Our Mission

The Junior League of Reading is an organization whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Our Vision

Women around the world acting as catalysts for lasting community change.

Our Focus

The trained volunteers of The Junior League of Reading, PA, Inc. are focused on empowering youth by creating, improving, and expanding the resources and opportunities available for their growth, development and overall welfare, so they can become stewards of leadership in their communities.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities.

Who
are
we
?

The Junior League of Reading, PA, Inc. (JLR) has been a leader in volunteer service in Berks County for 100 years! Today, nearly 300 members from every corner of Berks County pledge their support to the League’s mission. The JLR trains women to be effective leaders in the community through seminars, national conferences, and hands-on training in personal and leadership development, organizational management, and community impact.

JLR is part of an international organization, The Association of Junior Leagues International, which has over 295 Junior Leagues throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

 

What
we
do
!

Our goals are to improve the self-esteem of youth and empower our youth to become community  leaders. We achieve this by increasing access to leadership development programs, increasing awareness of issues affecting the development of positive self-esteem and increasing opportunities for empowerment through youth volunteer service.

Our current programming includes:

  • Young Women’s Summit: a two-day summit designed to empower middle school girls to be community leaders
  • Touch-A-Truck: a community event providing family fun and education to over 2,000 men, women and children
  • Community Connections Club (formerly known as Service Saturdays): done-in-a-day service learning projects with young women at Olivet Boys and Girls Club
  • Educational forums, community documentary screenings and panel discussions impacting over 500 men, women and children

Our efforts over the last year alone have impacted over 2,000 children and empowered over 100 women leaders!

Our Legacy

Organizations and programs that were founded or substantially assisted by the Junior League of Reading and collaborative partners include: Leadership Berks, Opportunity House, Children’s Alliance Center, BEACON House, Emma’s Place, Second Street Learning Center, Safe Berks (formerly BWIC), VOiCEup and the Young Women’s Summit

Our Members

The Junior League of Reading has 84 active members and 153 sustaining members.  Our membership consists of business owners, professional women, working mothers, and stay-at-home moms who devote countless hours to help improve our community.

– Learn About Becoming a Member –

Board of Directors

The Junior League Board of Directors are responsible for the governance and management of the League. They directly plan and oversee the effectiveness of the League’s programs, promote the achievement of established goals, and further the work and impact of the League.

 

Lynsay Ladany

President

“I was new to the area and wanted to meet new people as well as get to know the surrounding area and volunteer. I believe in our mission and want to continue to move JLR forward in a positive way for our membership and our community.  JLR is important to me because it is an organization of strong women that are committed to improving the community around them as well as themselves. We are instilling leadership and volunteerism to the next leaders through our youth empowerment initiative- and that’s an amazing thing to watch.”

 

Alyssa Redding

President Elect

“I became a member of The Junior League of Reading to give back to the Berks County community, to empower young women, and to learn from the amazing women who are JLR members. My favorite memory from The Junior League of Reading is Fall Fest 2018.”

Jenna Hiester

President Elect Elect

‘I joined JLR to be a part of something bigger than myself. I love working with so many amazing women with diverse talents and backgrounds to achieve lasting change in our community. I truly believe in the positive impact of our League’s mission of Youth Empowerment. I am thankful to learn more about effective leadership and programming from mentors I am now lucky to call friends.’

Becky Doutrich

Secretary

‘I am a member of the Junior League of Reading to connect with like-minded women and be a positive part of our community.’

Caroline Hill

Treasurer

Coming soon

Melody Walley

Member at Large

‘I love being part of an organization that empowers women to take on leadership roles and have an impact on our communities. Through my time with JLR I have learned skills that have helped me grow personally as well as professionally, and made lasting friendships with amazing and inspirational women!’

Sharon Phillips

Sustainer Representative

‘I am a member of JLR to collaborate with women who want to improve their community. I am looking forward to being a member of the Board of Directors.’

Meg Fisher Valente

DEIB Vice President

‘The Junior League of Reading offers me an opportunity to engage in the community of Berks County in ways that are meaningful to me personally, but also in ways that I believe positively impact the leadership skills of women who genuinely wish to make a difference towards positive impact and change.’

Steph Fenicle

Community Council Vice President

‘Community service is very important to me and the JLR provides many opportunities for me to get involved. We work with many different types of organizations and do many different kinds of work so I am able to get a better understanding of what is going on where I live and where the need is. I have learned so much through these projects and the people I have met along the way. It is also important to me that my children see this involvement so they too will be inspired to give their time in meaningful ways. ‘

Christina Yatron

Financial Resources Council Vice President

‘The Junior League of Reading provides me and many other women with the great opportunity to advance our professional and leadership skills and build amazing friendships all while giving back to our community through volunteer work.’

Jeanette Fotis

Membership Council Vice President

‘JLR began for me as a way to learn about multiple community partners & services quickly – & – I quickly realized my niche in facilitating empowerment, communication, self confidence & connection through improv could be put to good use for the youth served by league as well as the grown ups serving.’

Active Members

Our 84 active members donate 355+ hours per year in community service at a value of over $10,130. These hours include 30+ volunteer events such as Girls on the Run 5K, Thanksgiving dinner and Community Connections Club at Olivet Boys and Girls Club, and Young Women’s Summit.

Sustaining Members

Our Sustaining Members continue to support the Junior League mission.  Since June of 2008 Sustaining Members have donated over $84K to not-for-profit organizations that support children’s issues within Berks County.  In addition to financial support, members volunteer at Done in a Day projects  that support initiatives such as JLR’s Young Women’s Summit and various not-for-profits within Berks County.  While volunteering can keep us busy, we do enjoy time together at book clubs, luncheons, dinners, happy hours and issues trips.