The Junior League of Reading is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.
Our Mission
To accomplish our mission, we depend on both our enthusiastic and committed members and outside support in the form of donations and sponsors. - Learn About Becoming a Member - - Learn About Donating -
Community Impact
With a focus on the emotional health of youth, the Junior League of Reading’s Youth Empowered program seeks to improve the self-esteem of our youth and empower them to become leaders in our community.
Our strategies include:
- Increasing access to leadership programs and opportunities
- Providing educational forums on issues affecting the development of positive self-esteem
- Increasing opportunities for empowerment through youth volunteer service
- Expanding our menstrual equity program to reach a wider audience and address more community needs
Young Women’s Summit
A Weekend to Grow, Connect, and Lead
The Junior League of Reading’s Young Women’s Summit is a free, interactive weekend experience designed just for middle school girls in Berks County.
Through hands-on activities, small-group conversations, and inspiring workshops, participants will:
• Build confidence and leadership skills
• Connect with other girls from across the county
• Learn how to use their voice and make a difference
• Explore mental health, empathy, and self-care in age-appropriate ways
• Have fun in a supportive, welcoming environment
Girls can attend one of two weekends, February 28 or March 7, participation is completely FREE.
This program is led by trained Junior League volunteers and community partners who are passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders.
2026 Young Women’s Summit
The JLR’s Young Women’s Summit is a two-day workshop, facilitated by the members of JLR, for girls in local middle schools. The purpose of the Summit is to engage a diverse group of young women from Berks County in a meaningful dialogue that will: expand their developmental assets, cultivate their leadership skills, and empower them to make a difference in their community through civic engagement and the creation of a community project.
At the end of the two-day Summit, the young women will have identified their personal strengths, defined an area of need within the community, and have completed a service learning project to positively impact their community. This process will move these young women away from being objects of programs towards being the creators of a resource to positively impact their community.
Thank you to our 2026 Young Women’s Summit Title Sponsor
Menstrual Equity
The Junior League of Reading focuses on equal and comprehensive access to menstrual hygiene products, and to the right to education about reproductive health, which both removes barriers to care and reduces stigma surrounding it. The organization is working to ensure that menstrual products are safe, affordable, and available to all people who menstruate in our area.
Help us end Period Poverty in Berks! DONATE HERE
- Learn More -
Let’s Talk, Period
Thank you for a great Let’s Talk, Period 2026 event.
This judgment-free, stigma-breaking event brings real medical pros together for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about puberty and periods.
It’s all about giving you the facts, boosting your confidence, and sharing tips to help you feel strong, informed, and ready for the next chapter of growing up.
Target Audience: 3rd to 8th grade students and a trusted adult or chaperone.
All youth registrants will receive a period pampering kit.
Light refreshments will be served.
At the event, we will be collecting new and gently used bras of all sizes and styles to distribute to local agencies that support those in need.
2026: February 21st, 2026
Saturday, February 21
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check-in 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
Sullivan Auditorium
1025 Old Wyomissing Road
Reading, PA 19611
FREE EVENT
Registration required.
Space is limited.
Sustainers Grant
Congratulations to the 2026 JLR Sustainers Grant Award Recipients:
$3,000 Connections Work
$2,000 Reading Science Center
$1,600 Girls on the Run
$3,000 Opportunity House
$2,500 VOICEup Berks
$2,500 Berks Youth Chorus
$1,500 Reading Symphony Orchestra
$500 Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center
JLR Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Award Winner, Amy Tran!
This fall, Amy is taking her incredible drive to the University of Pennsylvania, where she will study neuroscience on the pre-med track. Currently interning at Reading Hospital, Amy’s ultimate dream is to return home to Berks County to practice medicine as a physician—giving right back to the community that shaped her.
Amy, we are incredibly proud to support your bright future. Congratulations!
Lean in Girls
Lean In Girls is a leadership program that helps girls see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they’re not.
Lean In Girls is a free, multi-session curriculum designed for ages 11 to 15. The curriculum teaches girls to embrace their leadership superpowers and reject limiting stereotypes. Girls who participate in the program report they discover more about themselves, learn there are lots of ways to lead, feel more confident in their abilities, and build strong connections with each other.
Sign up HERE
- Learn More -Community Impact
With a focus on the emotional health of youth, the Junior League of Reading’s Youth Empowered program seeks to improve the self-esteem of our youth and empower them to become leaders in our community.
