WHAT IS THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS INITIATIVE?

The Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) is a global initiative started by the Junior League of London to raise awareness of the impact of generational poverty.

The third annual Junior League of Springfield, MO LBDI is February 25 – March 1, 2019. During this week, JLS members will wear the same little black dress for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on a woman’s access to resources, her confidence, and her professional opportunities. By wearing a button that reads “Ask me About my Dress,” members will invite and welcome dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers to raise awareness about generational poverty.

HOW WILL YOUR DONATION HELP?

This initiative will help us advocate for poverty awareness and support our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In addition, JLS collaborates with many organizations and projects that help support those affected by generational poverty including:

• Community Summit: Focus on Poverty
• Ozarks Food Harvest
• Laura’s Home
• Isabel’s House, started as a Signature Project of JLS
• Rare Breed Youth Services
• Habitat for Humanity: Women Build
• Robberson Community School Collaboration

WHAT IS GENERATIONAL POVERTY?

Generational poverty occurs in families where at least two generations have been born into poverty. Growing up in poverty is one of the greatest threats to healthy child development. Poverty and financial stress can impede a child’s cognitive development and their ability to learn. The poverty rate in Springfield has steadily increased in recent years and now affects nearly 25 percent of Springfield residents – this is a higher rate than Chicago or Washington, D.C. JLS is committed to eradicating generational poverty in Greene County, and through efforts like LBDI, we as an organization are able to provide critical education on this issue and help raise money to effect change.

JLS members participating in our LBD initiative last year!