Junior League of Milwaukee selects Milwaukee Center for Independence as its 100th Anniversary Community Partner
Partnership will help meet community need to support babies born to drug-addicted mothers
MILWAUKEE, WI (March 25, 2014) – The Junior League of Milwaukee, a nonprofit organization of more than 600 women committed to promoting volunteerism and supporting the community, has selected the Milwaukee Center for Independence as its centennial community partner. This partnership will help support a new community facility that will treat babies born to drug-addicted mothers and/or suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and provide resources to assist their mothers.
A recent study done by the University of Michigan Health System (2012, April 3) reported that one drug-addicted baby is born each hour and the number of babies diagnosed with NAS has tripled between 2000 and 2009 across the U.S. Doctors from local hospitals have observed that the proliferation in the use of prescription pain pills among women of all races and classes resulted in large numbers of babies born with an addiction.
“As our 100th Anniversary nears, it was important to our members that we help fill an important void in our community,” said Kay Eilers, president, Junior League of Milwaukee. “The future community facility aligns well with the Junior League’s community focus areas of education, health, and nutrition of women and children in the greater Milwaukee area.”
Since the Junior League of Milwaukee began in October 1915, its members, solely or with partners, have created various programs or organizations that are integral to Milwaukee or were precursors to today’s important community organizations. A few of these organizations include: the Blood Center of Wisconsin, Curative Care Network, the Teen Transition program with Kid’s Matter, Inc., and The Parenting Network.
“With this commitment, the Junior League of Milwaukee is making a major investment in the future of our community. When babies are born with the odds stacked against them, early intervention and treatment are essential to their survival and their ability to succeed later in life,” said Tracey Sparrow, Ed.D, vice president of Children’s Programs. “We are grateful to the members of the Junior League for not only recognizing that too many of Milwaukee’s children are born with the burden of drug abuse, but taking steps to address this urgent issue.”
The Junior League of Milwaukee will support the new community facility through volunteerism and a financial commitment that will span up to five years.
About Junior League of Milwaukee
The Junior League of Milwaukee (JLM) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
About the Milwaukee Center for Independence
The Milwaukee Center for Independence is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing more than 50 programs and services to assist children and adults with special needs, and their families, to better live and work the community.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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