Our Community Service Programs

Art and Culture

Debbie Sargent, Chairman

The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support art and cultural programs in their clubs and communities, and to expand understanding on every level, from local and regional to national and international. Our goal is to create projects that include crafts, dance, drama, food, music, and other manifestations of art and culture that develop skills, awareness, and appreciation. It is designed to inspire clubwomen and ignite within them a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place.

Civic Engagement and Outreach

Barbara Cooper, Chairman

The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community—locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. This Community Service Program highlights and encourages citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness; the needy, hungry, and homeless; and our military personnel and veterans.

Education and Libraries

Katherine Regan, Chairman

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities. These projects promote libraries, literacy, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. 

Environment

Linda Chuckman, Chairman

The GFWC Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world’s resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature.Environmental degradation is cumulative and many scientists warn that we are at a tipping point. There is no time like the present to act.

Health and Wellness

Rosalie Matt, Chairman

The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our well-being, we must address three key components: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This Community Service Program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas.

State President’s Project

Marian Gundling, Chairman

Love, Respect, and Kindness for All is the GFWC Florida President’s Project for 2020-2022. The goal is for all of the clubs in Florida to reach out to their local communities and support any and all special needs that are occurring.

The words “special needs” extend far beyond GFWC Florida’s usual definition, especially during this Administration and the pandemic. Florida has special needs under every Community Service Program area and most Advancement Plan areas. Projects that GFWC Florida clubs have already supported in their communities range from helping people with Alzheimer’s and autism to raising awareness about domestic violence, working to prevent human trafficking, and supporting GFWC Affiliate Organizations St. Jude and Operation Smile. Florida clubwomen are also actively supporting causes concerning libraries, scholarships, fostering/sheltering animals, a cleaner environment, and veterans (both men and women).

In December 2020, a Day of Service President’s Project was planned by the President’s Project Chairmen and team along with the Day of Service Chairman. With representatives in all of Florida’s 14 Districts, clubs were asked to sponsor at least one project in their communities. More than 500 projects were organized across the entire state during the month of December, ranging across a wide spectrum. This was accomplished with the pandemic worsening, so masks were used and social distancing guidelines were followed. The GFWC Florida website shows a wide array of photos featuring the clubs and their projects. Woman’s clubs, Junior clubs, and Juniorette clubs enthusiastically participated. The President’s Project Chairman developed an interactive map with a blue umbrella indicating each club that sponsored a project. The entire state of Florida was covered in little blue umbrellas representing Love, Respect, and Kindness for All!

GFWC SIGNATURE PROJECT

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

The goal of the GFWC Signature Program Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic abuse and violence against women in communities across the nation by working with national domestic violence networks, supporting existing activities, working with various established programs and initiating educational opportunities for club members and local citizens. 

Program areas of focus:Intimate Partner AbuseChild AbuseTeen DatingCampus Sexual AssaultElder AbuseViolence Against Native American WomenMilitary Sexual AssaultHuman Trafficking.