About LBDI
Founded in 2014 by the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress initiative (LBDI) is a week-long awareness and fundraising campaign that harnesses the power of social media to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities, and access to resources.
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Advocates wear a black outfit for five consecutive days in an effort to spark conversations and awareness about the Junior League’s mission and impact areas.
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Throughout the week League members post social media content to advocate and raise awareness for the numerous programs the Junior League of Albany, GA, Inc. partners with to spark conversations around some of Albany's most critical issues, including human trafficking and domestic violence awareness and prevention, health and wellness, education, food insecurity, and adult and adolescent literacy.
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Poverty in Albany, GA
According to the U.S. Census findings in 2022, 29.6% of Albany residents were in poverty, with a median income of $43,724 and per-capita income of $23,824, which is 16.9% higher than the state poverty rate and 18.5% higher than the national poverty rate, 38% lower than the state median income, and 37.1% lower than the state per-capita income.
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Poverty in our area has caused lagging income and homeownership rates, higher rates of individuals who do not have medical insurance and less who have high school diplomas and college degrees, which means a lower chance of securing a high-paying, secure job with benefits for the individual and their family.
What Your Donation Will Support
All LBDI proceeds will be used to further the mission of JLA. All donations are tax-deductible.
Funds raised will be given to the following: Open Arms, Inc. and Phoebe's Children's Miracle Network.
Open Arms, Inc.
Open Arms is a youth group home that provides housing, resources, and
programs to youth in our area experiencing homelessness, abuse, neglect, pregnancy, and
other crises and fosters an environment of care, healing, and growth for everyone they
serve.
Their programs include:
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-The Bridge Children’s Shelter - accommodates abused children from birth to 18
years old at a secure, confidential location
- Transitional Living Program for older homeless youth - serves youth ages 16 to 22 by providing long-term residential services as they transition into jobs, school, and other opportunities where they can flourish and live life off the streets
- The Basic Center Program - meets the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under 18 years old by providing short term shelter and resources
- The Street Outreach Program - works with homeless, runaway, and street youth to find them stable housing and services, working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse
- The Maternity Group Home for Pregnant and Parenting Youth - supports homeless pregnant women and/or youth parents and their dependent children
- The Emergency Shelter Program - offers up to 30 days of hotel stays for families and youth that do not qualify for Open Arms’ other programs.
Phoebe Children’s Miracle Network
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is one of Georgia's six state-designated Perinatal Centers and the only hospital in the region devoted to sick newborns. In partnership with Children’s Miracle Network through
Phoebe’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), they are able to come alongside families experiencing significant medical issues with their infant(s).
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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was founded more than 40 years ago with the vision to Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future. They’ve raised over $9 billion for 170 children’s hospitals by empowering and engaging with local communities and businesses.
All donations benefit local member hospitals to fund what’s needed most, like critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, innovative research, vital pediatric medical
equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays, and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these
health services.