Mission Statement

• Junior League of Wichita, Inc. (JLW) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

  Junior League of Wichita, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism.

When was Junior League of Wichita founded?

• Junior League of Wichita, Inc. was founded January 15, 1925, and will be celebrating its 86th anniversary January 2011. JLW is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc., which is comprised of 300 Leagues in 4 different countries.

How does Junior League of Wichita serve the community?

• JLW makes a difference in the Wichita area by placing well-trained volunteers in the community, along with the funds to create or augment beneficial programs. The first community program was the Free Milk and Ice Fund in 1925-26.
• Since its founding, JLW has contributed over $5.8 million to the Wichita community in the form of community projects and training programs. In addition, over $44 million in-kind services in the form of volunteer hours have been donated to improve the quality of life in the Wichita area.
• JLW focuses its efforts on seven key areas: women, children, aging, a positive image for the City of Wichita, violence, voluntarism and the environment.

How are Junior League of Wichita community projects selected?

• Community projects can be developed by JLW or a community organization. Our Project Development committee studies the needs of the community, solicits requests for proposals from area non-profit organizations, and then chooses and/or develops projects for membership approval.

What are Junior League of Wichita’s current community projects (2010-2011 League Year)?

• Fun & Phonics:  A one-year program working with the Fundamental Learning Center to spearhead the creation and implementation of a new preschool language and literacy training program. 
• Reading at the Ranch:  A one-year program with Judge Riddel Boys Ranch to develop and facilitate a book club and create a library facility.

What are some of Junior League of Wichita’s past community projects?

• In 2000, JLW celebrated its 75th Anniversary by collaborating with and making a financial contribution of $1.5 million to the Sedgwick County Zoo for construction of the Pride of the Plains exhibit.
• From 2003-2006, JLW partnered with KPTS and Wichita USD 259 on a project called Share A Story: A Junior League of Wichita & KPTS Reading Initiative. This project, designed to break intergenerational illiteracy, involved volunteers reading out loud to pre-kindergarten children in 72 Wichita Public School classes for a total of 63,000 volunteer hours. Each student was also given a set of 10 Clifford books. In all 3,600 children and their parents were touched through this program, and 36,000 books were given to students.

How are community projects funded?

• JLW projects are funded by the profits from JLW fundraisers: Holiday Galleria, Kids’ Zoobilee, Women of Great Taste cookbook, and the Sunflower Sampler—36th Year Limited Edition cookbook.

JLW fundraiser descriptions

• Holiday Galleria is JLW’s annual upscale shopping event featuring over 100 regional and national merchants. In its first six years, Holiday Galleria net proceeds have totaled over $560,000. The objective of the 2010 Holiday Galleria is to raise funds to fulfill JLW’s mission of building a better community. Holiday Galleria 2010: A Day of Shopping A Year of Giving will be held at Century II Expo Hall, October 7 – 10, 2010.

• Kids’ Zoobilee is a collaboration between JLW and the Sedgwick County Zoo. The annual family event is held at the Sedgwick County Zoo during the first weekend in June. June 4, 2011, will mark the 13th annual Kids’ Zoobilee.

• The Women of Great Taste cookbook is a collection of over 300 triple-tested recipes submitted by members and friends of JLW.  First printed in 1995, the cookbook is in its second printing.  In 1995, it was honored with the Midwest regional Tabasco® Award.

• The Sunflower Sampler—36th Year Limited Edition contains over 450 unique and lovingly tested recipes, originally published in 1973 as a fundraiser.  After numerous community requests, this anniversary edition was released to ensure that Kansas cooking lives on.

How many women are members of Junior League of Wichita?

• Over 700 women are members involved in three different membership levels: New Member, Active and Sustaining. Members reflect a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and professions.

Where can I learn more about the Junior League of Wichita?

• At www.jlwichita.org, or by calling JLW Headquarters at 316-682-7473.

Holiday Galleria proceeds will be used to fulfill Junior League of Wichita, Inc.'s mission of building a better community.

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