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Our Mission: The Junior League of
Champaign-Urbana (JLCU) is a charitable, nonprofit organization of more than
350 trained women volunteers. More than half of our active members work
either full or part time outside of the home in addition to fulfilling their
JLCU responsibilities. Many members of our sustaining membership
volunteer their time serving on community boards and in service to other
community organizations. As one of the 293 members of the
Association of Junior Leagues, International, the resources and influence of
the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana extend beyond our local community
to state, national and international levels. Headquartered in New York,
the Association includes Leagues from the United States, Canada, Mexico
and Great Britain and represents over 193,000 volunteers. Our volunteer efforts focus on the
children in our community. The Junior League of Champaign-Urbana
provides ongoing and diversified training experiences for our membership
through community service, seminars, leadership opportunities, mentoring and
the development of organizational skills. Community
Involvement
Community
Involvement Position
Statements 1. Voluntarism as an essential,
effective component of our society. 2. Fair and equal opportunities
for women. 3. Development of the arts.
continuing opportunities for art education, and community access to all
cultural resources. 4. Opportunities and services
essential for the physical, intellectual, mental, and social growth for: 5. Elimination of domestic
violence by programs and legislation designed to understand the problem,
assist and protect the victims, and work effectively with the abuser. 6. Protection of a healthful
environment and the preservation of natural resources. 7. Programs, legislation, and
preventative measures that concern public health issues. ------- Back to Top -------. Brief History of
the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana A radical idea in the fifties, the Day
Care Center was established (now the Bradley Street Daycare) and the
Champaign County Rehabilitation Center became a reality (now the
Developmental Services Center, DSC). In 1972-73, the organization
became part of the national Association of Junior Leagues. Fundraising
and projects continued, as the new JLCU became active in every corner of the
community with projects serving infants, youth and adults focusing on mental and
physical health, the arts, education, substance abuse, and historical
preservation. As the organization celebrated its 50th anniversary, our
efforts continued in child welfare advocacy, leadership training and the
arts. By the mid-eighties, the groundwork had been laid for the Crisis
Nursery with Burnham Hospital as our partner. This project served as a
model throughout the country to service children and families in critical
need of emergency care for their young children. Following Crisis Nursery, Food for
Families was established in partnership with the Eastern Illinois
Foodbank. In 1986, 84,000 pounds of food was raised along with
$10,000.00 to feed the hungry. By the late eighties, we began our
involvement with the Women's Emergency Shelter (Now known as the Center for
Women in Transition.), designed the HELP! Book for Family Services, became
instrumental in the Childcare Resource Center and collected over 200,000
pounds of food for Food For Families. The nineties sees JLCU continue
its involvement with the community and its development of the leadership
skills of its members. ------- Back to Top -------
Association of
Junior Leagues International (AJLI)
A summary of its 90 year history: An old Chinese proverb says, "Tell
me, I'll forget. Show me, I may remember. But involve me, and
I'll understand." For almost ten decades, Junior Leagues have
worked in their communities to foster that spirit of involvement in improving
the community. Beginning at the turn of the century, Junior League
founder Mary Harriman sought to involve those who were more fortunate in the
lives of those who were in need. At the turn of the century, America's
cities were growing, the result of mass immigration, urbanization and
industrialization. Mary Harriman, a woman ahead of her time, was moved
by the suffering she saw around her. Undeterred by those who felt such
behavior was unbecoming a lady, her determination led her to found the Junior
League in 1901 to address the needs of the disadvantaged and to provide a
worthwhile activity for her friends. The League soon grew to be 85
members strong and attracted the attention of many, including Eleanor
Roosevelt, future First Lady of the United States, who joined in 1903.
