The Junior League of Owensboro is preparing for its 5th annual Little Black Dress Initiative on October 23-27. The group is raising awareness about hygiene poverty in Daviess County and raising funds to support their signature project “Laundry Day,” as well as other efforts.
Junior League is also hosting an expert panel on hygiene poverty on October 17 at the Girls Inc. Rolling Heights Campus (2130 East 19th Street). The event is free and open to the public.
The panel includes six local experts: Candi Kamuf of the Green River District Health Department, Brandon Harley of Audubon Area Community Services, Haley Huskisson of Crossroads, Vikki Embry of United Way, Tish Correa-Osborne of Girls, Inc., and Kristie Randolph of the Chloe Randolph Organization.
Maria Clark, JLO executive vice president/president-elect, said the panel “is an excellent opportunity to learn about an area of concern that does not receive as much public attention” as some other issues.
During the initiative, Junior League members and community participants will wear one black dress or outfit for 5 consecutive days to illustrate the effects limited resources can have on quality of life.
“The week will culminate with a Junior League Free Laundry Day on October 28, at Discount Laundry on Scherm Road and Jo’s In and Out Coin Laundry on 4th Street. Funds raised from Little Black Dress will help offer hygiene assistance and develop programs to help alleviate hygiene poverty, as well as continue to offer training and volunteer opportunities for JLO members,” Clark said.
The Junior League holds four Laundry Days each year. In partnership with local laundromats, the
JLO provides residents with the funds and supplies to clean their items, as well as healthy
snacks and water, plus age-appropriate children’s activities to keep kids entertained while they are
waiting for their caregivers to complete their laundry.
For more information about the Community Hygiene Panel, see the event on the Junior League of Owensboro Facebook page. For more information about the Little Black Dress Initiative, visit the
campaign website at jlowensborolbdi.causevox.com.
