BJHS Making a ChangeChildren’s First Community Service

Project

Empower. Educate. Encourage.

BJHSFCCLA

“Purses for

Change”

Community Service Project for BJHS FCCLA

1. Bob Jones High School FCCLA members chose the Purses for Change project to help homeless teenagers in the Madison and Huntsville City area.

2. They selected this project because it was beneficial to the younger generation in the homeless community.

3. Their major goal was to fill at least 40 bags full of necessities for someone who is homeless. We thought this was a generous amount of bags to fill and give away to the Purses for Change organization.

4. A representative from Purses for Change, Jamie Newell, came to BJHS to speak to all of the FACS classes and FCCLA members about the program and how they can help.

Jamie Newell speaking to Bob Jones Students about the Purses for Change Project (Note: Sherry Shamwell, not pictured, also provided information for us on Purses for Change via email)

What does PFC do?

PFC’s vision is to empower, educate, and encourage girls and women to successfully navigate change.

They pass out educational materials or speak to groups.

They provide a gift to encourage someone who is making a positive change.

They encourage others to keep working toward positive changes.

Why a purse?

We use the purse or tote as a vehicle.In other words, the purse itself has NO power

to help someone change.But, hopefully, the recipient who receives one

of our totes or purses will know someone, somewhere does care about them.

Hopefully the contents of the purse or tote will help them navigate their change better.

What did the students do?

1. FCCLA members and Family & Consumer Sciences students brought in non-perishable food items and travel size toiletries to put in sturdy canvas bags.

2. The Purses for Change organization provided us with 40 canvas tote bags.

3. Each class spent time designing and decorating the bags. 4. It took us a month to complete the entire project. We had to

make each bag, collect all supplies, fill each bag, and distribute the bags to Purses for Change.

5. A representative from “the Studio/ Tennessee Valley Family Services”, Scott Peterson, came to the school to pick up all of the bags. He gave a very motivating and moving speech to the students about the importance of what they are doing AND exactly how each item they donated can help a homeless teenager in need.

What did the homeless teenagers receive?

1. The homeless teenagers in the community received food and toiletries items, this really helped the teenagers in the homeless community.

2. Items donated included the following: travel size toiletry items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, etc), non-perishable food items (granola bars, canned meat, juice boxes, etc), and a sturdy canvas bag for storage.

The FCCLA club t-shirt was the inspiration for the tote bag designs

Bob Jones Students painting the survival totes

Bob Jones Students painting the survival totes

Bob Jones Students painting the survival totes

Bob Jones Students painting the survival totes

Donated Items from BJHS Students

Donated Items from BJHS Students

Sorting Items from BJHS Students

Packing Survival Totes!

Packing Survival Totes!

Packing Survival Totes!

Packing Survival Totes!

Survival Totes created by BJHS FCCLA Students

BJHS FCCLA students presenting the survival totes to Mr. Peterson

Email from Mr. Peterson after his visit:

“It was a great pleasure meeting you and your students today. My heart was filled with pride at seeing civic minded youth that care so much to make such to create such a wonderful gift to their community. I look forward to speaking with you again and thank you for your gracious students. Keep up the great work and let me know if I can ever be of service.

Thank You,

Scott H. Peterson The Studio Director Tennessee Family Services Inc.”

Quote from Tyler Nesselrotte, Senior & President of BJHS FCCLA:

“I thought the project was on of the best we have ever done in FCCLA. It brought all of our members together and our Family and Consumer Sciences classes were also involved in the process. We picked this project because it was not only beneficial to our community, but also because it is providing for underprivileged people who are in need of things that we can provide for them.”

Quote from Kristy Wheeler, FACS Teacher and BJHS FCCLA sponsor:

“This community service project is different from any project we have ever done. The students really stepped up and made this project a HUGE success. I am so proud of our students in their willingness to help others! As we have heard often, but is so appropriate for this activity – the BJHS FCCLA students offered a HAND UP and not just a HAND OUT. They we able to see what an impact their small gesture could mean to someone who is down on their luck or in an unfortunate situation. Their donations and participation could truly make a difference in the life of a less fortunate teenager.”

What is FCCLA?

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences education in public and private school through grade 12. Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Today over 200,000 members in nearly 6,500 chapters are active in a network of associations in 50 states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Chapter projects focus on a variety of youth concerns, including teen pregnancy, parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, environment, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career exploration. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life -- planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication -- necessary in the home and workplace.

What is the overall mission of FCCLA?

To promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

Bob Jones High School’s FCCLA chapter is active at the local, state, and national level. Many Bob Jones students participate in community service projects and competitions that have taken club members to many destinations outside the Madison area. Students have competed in Florida, Tennessee, California, Illinois and many other places.

FCCLA Sponsors/FACS Teachers

Kristy WheelerGermaine McNeilJulie Bone