Our History
The Junior League of Colorado Springs belongs to the Association of Junior Leagues International. The very first Junior League was established in New York City by young women who wanted work to improve child health, nutrition and literacy. Soon after, new Leagues around the country formed, and the focus began to shift to social, health and educational issues that affected the community at large.
On March 30, 1924, a group of Colorado Springs women concerned about the survival of Nutrition Camp formed the Junior League of Colorado Springs (JLCS). The Nutrition Camp School helped malnourished children in Colorado Springs become healthier, thus fighting off the ravages of tuberculosis. The League sponsored five beds the first year. By 1939, the number of children helped reached 450.
Since that compelling beginning, the JLCS boasts an impressive history of serving the youth and families of Colorado Springs through our volunteer membership. The JLCS has grown and evolved, both as initiator of projects, and as a ready partner to other non-profit organizations to address needs in the community.
Today, there are over 294 leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Famous Junior Leaguers include: Shirley Temple Black, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, Betty Ford, Katharine Hepburn, Sandra Day O’Connor, Nancy Reagan and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Past Projects
| Active Through Advocacy Adolescent Pregnancy Task Force Adolescent Girls Receiving Home Advocacy Skills Workshop Arena Action Research Team – World Arena Arts and Interest – Art Lecture Series Baby Clinic Books Bring Adventure Radio Program Boy’s Club Library CALL – Consumer Action Line KOAA 5 & 30 Can Help (Consumer Advocacy) CARE Fair C.A.S.A. Child Advocacy Child Care Day Nursery Children’s Action Line, Ltd. Children’s Literacy Center Children’s Wing – Fine Arts Center Citizen’s Goals for Colorado Springs — (now known as Leadership Pikes Peak) Colorado Calendar Communities in Schools Community Challenge Community Enabling Fund Community Focus Forum Community Leadership Institute Community Service Corps Court Care Creative Writing Contest Program Crisis Care Nursery Domestic Violence Prevention Program Done in a Day El Paso County Group Socialization Program Envro-cycle Facts of Life Line Family Ties Fine Arts Children’s Theater Golden Happenings Radio Show |
Good Grief Hope House IRIS – Information & Referral Integrated System — (now known as 2-1-1) Kid Esteem Kids on the Block La Casa Contenta Listen Up Los Amigos Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Mental Health Lecture Series Nature Resource Guide Newborn Audio Screening Nutrition Camp Parenting Education/Parenting Enrichment Parents are Forever Parks Projects Pre-School for the Hard of Hearing Pikes Peak Children’s Museum Public School Milk Fund Ronald McDonald House Safe House/MOVE Safe Kids The School for the Deaf and the Blind Library School Volunteer Services Second Chance Shopping Service for Convalescent Soldiers Springspree TOP – Teen Outreach Program Tour Guide Town Hall Lecture Series USO Scrapbooks Volunteer Career Development Training Whitehouse Ranch Nature Trail Women and Alcohol Media Campaign Women’s Film Festival Women’s Seminar YES! (Youth Excelling in School) Youth Services Bureau |