Little Black Dress Initiative
Little Black Dress Initiative
Description
The Little Black Dress Initiative is a homelessness awareness campaign and fundraiser. During LBDI week, November 26 – 30, 2018, Junior League of Lansing members will wear one black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on someone’s access to resources, confidence and opportunities. Donations made will be attributed to an individual JLL member for tracking and recognition (please note their name in Comments or Donation Information fields).
This year, JLL has partnered with the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.
- More than 63,000 individuals experienced literal homelessness in Michigan in 2017. These included families, single parents, children, veterans, grandparents and unaccompanied youth.
- Seven is the average age for a child experiencing homelessness with their family in Michigan. In 2017, there were more than 15,000 children experiencing homelessness in Michigan.
- Seniors aged 55+ continue to see an increase in homelessness – 4% increase from 2015-2017, while the majority of demographics are seeing a decrease. Nearly 6,000 seniors experienced homelessness in 2017 with 75% of those having a disability.
In the last two League years, JLL has awarded more than $38,000 in Community Impact Grants to local non-profits. Some of these organizations include: Haven House, Refugee Development Center, Clinton-Gratiot Habitat for Humanity, Housing Services of Mid-Michigan, SIREN/Eaton Shelter and Child and Family Services. This year we hope to continue to raise funds to support these nonprofits that provide access to shelter in the Lansing area.