Elevate-to-Educate

Our 2019 Makeover Weekend will be AUGUST 9-11 at LITTLE CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and we need your help!

1) VOLUNTEER

Volunteer to help with indoor and outdoor painting, landscaping and light construction/outdoor projects. Volunteers can sign up as an individual or as an organization/group of 5 or more. To be a part of this inspiring and impactful weekend, sign up online at bitly.com/ElevateToEducate.

2) DONATE

If you aren’t able to volunteer but still want to contribute, please consider making a supplies donation to our makeover weekend through our Amazon Wishlist! To make a donation, please visit bit.ly/amazonwishlist2019.

3) SPONSOR

JLNVB is actively seeking sponsorships to ensure a successful makeover weekend. Sponsorships may consist of a cash contribution, in-kind gift, or a combination of both. For more information, contact Community Events Chair, Ashley Chamberlain at communityevents.jlnvb@gmail.com.

ABOUT ELEVATE TO EDUCATE

Elevate to Educate is a community initiative whose purpose is to improve the learning environment for elementary students in Hampton Roads. We believe that by elevating schools in need, we can create a lasting impact on students, staff, and surrounding communities. In order to make a large scale impact on childhood literacy, in August 2018, Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. (JLNVB) with the support of tHRive Young Professionals and the Urban Renewal Center, hosted a 3-day makeover of Jacox Elementary School in Norfolk, VA. The focus of this makeover was to provide students with a positive space to pursue their education, with a focus on childhood literacy. JLNVB also incorporated its signature issue of women’s health by designing a body-positive message on each of the bathroom stalls.

Under the leadership of our Community Events Committee, OVER 330 VOLUNTEERS:

PAINTED 35 WALL MURALS COVERING 1152 SQUARE FEET
PAINTED 2866 SQUARE FEET OF OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE
REDECORATED 28 BATHROOM STALL DOORS
CREATED A 270 SQUARE FOOT BUTTERFLY GARDEN WITH 100 NEW PLANTS
PLANTED 251 OTHER PLANTS AROUND THE CAMPUS FOR NEW LANDSCAPING
COLLECTED OVER 30 BAGS OF LITTER AND PRUNED 20 TREES
CONSTRUCTED 9 GARDEN BOXES, 4 PICNIC TABLES, AND 5 OUTDOOR EASELS

JLNVB is excited to announce that it will continue and expand upon this initiative, formerly known as Project Makeover Hampton Roads, in 2019 with the new name, Elevate to Educate! Each summer, one elementary school in South Hampton Roads will be adopted as our School of the Year and will receive a one-of-a-kind makeover with the help of volunteers from the Hampton Roads community. Following the school makeover, JLNVB will engage with school administration and staff to develop two years of meaningful programming and host special events focused on promoting JLNVB’s signature issues of childhood literacy and women’s health.

Each year, one elementary school in South Hampton Roads will be adopted as our Elevate to Educate school of the year. This involves two years of programming, beginning with a complete school makeover. Throughout the spring, JLNVB will work closely with school leadership to craft a makeover plan unique to the adopted school. This plan will be brought to life over just one weekend in late July-August. JLNVB, along with the help of over 250 volunteers across the Hampton Roads community, will elevate the school through landscaping, painting interactive and educational murals throughout school common spaces, and revitalizing the school playgrounds. Following the school makeover, JLNVB will engage with school administration and staff to develop meaningful programming and host special events focused on promoting JLNVB’s community initiatives of childhood literacy and (young) women’s health.

For 2019, we have adopted Little Creek Elementary School in Norfolk as our School of the Year and our first Elevate to Educate Makeover will take place August 9-11, 2019. For more information on Elevate to Educate and how you can get involved, please contact JLNVB’s Community Events chair, Ashley Chamberlain at communityevents.jlnvb@gmail.com.