About Jack and Jill of America, Inc. 

History of the Sun Valley Chapter

The history of the Sun Valley Provisional Chapter began swiftly! A decision was made by the Far West  Region to see if there would be enough sustained interest to begin a new chapter when the established  Phoenix Chapter could no longer accommodate the interest of mothers from across the valley. And so  our story begins. 
An interest meeting via conference call was hosted by Past National Officer and Far West Regional Growing Strategically Task Force Chair Kimberley Goode of the Contra Costa, California Chapter in July  2019. Though eligible for associate status, PNO Goode took the challenge of assisting this new interest  group as her final contribution as a Jack and Jill mother member. Since she too had been a part of a  provisional group, PNO Goode often shared that she was leaving as she had begun.  
During the interest meeting, an overview of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and the provisional  process was shared. Time was short and the interest group had to move quickly to meet the impending  deadline to request provisional status. Under the guidance and leadership of Organizer Chilesa J. Ready,  who later became the group’s first president, documents were gathered from mothers all over the  valley. Within the span of one week, the necessary information was collected from 29 mothers and the  request for provisional group status timely filed.  
With the support of the Phoenix Chapter and the Far West Regional Leadership Team, the National  Executive Board of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated approved the request on October 2, 2019, and  the Phoenix Valley Provisional Group was born. Over the coming months, the mothers selected leaders,  created children’s programming and began training for the work at hand. The chartering officers were  Chilesa J. Ready, President; Tina Swanson, Vice President; Jenoia Ivy, Program Director; Erica L.  Richmond, Recording Secretary; Jessica Delafield, Corresponding Secretary; Kimberly Roberson, Treasurer; Janet Melvin, Financial Secretary; Miranda Baugh, Editor/Historian; Erica Tatum-Sheade,  Chaplain; Tanya L. Smith, Parliamentarian; and Tamika Sanders, Foundation Chair. 
They engaged in a robust national training schedule led by National Vice President Tanya Hand and Past  National President Alice Leigh Peoples. In addition, regional trainings were held by PNO Goode and a  Regional Tea/Meet & Greet hosted by Regional Director Diane Little. 
The Phoenix Valley Provisional Group would face many challenges as mothers of varying backgrounds  sought to come together to create a serving and kind community. However, the sponsoring Phoenix  Chapter was never far from their side. With the mentorship and support of Phoenix Chapter President  Dawn Smith and Phoenix Chapter 2nd Vice President and Liaison Pamela Starks, the young group forged  forward. They participated in the city’s annual MLK March, visited senior centers, made packages for  the homeless, packed meals at a local food bank and engaged in STEM targeted activities. The fathers  organized the group’s first family gathering, and the teens joined their sponsor chapter in viewing the  Harriet Movie.  
In March of 2020, the world was stunned by a global pandemic. Businesses closed, jobs were lost, public  venues shut down, and stay at home orders were issued. Grocery stores rationed basic essentials,  schools sent children home and mask mandates were enforced. Not to be deterred or discouraged by  the prohibition against in-person gathering, the group met virtually via zoom for its business meetings  and the mothers created engaging virtual programming for the children. A virtual calendar was created  including weekly prayer calls, yoga and informationals on schooling from home to provide mother  support. In addition, President Chilesa facilitated the first virtual executive board retreat which included 
greetings from National Program Director Lisa Grant Dawson, a mini facial demonstration and strategic  planning around the theme Moving Forward As One: Service, Compassion, Sisterhood. 
During the same period, America entered a season of heightened awareness regarding social inequality  incited by the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others who were unjustly  killed. Massive protest marches and rallies occurred around the country led by individuals uniting under  the banner of Black Lives Matter. It created a unique opportunity for the group to engage in civic  activities and become a part of history in the making. During the summer months, mothers and their  children took to the streets to participate in rallies for the cause of justice.  
On August 23, 2020 at the 44th National Convention, delegates from 247 chapters rendered an  affirmative vote granting the mothers of the Phoenix Valley Provisional Group the new status - Sun  Valley Provisional Chapter. To commemorate this approval, the mothers had their first virtual Mothers  Retreat Weekend kicked off with a Comedy Nite hosted by the Fathers Auxiliary and followed by a fun  day of painting, yoga and self-care sessions. The Provisional Chapter was honored to receive special  greetings and congratulations from National Vice President Claudia Curtis, National Editor Florence  Lankford and Past National Officer Kimberley Goode.  
Today, October 23, 2020, 20 mothers officially charter the Sun Valley Chapter, dedicated to impacting the lives of their children, their community and their world.