Who We Are

Fill The Need Initiative
The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills (JLOSH) is focused on addressing the basic needs of low-income children, pre-K through 8th grade in our service area. Our community service work is dedicated to closing the gap on food insecurity, essential clothing needs, school supply gaps and hygiene needs of school-aged children living in poverty. We believe that when these basic needs are met with the necessary supplies and educational resources, that low-income children can focus their energy on succeeding in school.
 
Our Work in the Community 
JLOSH has been dedicated to supporting families and their children residing in the communities of East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Orange, Short Hills, South Orange, Springfield and West Orange. We have adopted an issue-based community impact model, in which a broad social problem is identified, and specific aspects of that problem are collectively agreed upon as targets for change. Strategies and tactics to effect change are selected based on their potential to produce measurable outcomes.

JLOSH is committed to being inclusive and representative of the diverse communities we serve.  We welcome and value Women of all races, identities, abilities, economic statuses and belief systems who align with our mission.  We believe a sense of belonging empowers people to serve and lead across differences effectively. 

Background
The Junior League, one of the oldest, largest and most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, has matured and evolved since it was founded by social activism pioneer Mary Harriman in 1901.

Vision
True to their legacy, today’s League members are at the forefront of tackling society’s thorniest issues—addressing and acting as advocates on an array of critical issues including human trafficking, Black maternal and infant health equity, menstrual product equity, among others—for the express purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of the Garden State.

Diversity & Inclusion
We are a Junior League committed to being inclusive and representative of the diverse communities we serve. We welcome and value women of all races, identities, abilities, economic status and belief systems who align with our mission.

We believe that a sense of belonging empowers people to effectively serve and lead across differences. Our members feel inspired to be the best versions of their authentic selves. We continuously develop our members’ greater cultural awareness and competency to better support one another and the communities we serve.

Commitment
Our commitment, has remained unwavering: to develop exceptionally qualified civic leaders who can identify a community’s most urgent and pressing needs and address them with meaningful and relevant programs and initiatives that not only improve lives, but change the way people think.

Results
The Junior Leagues  — the 150,000 women empowered to lead in 291 Leagues in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico — have amassed an archive of irrefutable results and an undisputed reputation as thoughtful and influential change agents for the public good. Our organization has been instrumental in championing maternal and infant health, education and literacy programs, children’s cultural development, school nutrition, vaccination, the Clean Water Act, and heightened awareness around domestic violence and alcohol abuse.