5 ways this local organization is leading change in Birmingham

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The Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) has been committed to building partnerships for a better Birmingham for over 100 years. A major focus of the organization’s mission is service to our local community. 

JLB volunteers address many of the most pressing needs in our community, including domestic violence awareness and prevention, health and wellness education, food insecurity, workforce development and adult and adolescent literacy. 

Read on for details on some of these initiatives and how you can get involved.

About the Junior League of Birmingham

If you’re not familiar with the JLB or you’ve only heard about it in passing, you might wonder what this group is all about.

Here are some interesting facts to know:

• JLB is the local branch of a national organization that donates service hours + funds to support 28 programs in partnership with Birmingham area nonprofits.
• It’s made up of nearly 2,000 women who give back over 40,000 hours of hands-on community service each year.
• Members commit to training + volunteer activities supporting programs that create an impact within four focus areas:
  • Advancing Education + Culture
  • Improving Health + Well-being
  • Mitigating Crisis + Promoting Safety
  • Overcoming Poverty + Financial Instability

JLB loves the community

This year, JLB created additional opportunities for members to help meet growing needs in Birmingham.

While JLB members typically work with just one community partner, “JLB Loves the Community” activities allowed volunteers to expand their knowledge and help more local causes.

JLB Volunteers support programs with 19 agencies across the Greater Birmingham area this year, including:

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Children’s of Alabama
• Collat Jewish Family Services
• Community Foodbank of Central Alabama
• Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center
• Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama
• Grace Klein Community
• Vineyard Family Services

“On any given day, JLB volunteers may be out in the community counseling children who have witnessed domestic violence, delivering groceries to food insecure seniors, working with local officials to combat human trafficking or conducting ESL classes to help immigrants navigate the process of naturalization.

We are improving lives and communities through our work and we hope it inspires others to do the same.”

Callie Nash, Community Vice President, Junior League of Birmingham

3 new partnerships this year

1. ¡HICA! ESL Classes for Hispanic Applicants for Naturalization

• About the program: ¡HICA! is a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement and social justice for Latino and immigrant families in Alabama. ¡HICA!’s ESL classes are designed to offer sustainable + accessible education to those seeking U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

• JLB’s involvement: Members volunteer to provide steady weekly opportunities for practicing skills learned in class with native English speakers + evaluate their progress along the way.

2. Bridgeways Links-Up Mentoring

• About the program: This unique program is designed to detect + assist local children exhibiting early signs of at-risk behaviors, such as absenteeism + recurring behavioral issues. 

• The JLB’s involvement: By providing a warm, accepting atmosphere with age-appropriate activities + discussions, JLB mentors can help children explore their behaviors, feelings + interactions with peers while learning appropriate ways of expressing themselves. 

3. JLB: Birmingham City Schools Career Cafes

• About the program: JLB’s Career Cafes are designed to enable 8^th graders in Birmingham and Fairfield schools to gain an understanding of diverse career paths before they begin high school. 
• JLB’s involvement: Students visit JLB Headquarters to learn from JLB members about learning paths to prepare them for various careers. Learn more!

Additional ways JLB makes a difference 

In addition to traditional opportunities for members to serve through JLB programs and partnerships, JLB provides resources for local agencies:

• The JLB Corps of Volunteers provides support for nonprofits holding runs, fundraisers and events like the Birmingham-Southern College closing ceremony. 
• JLB’s Community Assistance Fund provides grants to organizations needing funding for unforeseen circumstances.
• JLB’s Go the Extra Mile program supports projects like playground enhancements and drives for goods and items needed to support nonprofit programming and activities.

Check out JLB’s Community Support Map to see how your organization can become a partner.

“JLB is committed to serving the community, developing the potential of our members and inspiring others to volunteer. Without the direct funding and volunteers provided by JLB, many of the projects we support would not be in existence today.”

June Clark, President, Junior League of Birmingham

How you can get involved

If you want to make a real impact in Birmingham, joining the JLB is a great way to get involved.

When you join, you will have many exciting opportunities, including:

• Connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about serving Birmingham’s communities.
• Directly contributing to meaningful projects + seeing the results of your efforts first-hand.
• Enhancing your leadership, organizational + teamwork skills through a variety of volunteer and leadership opportunities. 

Want to help our local community in a big way? Join the Junior League of Birmingham now.

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