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Greenwich’s Junior League, Nearing 60, Is Serious Business

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Home of the Junior League of Greenwich. (photo courtesy of Junior League of Greenwich)
Home of the Junior League of Greenwich. (photo courtesy of Junior League of Greenwich)

By Michelle Moskowitz
Sentinel Correspondent

Since 1959, the Junior League of Greenwich (JLG), a not-for-profit organization headquartered at 231 E. Putnam Ave., has had a significant impact on Greenwich residents and continues to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change throughout the community.

The JLG is an organization comprised of women committed to volunteerism and improving the lives of others through action and leadership.

But perhaps what sustains the group’s continued legacy and deeply rooted impact is that the JLG is equally committed to the betterment of all its members by providing them with extensive training and development programs that enable them to become effective volunteers, learn and hone valuable skills, and develop their leadership potential.

Today there are 700 sustaining members and about 215 active JLG members. Hundreds of influential projects of theirs, both past and present, have touched the lives of Greenwich residents of all ages and backgrounds.

The Junior League was founded in 1901 by Mary Harriman, a New York City debutante.

She and 80 other young women banded together to work on improving the living conditions of immigrants on the Lower East side of Manhattan.

Soon afterwards they decided to shift their focus to issues that had an impact on the greater community, and began to implement programs that addressed social, health and educational issues.

Now embarking on its 60th year in Greenwich, the JLG continues to work tirelessly, sometimes without recognition.

The organization has forged long-standing relationships with community partners such as Kids In Crisis, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA/YWCA, Abilis, and Family Centers.

Over the years, their vast project base has addressed a wide spectrum of needs throughout the community including: Alcohol Education Program, Greenwich Safety Town, Night Owls, Kids in the Kitchen, Senior Task Force, Domestic Abuse Services at the YWCA, Youth Shelter, Playground Pals, Greenwich Coalition on Diversity, Environmental Education and much more.

The lifespan of any given project can be anywhere from two to ten years.

JuniorLeague2-1-12One of the JLG’s current projects is the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group, the only peer-to-peer style support and resource group in Fairfield County designed specifically for women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.

Another active project is Positively More, a community self-esteem project designed for 6th grade girls.

This program offers workshops led by professionals such as Valuing Yourself, The Value of Friendships, Practice Using Your Moral Compass and Your Digital Reputation.

One of the JLG’s larger ongoing projects is The Greenwich Pool & Byram Park, a public-private partnership with the town of Greenwich to build a new community pool complex with the goal of revitalizing Byram Park.

The new outdoor pool, scheduled to open in 2018, will inspire lifelong fitness and will be accessible to all Greenwich residents.

As the start of the new year brings about new beginnings, the JLG is currently seeking new members.

All women over the age of 21 who wish to learn more about the JLG and its volunteer programs may attend the open house on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the JLG headquarters.

A light dinner will be served.

Those who join the Junior League will enroll in their membership training program, beginning Jan. 16 and meeting twice per month through May. The deadline for registration is Jan. 16.

Members are then able to select from a multitude of projects based on their level of interest; one’s skill-set is not a factor. 

The JLG hosts a “placement fair” in which members have an opportunity to learn about all ongoing projects.

All members will be trained in any area necessary in order to be effective in their desired role. 

According to Sue Rogers, president of the JLG and a 15-year member, many women look at their involvement with the JLG as an opportunity for growth and mentorship.

“We have many women with financial backgrounds who see their roles within the JLG as an opportunity to not only improve their community and serve others, but also gain new skill-sets and experience in an area they may have always been interested in pursuing such as marketing and communications,” Rogers said.

“We address the needs of our community, while providing training and workshops for members, it’s a win-win for all.”

Rogers says the common thread is that members simply want to get involved and help make Greenwich a better place.

“People have this misconception that we are a pearl wearing, white-glove group of women, which is so far from who we are,” said Rogers.

Rogers explained that their membership is comprised of all types of women, including executives, community leaders, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home-moms, professionals, both single and married.

Rogers said many of their members develop deep connections with the community centers that they partner with (such as the Boys & Girls Club or Nathaniel Witherell Rehab and Nursing Center), and continue to serve on their boards and branch out in many other capacities, even after a project is completed.

“There is nothing more gratifying than giving back and watching the ripple effect our members create throughout the community,” said Rogers.

For more information on the Junior League Greenwich, visit jlgreenwich.org. To become a member, call (203) 869-1979 or go to https://jlgreenwich.org/join/#

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