About

We are the Junior League Westchester on the Sound

Above all else, our goal is to promote and perpetuate social change in the Westchester Sound Shore communities that will benefit most from it. By empowering women and providing valuable leadership training, we are giving local women the tools to get involved, put their talents to work, and positively impact the communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, Harrison, Port Chester and Rye.

Strength in Numbers

As one of hundreds of Junior League chapters across the world, we are a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI).Established in 1951, the Junior League Westchester on the Sound plays an integral part in the development, improvement, and support of the communities of Westchester Sound Shore Communities.

 

While you’re here, we welcome you to learn how to join us, support our work, or get involved.

 

Our Local Impact

For this league year 2022-2023, we will focus on mobilizing our team to meet the various needs the pandemic has brought on while offering flexibility in the ways we serve our community together. We are well positioned to enter a new era in retail sales with our thrift store The Golden Shoestring and will focus on driving revenue to continue to fund our programs and support our community partners. Our time together will be focused on service but also in exploring essential topics such as self-care and diversity given the ongoing national conversation.

 

Here are some of the ways we have and continue to make an impact in our communities:

 

  1. Caritas of Port Chester

Caritas “Meals on Main Street” program, partnered with the Carver Center and the Salvation Army to distribute hundreds of meals daily to hungry individuals and families during Covid and continuing to date. Volunteers drove and dropped off meals to addresses of people in need for contact free delivery during the height of Covid. Food was also rescued and bought from local restaurants and delis struggling to keep afloat and continue.

  1. Helping Hands for the Hungry and Homeless

Food was distributed to those in need, in addition, to distributing hygiene products and new underwear to teen girls in transitional housing throughout Westchester and the Sound Shore. Additionally, the annual August program of 2,200 backpacks “Mission Backpack” were packed outside and distributed through local agencies- volunteers all wore masks and were socially distanced.

  1. Carver Center

Partnering with Caritas of Port Chester’s “Meals on Main St.” and the Salvation Army, hundreds of meals and food pantry bags are continuing to be distributed daily to individuals and families in need.

  1. 5 Steps to 5

Although in person programs were suspended due to the Covid crisis, 5 Steps to 5 continues to work and support mothers/ babies with parenting and language, reading materials etc.

  1. STEM Alliance of Larchmont/Mamaroneck

STEM Alliance worked with the Larchmont/Mamaroneck school districts since the March school closures to support remote digital learning and drive through food distribution. STEM continued with summer programs and creative summer learning especially for underprivileged students.

  1. Girls Inc. of Westchester

Girls Inc. of Westchester are focused on girls bullying issues, with programs in the New Rochelle and Port Chester schools. Monica Spears, Director of Development of Girls, Inc. will submit a report midyear to JLWOS.

  1. The Sharing Shelf (TSS)

TSS continued to provide hygiene products to teen girls in need during Covid, while also partnering with Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) who usually co-host Teen Boutique every Spring and our league co-host the Fall boutique.

Usual clothing operations began again in their Port Chester warehouse over May/June offering back to school clothing and backpacks for any Westchester child in need, identified through school social workers. Volunteer warehouse appointments required (masks and social distancing) along with scheduled clothing donation times.

  1. Art Supply Donations – June 2020

Substantial art supplies and sketch pads were donated to the Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck and the Carver Center in Port Chester. These were left over supplies from our “Paint it Forward” arts program, that had to stop when the girls could no longer meet in person at JFK elementary school in Port Chester due to Covid-19.

If you’re interested in learning more about our current focus or developing your own civic leadership skills, we welcome you to learn more about the JLWOS or connect with us.

Help Us Lead Change

There is always more work to be done, more help needed, and more opportunities to make an impact in Westchester. The empowered women of JLWOS are working to improve our local communities through leadership and effective action. Will you join them?