Who We Are

The Western Reserve Junior Service League began in 1962 with twenty-three charter members and a rudimentary set of by-laws. Service League's first project was for Sheltered Industries in Mentor, which grew into the Deepwood complex. Early members volunteered there and at many other Lake County agencies.

The first Provisional class began during the 1963-1964 year. As membership increased, involvement in the community also increased and the need for funds became evident. Together with Cargill Productions of New York City, WRJSL launched the first Red Stocking Revue in 1964. The Candlelight Charity Ball began in 1967. Both of these fundraisers continue to be held by the League and allow us to provide much-needed grants to agencies throughout our area. Other fundraisers have included Home Tours, Casino Nights and the sale of cookbooks and a calendar featuring local safety service members.

WRJSL's second project was the children's theater at Lake Erie College. Later projects included the Volunteer Bureau, the Lake County Transportation Service and an arts council. Through WRJSL's tradition of providing seed money to fledgling agencies, these organizations became self-supporting or were absorbed by other non-profit agencies.

Later, instead of organizing projects, the League established a Community Research Committee to investigate the needs of existing agencies. To date the grant program has funded over $830,000.00 from the League's fundraising activities. The Free Clinic, the Society for Rehabilitation, Laketran, Rabbit Run Theater and WomenSafe are just a few of the agencies which have received funds for special equipment, computers, furniture, security and many more items and programs needed to improve our community.

WRJSL has grown along with the area and has become more complex every year, as demands have increased. The organization stays strong, as we have allowed it to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community as well as our members. While the original membership was comprised of mostly stay-at-home moms, most of the current membership have full-time jobs, but just as our fore-mothers, we remain eager to support and improve the social, cultural and educational needs of our community.

• "As a charter member, I am excited about how the organization has

evolved in response to the community's needs as well as those of our

members." (Sue Ellis) Sue was one of the original members and has

stayed very involved with the organization as an advisor.

As the community benefits greatly from WRJSL, our members feel they also benefit from their involvement with the League. Members find the volunteer aspect of membership educational and rewarding. They spend hours at a variety of agencies, working with the elderly, homeless, disabled and children, as well as supporting art, culture and education in the Western Reserve area. At these jobs, the women share their individual talents in many ways and in return experience great personal growth.

• "Volunteering gives you an opportunity to change other people's

lives, including your own." (Stephanie Lee)

• "I joined WRJSL to help others through volunteering and found it

helped me grow as a person. Service League gives you a chance to

discover what kinds of things you're best at and what you enjoy the

most. And volunteering provides you with a sense of responsibility

because people depend on you." (Jean Yentch)

All members serve on the League's committees. Here they develop organization and leadership skills and many women go on to serve on the boards of trustees of various agencies. This leads to great personal growth, which members take to their volunteer positions and to their work.

A personal story: While Linda Connelly was an active member in Service League, she learned about the many non-profit agencies and the services available to our area's residents. When a member of her family needed the services of Birthright, Linda contacted them. Soon Linda began to volunteer at Birthright, utilizing her talents and the skills she learned as a member of the League. Eventually Linda became the director of Birthright and in 2007 she was the recipient of the Lakeland Community College Women's Center Women Helping Women "Woman of Achievement" Award. Several members of the League currently volunteer at Birthright and WRJSL members always sponsor at least one table at Birthright's annual fundraiser. Linda remains a sustaining member of WRJSL and continues to support our efforts.

Another benefit the members cherish is the wonderful friendships made over the years of serving together, friendships that continue even after members go sustaining.

• "Volunteering when done individually, can be very rewarding. So

why join an organization like WRJSL? There is a social aspect to

Service League which often leads to a lot of fun. Friendships are formed

that last a lifetime. If you think about the type of person who wants to

volunteer and give back to the community, that's also the type of

person who makes a thoughtful and considerate friend. I know a lot

of women like that from Service League, and my life is certainly

richer for it." (Carolyn Blackwell)

AWARDS

1999 - WRJSL was voted "Organization of the Year" by the Society for Rehabilitation.

2001 - New Directions for Living named WRJSL "Group of the Year." Service League was very instrumental in helping New Directions become an approved United Way agency. Service League has also organized their clothing boutique for women clients and granted

funds for facility safety.

2003 - Mentor Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year.

2007 - Lifeline Community Spirit Award.