GFWC Community Service Programs and Special Projects

Our Community Service Programs and Special Projects are structured to enable clubs to harness the vast resources of our membership to address the needs of their individual communities.

To view, print and/or download Community Service Programs and Special Project guides, please log in the GFWC Portal, My Digital type Club Manual in keyword search box and click search. Then select the file(s) that you wish to view, print or download.

GFWC Community Service Programs and Special Programs focus on major issues that affect our communities daily — supporting women’s health, preserving natural resources, promoting literacy and equality, citizen advocacy, and encouraging volunteer service — and fall into the following areas of focus:

GFWC Signature Program: Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention The goal of the GFWC Signature Program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic and sexual violence abuse in communities across the nation. GFWC creates and leads education, public awareness, and service projects for club members and local citizens at the community level; collaborates with national domestic violence networks and organizations; supports existing activities and established programs; advocates for victims and survivors; and provides educational opportunities to survivors. Juniors Special Program: Advocates for Children The GFWC Juniors Special Program: Advocates for Children works to make a difference in the life of a child by being an advocate, a voice for children, and to teach and encourage parents, caregivers, and others in the community to advocate for children at the grassroots level.  Children depend on the advocacy of others, especially their parents and caregivers, to protect and promote their interests. GFWC advocates for children by working to: Ensure that they are protected from harmful situations. Encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles. Impact policy to improve children’s lives. Arts & Culture CSP The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program promotes and supports art and cultural programs in communities nationwide, and works to expand understanding on every level, from local and regional to national and international. Our goal is to create projects that include crafts, dance, drama, food, music, and other manifestations of art and culture that develop skills, awareness, and appreciation. It is designed to inspire and ignite a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place. Civic Engagement & Outreach CSP The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds us that each of us is part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community—locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. This CSP features programming focused on citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness; those in need, food insecure, and unhoused; and our military personnel and veterans. Collectively GFWC addresses issues of public concern.

Education & Libraries CSP Since its inception, GFWC has advocated passionately for the advancement of women and children through education. Education is the one thing that has the potential to level the playing field for all Americans. Every community in every state and region of the country is impacted. According to the American Library Association, GFWC is credited with founding approximately 474 free public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries. Supporting local libraries continues to be one of GFWC’s priorities today. GFWC promotes education for both children and adults. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools and other educational institutions and opportunities, and promote libraries, literacy, and reading good books. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world. Environment CSP GFWC recognizes the importance of preserving our world environment for the generations to come. In fact, it is a program area near and dear to the GFWC ethos in that when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Executive Order creating the unified National Park System in June 1933, GFWC members played an integral role on the frontlines in their communities advocating for the protection and preservation of lands for public use and recreation. One hundred years later, GFWC continues to champion environmental issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. GFWC’s Environment Community Service Program specifically focuses on the beautification, cleanup, preservation, and enrichment of the natural resources and landscapes in communities. Health & Wellness CSP One of the core tenets of living the American Dream is the “pursuit of happiness.” As people endeavor to achieve happiness, one’s personal health and wellness are paramount. The GFWC Health and Wellness Community Service Program promotes nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care: Nutrition is a key element in the quest for good health. Disease awareness and prevention involves understanding the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent diseases, including social determinants and health inequity. Physical and emotional care encompass behaviors to manage a healthy body, mind, and spirit throughout life.