Our strategies include:
- Increasing access to leadership programs and opportunities
- Providing educational forums on issues affecting the development of positive self-esteem
- Increasing opportunities for empowerment through youth volunteer service
- Expanding our menstrual equity program to reach a wider audience and address more community needs
Young Women’s Summit
A Weekend to Grow, Connect, and Lead
The Junior League of Reading’s Young Women’s Summit is a free, interactive weekend experience designed just for middle school girls in Berks County.
Through hands-on activities, small-group conversations, and inspiring workshops, participants will:
• Build confidence and leadership skills
• Connect with other girls from across the county
• Learn how to use their voice and make a difference
• Explore mental health, empathy, and self-care in age-appropriate ways
• Have fun in a supportive, welcoming environment
Girls can attend one of two weekends, February 28 or March 7, participation is completely FREE.
This program is led by trained Junior League volunteers and community partners who are passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders.
2026 Young Women’s Summit
The JLR’s Young Women’s Summit is a two-day workshop, facilitated by the members of JLR, for girls in local middle schools. The purpose of the Summit is to engage a diverse group of young women from Berks County in a meaningful dialogue that will: expand their developmental assets, cultivate their leadership skills, and empower them to make a difference in their community through civic engagement and the creation of a community project.
At the end of the two-day Summit, the young women will have identified their personal strengths, defined an area of need within the community, and have completed a service learning project to positively impact their community. This process will move these young women away from being objects of programs towards being the creators of a resource to positively impact their community.
Thank you to our 2026 Young Women’s Summit Title Sponsor
Menstrual Equity
The Junior League of Reading focuses on equal and comprehensive access to menstrual hygiene products, and to the right to education about reproductive health, which both removes barriers to care and reduces stigma surrounding it. The organization is working to ensure that menstrual products are safe, affordable, and available to all people who menstruate in our area.
Help us end Period Poverty in Berks! DONATE HERE
- Learn More -
Let’s Talk, Period
Thank you for a great Let’s Talk, Period 2026 event.
This judgment-free, stigma-breaking event brings real medical pros together for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about puberty and periods.
It’s all about giving you the facts, boosting your confidence, and sharing tips to help you feel strong, informed, and ready for the next chapter of growing up.
Target Audience: 3rd to 8th grade students and a trusted adult or chaperone.
All youth registrants will receive a period pampering kit.
Light refreshments will be served.
At the event, we will be collecting new and gently used bras of all sizes and styles to distribute to local agencies that support those in need.
2026: February 21st, 2026
Saturday, February 21
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check-in 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
Sullivan Auditorium
1025 Old Wyomissing Road
Reading, PA 19611
FREE EVENT
Registration required.
Space is limited.
Sustainers Grant
Congratulations to the 2026 JLR Sustainers Grant Award Recipients:
$3,000 Connections Work
$2,000 Reading Science Center
$1,600 Girls on the Run
$3,000 Opportunity House
$2,500 VOICEup Berks
$2,500 Berks Youth Chorus
$1,500 Reading Symphony Orchestra
$500 Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center
JLR Scholarship
Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Award Winner, Amy Tran!
This fall, Amy is taking her incredible drive to the University of Pennsylvania, where she will study neuroscience on the pre-med track. Currently interning at Reading Hospital, Amy’s ultimate dream is to return home to Berks County to practice medicine as a physician—giving right back to the community that shaped her.
Amy, we are incredibly proud to support your bright future. Congratulations!
Lean in Girls
Lean In Girls is a leadership program that helps girls see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they’re not.
Lean In Girls is a free, multi-session curriculum designed for ages 11 to 15. The curriculum teaches girls to embrace their leadership superpowers and reject limiting stereotypes. Girls who participate in the program report they discover more about themselves, learn there are lots of ways to lead, feel more confident in their abilities, and build strong connections with each other.
Sign up HERE
- Learn More -Events
The Junior League of Reading’s members devote countless hours to planning and volunteering at our annual community events.
JLR Bingo ~ Sunday November 2, 2025
Let’s Talk, Period ~ February 21, 2026
Young Women’s Summit ~ February 28th & March 1st; March 7th & March 8th 2026
Touch a Truck ~ Sunday May 3, 2026
Events
The Junior League of Reading’s members devote countless hours to planning and volunteering at our annual community events.
JLR Bingo ~ Sunday November 2, 2025
Let’s Talk, Period ~ February 21, 2026
Young Women’s Summit ~ February 28th & March 1st; March 7th & March 8th 2026
Touch a Truck ~ Sunday May 3, 2026
