Our History

Since our founding in 1920, The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. (JLS) has been creating significant change in the Central New York community. Our organization has become a recognized leader for developing and supporting collaborations that provide meaningful programs for women, children, and families. For 100 years, the JLS has trained women to be valued community volunteers. Through volunteer service and financial support, the JLS and our members have been instrumental in the development and growth of over 100 educational, cultural, human service, and philanthropic assets in our community, including:

  • 2020-Present

    • Awarded Boeheim Foundation Grant to form and begin Literacy and Nutrition courses for our partners at the Boys and Girls Club and the Northside CYO
    • Built and installed 3 Little Free Libraries in partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority
    Completed 100th Anniversary Signature Projects to highlight important community partnerships over the years. Projects included partnerships with:
    • Sleep In Heavenly Peace
    • The Rescue Mission
    • Access CNY
    • CNY Diaper Bank
    • Vera House
    • Girls on the Go (YWCA)
    • On Point for College
    • PEACE Inc.
    • Continued partnerships to provide volunteers for The Samaritan Center, Food Bank, We Rise Above the Streets, and the YWCA

  • 2010s

    • Formalized partnership with Chadwick Residence through an MOU in 2018 to build on the previous collaboration, including the introduction of nutritional and financial literacy classes.
    • Advocating on the issue of human trafficking
    • Developed annual STEM Expo (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) for students of Danforth Middle School in Syracuse, NY
    • Educated families from the Southwest Community Center
    • Worked with refugee families at Catholic Charities‘ Northside CYO
    • Raised awareness of child abuse through the planting of pinwheel gardens throughout our community
    • In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Syracuse, Inc., the league is partnering with organizations from its past 100 years to create projects that will benefit these organizations and provide opportunities for collaboration with the League to further its mission, as envisioned by League Founder Mary Harriman.

  • 2000s

    • Donated funding and decorated playroom for McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site (now Center)
    • Began the Jerridith Wilson Leadership and Development Fund for member training
    • Redesigned and re-launched Silent Witness as a workplace domestic violence awareness exhibit, now under the operation of Vera House
    • Hosted the first annual Silent Witness Walk to end domestic violence
    • Developed “A Child’s Voice” project in partnership with McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site (now Center) to address issues of child abuse

  • 1990s

    • Held immunization days for city school children; developed education days, parenting seminars, which are still offered today
    • Developed the Silent Witness domestic violence awareness exhibit
    • Developed the “Baby Think It Over” project to help prevent teenage pregnancy
    • Started the Project W.H.A.L.E. collection and donation program for community agencies
    • Participated in the Millennium Project for Fire Safety Prevention and Education

  • 1980s

    • Worked with the Department of Social Services to establish a Cooperative Review Panel to evaluate the needs of children in foster care
    • Developed and presented a public awareness campaign, “What are our children watching?”
    • Donated funds to the Burnet Park Zoo (now Rosamond Gifford Zoo) education and wildlife conservation program
    • CONTACT Syracuse for the development of an after-school program help line
    • Volunteer Connection for a multimedia-based program to recruit volunteers

  • 1970s

    • Donated funds toward:
      • The purchase of a home for the Directions and Education in Narcotics Halfway House for Women
      • The expansion of the Brighton Family Center
      • Children’s programming at the Onondaga Civic Center
      • The director’s salary at the Discovery Center (now, The MOST)

  • 1960s

    • Donated funds toward:
      • The funding of a slide library at the Everson Museum of Art
      • The salary of a secretary for Directions and Education in Narcotics and the Everson Museum of Art Curator of Research and Information
      • A craft mobile for ethnic arts and crafts for the inner city
      • The funding of Home Aides of Central New York

  • 1950s

    • Helped the Everson Museum of Art open an art shop
    • Provided docents for the Everson Museum
    • Donated Funds toward:
      • An obstetrical office at Community Hospital
      • The salary of a secretary at the Council on Aging
      • A teaching specialist at Illingsworth Nursery School for the Blind Child
      • A caseworker for the “Multi-Problem Family Project” at Huntington Family Center

  • 1940s

    • Sponsored art classes for children at the Everson Museum of Art
    • Funded school concerts for children

  • 1930s

    • Started the Christmas Toy Fund
    • Founded the Volunteer Center
    • Provided financial support for the programming of the Council of Social Agencies

  • 1920s

    • Started the first prenatal clinic in Syracuse
    • Coordinated in-school nutrition classes
    • Assumed management of Camp Hillcrest convalescent home for children