The Junior League celebrates major gifts to the community in 2015-2016

BOSTON, MA — The Junior League of Boston, an all-women, volunteer-led organization serving greater Boston, will award the 2016 Community Assistance Grants at their Annual Meeting on June 16^th.  Recipients include the Food Project and Girls Leap, both second-year grant recipients, with the roster of new recipients including the Center for Young Women’s Health at Children’s Hospital, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Rosie’s Place and Women’s Lunch Place. 

“The Junior League of Boston focuses our community impact on the wellness of girls.  Each grant recipient has made a crucial contribution to advancing and empowering girls and young women in greater Boston over the past year,” said Valerie Pontiff, President of the Junior League of Boston. “We are proud to be able to provide financial support to enable these wonderful organizations to further the cause we all hold dear – empowering the girls and women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

The Junior League of Boston also announced the completion of the largest in-kind donation the organization has made in many years.  Through the 45^th Anniversary Decorators’ Show House, the Junior League and its 25 designer partners contributed more than $300,000 in in-kind and direct financial support toward the renovation of the Nathaniel Allen House in West Newton.  This National Historic Register property was a stop on the Underground Railroad and the first co-educational school in the United States.  The property had fallen into disrepair, and through the work of Show House, received a new kitchen and a complete interior restoration of the first and second floors of the main house.  The property will enter fall of 2016 as arts and culture space for adults and children in greater Boston. 

“The Junior League has transformed an important historic property and brought it back to life,” said Setti Warren, Mayor of the City of Newton.  “The professionalism and depth of talent the Junior League brought to this regional gem is unparalleled and deeply appreciated.”

Junior League of Boston builds the skills and confidence of girls through member developed curriculums, which include leadership training, arts, physical activity and healthy eating.  Thousands of hours of volunteer time and a substantial financial commitment toward the programs positively impact the lives of girls in the greater Boston community.  Schools and partners who help the Junior League of Boston reach the girls include: Boston Renaissance Charter School for both the JL Boston Arts and Kids in the Kitchen programs, Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club for the Leader Within program, Youth Villages Germaine Lawrence campus for both the Amigas and Run Club programs, West End House Boys and Girls Club and Boys and Girls Club of Charlestown for the Learning Circles program, Salesian Boys and Girls Club for the Kids in the Kitchen and Leader Within programs, Excel Academy for JL Boston Arts at Junior League of Boston Headquarters program.  Dress for Success and Strong Women Strong Girls are two additional strategic partners.   

“It is remarkable to take a step back and see the measurable impact our members make in our community in one year,” said Molly Fazio, Director of Community Service. “We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continue the expansion of our community outreach.”

Community Service programming was expanded in 2016 thanks to the Trip Advisor Foundation which provided a $24,700 grant that enabled the expansion of both Leader Within and JL Boston Arts programs.

“Junior League members bring so much talent, compassion and authenticity to their support of the non-profit landscape in greater Boston,” says Patricia A. Parcellin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and the keynote speaker at the Junior League’s 2016 Annual Meeting. “Our shared commitment to helping girls and women reach their full potential is a strong foundation for our wonderful partnership and will make a real difference in the lives of the girls we serve.”

The 1,000 members of the Junior League provide exceptional direct service to the girls of greater Boston through their 19 community service programs, and elevate regional non-profits through the leadership of established Junior League members.  As the Junior League prepares for the 2016-2017 year, the organization anticipates additional growth in membership community service programming.  “The Junior League is an unparalleled platform for innovative community solutions.  Together we are catalysts for lasting community change and through strategic partnerships we continue to positively impact the greater Boston community,” says Pamela Lynch, who will serve as President of the Junior League of Boston beginning July 1, 2016.

About the Junior League of Boston

The Junior League of Boston is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Members of the Junior League of Boston are dedicated to effecting positive change in our community and committed to the belief that volunteer service is an essential part of responsible citizenship.