Johnson County Young Matrons: A Dedication to Volunteerism

Founded in 1961, Johnson County Young Matrons, or JCYM, is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization that serves, supports and promotes philanthropies in the community. JCYM has been instrumental in establishing numerous programs for various charities such as the Story Hour for the Johnson County Library, the Kansas City Zoo Docent Program and educational tours for the Shawnee Indian Mission. In 1972, JCYM established an emergency shelter, Temporary Lodging for Children/TLC for Children and Families, Inc./KidsTLC, Inc., to help young victims of abuse, neglect and family disruption. JCYM has also supported the American Cancer Society for over 35 years and has worked with the Johnson County Christmas Bureau for over 30 years.  

Since its founding, JCYM has provided over $3,000,000 to over 210 different charities. With about 250 members, JCYM provides over 20,000 volunteer hours annually. Currently, JCYM is supporting Evergreen Living Innovations, Inc.; Growing Futures Early Education Center, Inc.; Johnson County Christmas Bureau; KidsTLC, Inc.; Safehome, Inc.; and Shawnee Indian Mission Foundation.  

JCYM supports the community financially through annual membership dues, the JCYM Charitable Gift Fund, the JCYM Scholarship Fund, Ways & Means donations and fundraising projects. JCYM donates 100 percent of its proceeds from its fundraising events to the philanthropies it supports.  

During the 2021-2022 club year, JCYM distributed over $90,000 to the six philanthropies it currently supports. Some of those funds were used to refinish kitchen cabinets at Evergreen Living Innovations; for shed repairs at Shawnee Indian Mission; to help fund four teaching positions at Growing Futures; to purchase coats, groceries and personal items for clients of Johnson County Christmas Bureau; for therapeutic recreation and wellness programs at KidsTLC; and to help with a legal advocacy program at Safehome. 

Fundraising for JCYM has taken many forms over the years. With the exception of 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic, JCYM has held a fall Holiday Boutique and Home for the Holidays homes tour since the 1990s. This year the Holiday Boutique will be held at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center at 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, on November 10 and 11 and the “Home for the Holidays” homes tour will be at Meadowbrook Park, 91st & Nall, Overland Park, on November 11, 2022.

For more information about JCYM or to purchase tickets, please visit jcym.net.

Making a Difference
JCYM member activities during the 2021-2022 included:
• Making fleece throws for Johnson County Christmas Bureau
• Baking goods for a bake sale at Shawnee Indian Mission
• Making weighted blankets for KidsTLC
• Helping with bingo games every week at Evergreen Living Innovations
• Conducting a Thanksgiving collection for Safehome
• Planning and participating in activity nights at KidsTLC
• Preparing meals for Safehome
• Planning staff wellness programs for Growing Futures, Evergreen Living Innovations and Safehome
• Conducting educational tours of the Shawnee Indian Mission for local school children
• Organizing a pumpkin patch for Growing Futures
• Helping staff the Johnson County Christmas Bureau holiday shop
• Organizing and helping with numerous collections and activities including a book fair, holiday collection, coat collection and spring bazaar.