Year Charter Anniversary
story by Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
photos courtesy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter (MGCC) of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was chartered in 2014 and is part of the Southeastern Region, which includes 52 chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is an organization founded in 1938 to stimulate children’s growth and development through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health, and social programs inspired by mothers. Across 262 chapters organized in seven regions across the United States, the organization consists of more than 50,000 family members, including mothers, fathers, and children ages two through 19.
This month, the MGCC celebrates its 10 year charter anniversary. It became the second chapter in Mississippi under the guidance of the first president, Stephanie Barnes Taylor. Originally a group of 17 mothers, the chapter has grown to 28 mothers and three associate mothers and their families.
The chapter prides itself on community service and outstanding programming for children. This includes the annual “Feed the Hungry” Thanksgiving service at Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. They also participate in Singing River’s Sunset on Cancer Run and blood drives during
20 | September 2024
Sickle Cell Awareness Month with the American Red Cross. Over the decade, the chapter has produced phenomenal
programming like “I’ll Fly Away,” in which children and parents received an in-air flying lesson from the New Orleans Black Pilot Association. Another is “An Equestrian Adventure,” which promoted detailed instructions on properly managing and caring for horses.
In 2019, the chapter hosted the regional Alabama/Mississippi Children’s Super Cluster, welcoming chapters from all over the Southeastern region to a day of STEAM in collaboration with Chevron Refinery, Bienville Orthopedic Specialists, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Under the tenure of current president Mom Kutina Carter, the chapter kicked off the programming year with a June girls trip to St. Croix. She remarks, “As we approach our 10th anniversary, we remember our mission and purpose while building our sisterhood among mothers. We are passionate about all kids and helping to nurture and build future generations of leaders, medical professionals, or even presidents.”
Keep up with the chapter on Facebook @MgccJJ. www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living