The Junior Leagues worked to establish orphanages and programs in the fine
arts, to promote dental health for children, and to provide home nursing for
the elderly. The 1910s Human tragedy and world
upheavals marked the 1910s. The year 1914 saw the beginning of the
First World War in Europe. Canada was involved immediately and the
United States joined the war in 1917. The concept of Junior League
volunteerism spread west; in 1910, the Portland, Oregon, League was founded,
becoming "Fourth in the nation, first in the West." Junior Leagues began to focus their
efforts on the social issues of children, women and families. From
suffrage for women to foster homes for children, Leagues worked
tirelessly. The Junior League of Brooklyn successfully petitioned the
Board of Education to provide free lunches in city schools. When World War I began, Junior Leagues
looked for ways to support the war effort. Junior League members across
the country sold Liberty Bonds, worked in Army hospitals and drove
ambulances. The San Francisco Junior League formed a motor delivery
service that served as a model for the nationwide Red Cross Motor
Corps. Comprising 126 members, a Junior League unit of YWCA served in
France. In 1912, the need for mutual support
triggered the first Junior League conference, and a League was
established in Montreal, Canada, making it the first League outside of the
United States. During the rest of the decade, 25 additional Leagues
joined the ranks of those active in the community. As the world became linked via
communications and transportation breakthroughs, Junior Leagues joined
together to format the Association of Junior Leagues of America. A
special conference in New York was attended by 24 Leagues: Dorothy
Straight was elected as the first Association president and a nine-member
Board of Directors was established. The Junior League National Bulletin
was established as a communication link for League members, becoming, in
1927, the Junior League Magazine. It was sold at newsstands as a
journal of youthful opinion. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The
1920s Junior Leagues
spread rapidly in the 1920s and so did their innovative programs. As
issues grew in complexity, Leagues received the support of a professional
staff. The Junior League of Chicago pioneered children's theater and
the idea was taken up by more than 100 Leagues across the country. In 1929, the Stock Market crashed and
millions were left penniless. Junior Leagues responded to the
nationwide economic hardship by operating baby clinics, day nurseries for
working mothers, birth control clinics, training schools for nurses and by providing
many other practical services. As the national crisis grew, increasing
numbers of women looked for ways to contribute. By the end of the
decade, 81 Leagues had joined the Association. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The
1930s Economic
disaster and upheaval characterized the 930s. Junior Leagues responded
by opening nutrition centers and milk stations to aid the hungry. They
also set up special volunteer bureaus to recruit, train and place much-needed
volunteers to assist those suffering most from the Great Depression. As part of League efforts to promote
awareness of child welfare needs, four Leagues developed the first State
Public Affairs Committee for the State of Virginia. The involvement of
Junior Leagues in welfare issues was so great that by 1935 there were five
social workers on the Association staff as field consultants. Junior
Leagues also became active in opening thrift and salvage stores, as both a
public service and a means of fundraising. During the 1930s, the Junior Leagues of
America welcomed the Junior League of Mexico City into the Association.
Now Junior Leagues operated in three countries. A total of 37 Leagues
joined the Association during the 1930s. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The
1940s In the 1940s,
the United States and Canada joined he Second World War and soon women were
serving at home and abroad. Junior League members played a major role
in the war effort, leading the creation of central volunteer defense bureaus
and chairing hundreds of war-related organizations in virtually every city
where Junior Leagues operated. League members became leaders in the
military: Oveta Culp Hobby of the Houston League commanded the Women's
Army Corps and Montreal League members commanded the Canadian Women's
Auxiliary Air Force. Leagues continued their groundbreaking
work outside of the war effort as well. In 1948, the Louisville League
financed and helped staff a cancer clinic, believed to have been the first of
its kind. As the concept of volunteer service spread over the country,
League membership continued to grow. The Association saw the addition
of 24 Leagues during the decade. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The 1950s The 1950s brought the Baby
Boom and the Association continued to grow and expand, focusing its efforts
on educational and cultural projects. The Baby Boom produced an
enormous need for schools and teachers, and many Leagues worked to improve
and expand public schools. As many as 123 Leagues were involved in such
projects as remedial reading centers, diagnostic testing programs and
programs for gifted and challenged children. By the end of the decade,
Junior Leagues were involved in 316 arts projects, and in several cities
collaborated with the William Hornaday Foundation to establish children's
museums. With the popularity of television,
Junior Leagues helped start educational TV and were among the first to
promote quality programming for children. Several Leagues produced
weekly live shows featuring teenage panel discussions. Wherever they existed, Junior League
projects were having a growing impact. In 1952, the Mexico City League
created and opened the most complete, internationally recognized center for
the blind in the entire Spanish-speaking world. Helen Keller visited
