Who We Are
Fill The Need Initiative
The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills 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 serves 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 improving the lives of women and children in our service area. Our current issue is children in need, and our focus is improving access to essential items and resources to improve the health and wellness of school aged children in need. We are in the process of piloting various strategies to create measurable impact on this focus. We Value
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, foster care, juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cyber-crimes, literacy and the environment, among others—for the express purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of our society. 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 League—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 education and literacy programs, children’s cultural development, school nutrition, vaccination, the Clean Water Act, and heightened awareness around domestic violence and alcohol abuse. |