10 December 2008

 43 New Members of Junior League of London Complete Volunteer Training Programme

The Junior League of London is pleased to announce that 43 new members have completed their four-month long volunteer training program.  The new members hail from the UK, United States, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Poland, South Africa and Russia.   These women are lawyers, bankers, teachers, university students, (one is a professional dancer!) that come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.  The women, aged 22-49, have come together to make an impact in the London community.

The adage “if you want something done give it to a busy person” holds true here. Since September these women have painted a Council day care center, donated hours to a local soup kitchen, assisted in a London homeless shelter, assembled holiday hampers that helped over 1,400 Londoners, and collected books for a local primary school. For their new member project, the JLL members created, packaged and delivered holiday hampers containing gifts of toys, books, comfort items and practical necessities for the women and children supported by Eaves Women’s Aid. These baskets were delivered to the refuges on the day of a JLL-sponsored holiday party with entertainment for the women and children and an opportunity for the each mother to “shop” for a holiday present for her child.  The JLL members organised and executed all aspects of the project – from logistics to communications – as a component of the JLL intensive volunteer training programme in which new members acquire the skills and knowledge to effectively serve the London community.

The Junior League is rooted in the belief women are a force for change. Jennifer Clarke, President, noted, “A key part of the Junior League of London’s mission is the promotion of voluntary service and developing the potential of women.  We are pleased to announce that the influx of 43 new trained volunteers that will help us work towards eliminating poverty in London.” The 400 trained volunteer members of the Junior League of London give more than 20,000 of volunteer hours every year to serving the London community.

About the Junior League of London

The Junior League of London is a UK registered charity comprised of women committed to promoting voluntary service, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International and active in London since 1978, the Junior League of London has over 400 volunteer members who provide more than 20,000 hours of service to the community each year through dedicated programmes that support its vision of eliminating poverty and its effects in London. The JLL raises funds through a book for recent arrivals to the capital called Living in London, a week-long shopping event in the spring (6-15 March 2009) called London Spree, a holiday shopping bizarre (3-4 November 2009) called Boutique de Noel, corporate giving, grants and members’ dues.

To learn more about the Junior League and its community projects, buy a 2009 London Spree Card, purchase a copy of Living in London or find out about the Junior League of London’s next New Members’ Course for volunteers – visit www.jll.org.uk or phone the Junior League office on 020 7499 8159.

Registered Charity Number: 1103298   Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England No 5045667