the center, praising its accomplishments. Junior Leagues also collaborated
with the YWCA on a 'round-the-world reconstruction fund. The Seattle
League was recognized for its development of a creative dramatic program
which was adopted by UNESCO as a therapeutic tool for children harmed by the
war. In the 1950s, an additional 22 Leagues joined the Association. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The 1960s A time of upheaval, social
unrest and change characterized the 1960s. As the Civil Rights movement
grew, Leagues discussed the value of ethnic diversity within the Leagues. Rachel Carson launched the modern
environmental movement with her book, "Silent Spring." At the
same time, Junior Leagues added environmental issues to their agendas with
the development of the educational film, "Fate of a River," which
detailed the problems of pollution. Urban riots around the country led
to a new awareness and understanding of the inequities of society, which in
turn motivated Leagues to establish programs addressing the education,
housing, social services and employment needs of urban residents. One such
program, launched by the Boston League, includes a tutoring program for one
of Boston's disadvantaged neighborhoods. Several Leagues formed community
advisory boards to increase their awareness of the communities' needs and
improve access to resources in project development. The Association
grew by 22 Leagues during the '60s. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The 1970s The 1970s saw the
advent of both disco and an international energy crisis. Membership
diversification became a priority of the Junior Leagues with the adoption of
its statement that the Association "reaches out to women of all races,
religions and national origins." The Association expanded its
participation in issues of public affairs, including child health and
juvenile justice. In 1973, AJLI embarked on an Association wide effort
to improve the system of criminal justice that involved the National
Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Justice Department. A four-year
program resulted in which 185 Leagues took part. In addition, in 1975,
a plan was adopted to assist female prisoners with health care, nutrition and
vocational training. The Association introduced the highly
popular Volunteer Career Development Program, incorporating self-assessment
and life-planning seminars as a means of helping women achieve personal
career goals. Ten Leagues joined the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation in
a demonstration project to help active senior citizens work as advocates for
other seniors. By the end of the decade, the Associations ranks ad
increased by 24 Leagues. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The 1980s The 1980s saw women
achieving new firsts in the workforce, from Sally Ride as the first woman in
space to League member Sandra Day O'Connor as the first woman to sit on the
Supreme Court. Diversification training programs
supported the Association's goal of reaching out to women of all races,
religions and national origins. Throughout the United States, Junior
Leagues gained recognition for national advocacy efforts aimed at improving
the nation's child welfare system. Leagues were also credited with
helping to gain passage of the first federal legislation to address the
growing crisis of domestic violence. The Canadian Federation sponsored the first
national conference to focus on violence against women and the Junior League
of London became the fourth Junior League outside the United States. In the 1980s, AJLI was presented with
the National Service Award and the U.S. President's Volunteer Action
Award. The decade also saw 37 Leagues join the Association. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI ------- The
1990s In the
present decade, the Information Highway is the most popular means of travel
and AJLI is taking advantage of the advances in communication technology,
introducing the Bulletin Board System and toll-free service hotline for all
League members. Starting with the Partnership Project in
1992, and continuing with the Equity dialog and, most recently, the advocacy
and gender dialogues, Leagues are honing their skills in conducting
Association-wide dialogues. "Don't Wait to
Vaccinate," a public awareness campaign aimed at parents of young
children, was launched by 230 Leagues from four countries. A comprehensive guide to strategies for
promoting multiculturalism, "Building Blocks for Multicultural
Development, drew on the experiences of the Association and was made
available to all Leagues. Seventeen Leagues participated in a
White House dialogue to explore ways to improve maternal and child
health. The development of strategies for reform of middle school
education on the community level was a primary goal of a core group of
Leagues. Since 1994, the Junior Leagues have been
engaged in a comprehensive Association wide Strategic Planning process that
is remarkable in the breadth and depth of its scope. It is designed to
enhance the League's sense of shared purpose and commitment.
"Developing the potential of women;" a new Vision, which focused on
strengthening communities by "embracing diverse perspectives, building
partnerships and inspiring shared solutions"; and new Priorities: (1)
Leadership & Organizational Development and (2) Collaborations,
Networking & Partnerships. The AJLI Board of Directors has approved
definitive Outcomes that will guide the partners as they work together on the
road to achieving the Mission and Vision. Today, the rich history of the Junior
Leagues allows us all to celebrate 100 years of community service. The
challenges continue to grow and the need for the Junior League is clearer
than ever. ------- Back to Top or Back to AJLI -------
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Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois Terminal, 45 East University, Suite 205, Champaign, IL 61820 217-356-5880 |
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