Little Black Dress Initiative

SUPPORT STABLE HOUSING = STABLE COMMUNITIES TODAY

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, during our November 2023 Little Black Dress Initiative our advocates and promoters raised over $35,000.

Those funds will be distributed as Community Assistance Grants of up to $5,000 to organizations that are actively working to end homelessness and housing insecurity across our region. More information on Community Assistance Grant Awardees will be available here in early 2024.

We are proud of the tangible impact these grants have made in the lives of our neighbors since 2021. Some of our past Community Assistance Grant awardees are highlighted here.

For questions, please email us at littleblackdress@jlw.org.

THE HISTORY OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS INITIATIVE 

LBDI is a social media-driven awareness and fundraising campaign started by the Junior League of London to raise awareness about poverty and its effects on women’s lives. 

Since its launch in London in 2014, more than 80 Junior Leagues have participated in LBDI, raising tens of thousands of dollars and awareness about their particular community work focus, i.e., domestic violence, human trafficking, literacy, food insecurity. 

LBDI advocates wear the same black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Each advocate normally wears a button that says “ask me about my dress”, inviting dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers about this initiative’s message. Advocates also engage on social media, sharing statistics, information, and their experiences throughout the period. Messaging includes a soft ask for donations to support the cause.