Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon.
Hi Sharon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
San Antonio Junior Forum (SAJF) is a volunteer women’s organization that provides the San Antonio area with a variety of civic, educational, and philanthropic community services. We provide service to non-profit charitable organizations, scholarships to students seeking higher education, and grants to non-profit organizations. These activities enhance the lives of both our members and the community. This year we will be awarding $75,000 in grants and $25,000 in scholarships. We are always looking for like-minded women who have a desire to give back and want to make a difference.
SAJF is one of seven Junior Forum Incorporated chapters in Texas. The San Antonio chapter was founded on January 20, 1961, with eleven original members. From this modest beginning, the organization grew in strength, numbers, and influence, with membership of nearly 200 women at one time, and financial contributions to our city of well over $1.7 million in grants and $400,000 in scholarships.
In 1986/1987 SAJF published Celebrate San Antonio, a cookbook created by the members. Over the next several years, with multiple printings, over 100,000 copies were sold. In 2000 SAJF published another cookbook, Clean Your Plate: Dishes for Every Occasion. All profits from these two cookbooks were given back to the community.
In 1993, SAJF purchased the building at 12475 Starcrest Drive in San Antonio. The purpose of the “Celebration Square” purchase was to use the structure for business meetings, cookbook office, and another avenue for fundraising by leasing out the extension for special events such as wedding/anniversary receptions and graduation parties. In 2001, the building was sold. Proceeds from the sale of Celebration Square were used to support our scholarships and grants programs.
Over the years, SAJF has been honored as one of the city’s top volunteer organizations. This year we are proud to celebrate 65 years of service to the San Antonio Community. However proud the heritage, SAJF realizes the importance of progress. Our members continually study the needs of our community and look for new opportunities to serve. While we are a much smaller organization today, we are still pursuing our mission of helping the less fortunate in the San Antonio area. SAJF looks to the future in great anticipation as we continue to contribute both financially and personally, in service to our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with any organization, SAJF has had its ups and downs over the years. Our biggest challenge right now is growing our membership, finding those women in our city who are looking for a way to get involved and give back. Our membership has declined significantly since the 1980’s and ’90’s. This is a common problem for non-profits; however, it is our belief there are many women out there who would love to have the opportunity to participate in our service, scholarship and grant activities if they were aware of our organization.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I joined SAJF in 2013, and getting involved with this organization has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I have learned so much about the needs of our city. Meeting our scholarship applicants gives me hope for our future, because these kids are so smart and motivated to get their education and get started with their careers.
Serving on the grants committee and delivering grant checks to other non-profits is truly an eye-opening experience. I had no idea about the needs of our city until I got involved with this.
Helping with service projects is so rewarding – not only to the recipient, but to those of us who perform the service.
And last but not least, I have made some wonderful friends along the way, women I would never have met if not for SAJF.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sajuniorforum.org
- Facebook: San Antonio Junior Forum
- Other: Email: [email protected]
