What is Jack and Jill of America?
Jack and Jill of America, Inc., is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 – 19, dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.
The late Marion Stubbs Thomas founded Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, on January 24, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twenty mothers came together to discuss creating an organization to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 2 and 19. In 1946, 10 chapters were involved in the national restructuring process. The constitution and bylaws were drawn up, and the organization was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.
Today, Jack and Jill boasts 262 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members.
Each chapter plans annual programming activities guided under our five point programmatic thrust:
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Cultural Awareness
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Educational Development
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Social/Recreational
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Health
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Civic
"We are determined to make sure that our children have the best education, the best opportunities, and the best experiences. We want them to become leaders who can make a difference in the world." - Marion Stubbs Thomas
Our Mission
The mission of Jack and Jill of America is to "provide children with the tools and experiences to become dynamic, contributing members of society." The organization seeks to:
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Develop future leaders by providing opportunities for academic, cultural, and social growth.
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Strengthen families through shared experiences, including community service and social activities.
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Promote cultural awareness and pride among African American children.
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Instill social responsibility through service-oriented projects and initiatives.
On Mission. On Purpose.
The philosophy we embrace is one of holistic
enrichment of our youth and, by extension, our communities.
