JPNA was established to promote neighborhood socialization and philanthropic endeavors. The initial organizers of JPNA wanted to ensure that a large part of the yearly budget go towards projects which enriched the neighborhood including helping neighbors in need. The Lottie Maynard fund was created to honor a 50 year resident of Jefferson Park who came to the neighborhood with the baby boomer families of the 1940’s and remained until her death in 2003.
Lottie and her husband, Charlie raised their family here always supporting the neighborhood schools- Harris Street, Park lane Elementary and Russell High School as active members of the PTA organizations of each school, and as dedicated members of Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. Lottie never met a stranger and worked diligently to promote the neighborhood to everyone she encountered. A favorite story of the organization’s first president tells about his first encounter with Lottie. He and his partner were riding through the neighborhood looking for a home to purchase. When they stopped at a red light, they heard a gentle tap on their window. Being very cautious and suspicious because they lived in a high crime neighborhood and were not accustomed to friendly neighbors, they cautiously opened the window to speak with Lottie. She introduced herself and began to tell them all about the wonderful qualities of the neighborhood and reasons why they needed to purchase a home. It was this brief encounter that sold them on purchasing their home.
Lottie’s open arms, open mind and open heart embraced every aspect of the neighborhood as it changed ethnically and culturally over the years. From the homogeneous families of the 50’s and 60’s to the diverse make-up of the past 20 years, everyone had a place in Lottie’s life.
Today, The Lottie Maynard fund continues this long standing tradition of helping others and exemplifies the true meaning of community.