The money raised by the sale of Blue Denim cookbook furthers the purpose and projects of the Junior League of Odessa, Inc. Our projects, which focus on “Families at Risk”, are the McKinney Spray Park, Medical Center Dental Clinic, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Spirit of Women, Kids in the Kitchen..


   The Junior League of Odessa and the City’s Parks and Recreation Department have teamed up to bring art to McKinney Park. The brand new park offers loads of entertainment style water attractions for the enjoyment of interstate travelers and local families.

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Medical Center Hospital has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Southwest, Children's Miracle Network and the Junior League of Odessa, Inc. to bring the state-of-the-art Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program to our area. A medical clinic on wheels, the Care Mobile will bring medical care and health information directly into local neighborhoods with unmet healthcare needs for ECISD students, siblings and their minor children up to the age of 21.  It is expected that the Care Mobile will have an impact on the health of the community by providing education and health screenings at community events including health fairs, school programs and other local events.

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Officials said Medical Center Hospital's new Family Health Dental Clinic will fill both cavities and the need for dental services for low-income people in Odessa. Fees for dental services will be on a sliding scale, depending on the patient's income -- the idea is to enable lower- income families to seek proper dental care for their families.

Dr. Robert Stanaland, a Rankin native who recently graduated from the University of Texas dental school in San Antonio, will serve in the three-seat facility.

"We're open to provide affordable service for children and adults," Dorothy Reyes, Family Health Center director, said.

Webster noted that funding for the $500,000 facility came from three places. In March, hospital board approved a resolution to accept $219,250 in state grant funds. The district also allotted another $200,000 to the facility. Finally, the Junior League of Odessa donated $25,000 to decorate the clinic.

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The goal of the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. and its member Leagues, is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.

Program Elements to Date
The initiative, which began in 2006, engages kids in the preparation of healthy meals and educates them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. Junior Leagues in more than 255 locations provide lessons and demonstrations related to preparation of healthy meals and snacks in partnership with local community organizations, chefs and nutritionists. The Association of Junior Leagues International provides guidelines and materials to support the success of these educational and motivational activities and supports the program with a website, www.kidsinthekitchen.org. The website includes bilingual recipes, tips on nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles as well as an interactive “Kids' Corner” with an online nutrition game provided by Kids in the Kitchen international sponsor, Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network also provides support for the program®s local activities as well as Public Service Announcements to increase traffic to the website.



   Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Odessa, a family was selected to purchase and help build a house with the Junior League providing the funding and members helping to build the house. Ground breaking for the new home was held on October 3, 2002 and completion is projected for Spring, 2003.