Focus Area
Women, Children and Families
Vision Statement
Empowering people to improve the quality of life in our community.
Purpose
Founded in 1930, the Junior League of Rockford, Inc. (JLR) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Rockford, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.
Membership
Over 200 active and sustaining members.
Affiliation
The Junior League of Rockford, Inc. is a member of an international organization known as the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI). AJLI is comprised of over 155,000 women in 292 Junior Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and England. AJLI supports local chapters by offering leadership development training, maintaining the AJLI website, facilitating networking with leagues, and providing members with discounts on a variety of products and services.
Activities
The Junior League of Rockford, Inc. holds nine meetings each year and a number of social events for its members. Each active member serves on at least one of the seven committees directed by a Board of Directors and structured into four councils: Membership, Community, Fund Development, and Finance. The Project/Fundraiser Research committee is responsible for researching and selecting one specific, long-term project that the membership develops and implements. Upon completion, the Junior League of Rockford turns the project over to the community.
Present Project
The Junior League of Rockford, Inc. voted to begin a new project in 2020 that will focus on Literacy concerns in our community. Through various book drives and working with other community members, we hope to place books in the hands of children throughout our community.
Past Projects
- Girls On Their Way
- RAISE (Reaching And Inspiring Students for Education)
- MAYA’S House
- Discovery Center Museum
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
- Bright Side Adult Day Center
- Stepping Stones
- Rock River Discovery Park
- Domestic Violence Assistance Center
- Youth Services Network
- Washington Park Community Recreation Center
- Ken-Rock Community Center – Our First Project in 1930
- Backpack Buddies
- Girls Who Code
Funding
Community Projects are funded through generous contributions from JLR members, the public, and corporate donors, as well as through various grant opportunities and JLR fundraisers, including:
Unique Spaces Home Tour
Dine by Design Kitchen Tour
“Under One Roof” Designer Showcase Home Tour
Eat, Live, Relax Home Tour
Bob Harper Speaker Event
Event Extravaganza
Artale Wine Tasting Event
Olympic Tavern Beer Tasting Event
Holiday Gifts and Glam Online Auction
ReNew Rummage Sale
Spring Splendor Online Auction
Themed Home Tour
American Girl Doll Fashion Show
Boos & Spirits Halloween Gala
Little Black Dress Initiative
Awards
2014 Crusader Community Health Spirit of Caring Award
2011 Rockford Public Schools Board of Education Certificate of Recognition for the RAISE Program
2007 Winnebago County CASA Program Appreciation Award
2006 Discovery Center Museum Founding Partner Award
2006 YWCA Non-Profit Recognition Award
2003 Rock River Chapter of American Red Cross Partner Award (MAYA’S House) 2000 National Society of Fundraising Executives Outstanding Community Service Award
2000 Boys & Girls Club Volunteer Award (Patriot’s Gateway Homework Helper Program)
1993 Golden Key Award (Opportunities Industrialization Center)
1992 JC Penney Golden Rule Volunteer Service Recognition Award (Rock River Discovery Park)
1990 JC Penney Golden Rule Volunteer Service Recognition Award (STEP-ONE)
1988 Rockford Register Star Excelsior Award
1987 WIFR TV-23 Action Award
Association of Junior Leagues International Awards
2004 “JL” Award – Fund Development for 2003 Designer Showcase Home
2004 “JL” Honorable Mention – Project Development for MAYA’S House (Mother’s and Youth Attaining Stability)
90 Years in the Community
The Junior League of Rockford, Inc., founded on April 11, 1930, has contributed 90 years of service to the Rock River Valley. Throughout its long history, Junior League members have received the training and knowledge necessary to build coalitions, identify community needs and develop effective and responsive programs to serve those needs. The Junior League of Rockford’s first community project, Ken-Rock Community Center, was initiated in 1930 and remains an integral part of the community today, along with many other JLR projects that were developed over the years.