Hallmarks of our History

During our long history in central New York, the Junior League of Syracuse has made a demonstrable impact within our community, developing original programs and collaborating with area not-for-profits to address issues including education, child and family wellness, domestic violence, and child abuse.

2020-Present

  • Awarded Boeheim Foundation Grant to form and begin Literacy and Nutrition courses for our partners at the Boys and Girls Club and the Northside CYO
  • Built and installed 3 Little Free Libraries in partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority
Completed 100 Year Anniversary Signature Projects to highlight important community partnerships over the years.
Projects included partnerships with:
  • Sleep In Heavenly Peace
  • The Rescue Mission
  • Access CNY
  • CNY Diaper Bank
  • Vera House
  • Girls on the Go (YWCA)
  • On Point for College
  • PEACE Inc.

 

  • Continued partnerships to provide volunteers for The Samaritan Center, Food Bank, We Rise Above the Streets, the YWCA

 

2019-2020

  • In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. the league is partnering with organizations from it’s past 100 years to create projects that will benefit these organizations and provide opportunities for collaboration with the League to further it’s mission, as envisioned by League Founder Mary Harriman.

2010s

  • Formalized partnership with Chadwick Residence through an MOU in
    2018 to build on the previous collaboration include the introduction of nutritional and financial literacy classes.
  • Advocating on the issue of human trafficking
  • Developed annual STEM Expo (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Expo for students of Danforth Middle School in Syracuse, NY, now entering its 8th year
  • Educated families from the Southwest Community Center
  • Worked with refugee families at Catholic CharitiesNorthside CYO
  • Raised awareness of child abuse through the planting of pinwheel gardens throughout our community

2000s

  • Donated funding and decorated playroom for McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site (now Center)
  • Began the Jerridith Wilson Leadership and Development Fund for member training
  • Redesigned and re-launched Silent Witness as a workplace domestic violence awareness exhibit, now under the operation of Vera House
  • Hosted first annual Silent Witness Walk to end domestic violence
  • Developed “A Child’s Voice” project in partnership with McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Site (now Center) to address issues of child abuse

1990s

  • Held immunization days for city school children; developed education days parenting seminars, which are still offered today
  • Developed the Silent Witness domestic violence awareness exhibit
  • Developed the “Baby Think it Over” project to help prevent teenage pregnancy
  • Started the Project W.H.A.L.E. collection and donation program for community agencies
  • Participated in Millennium Project for Fire Safety Prevention and Education

1980s

  • Worked with the Department of Social Services to establish a Cooperative Review Panel to evaluate the needs of children in foster care
  • Developed and presented a public awareness campaign, “What are our children watching?”
  • Donated funds to the Burnet Park Zoo (now Rosamond Gifford Zoo) education and wildlife conservation program
  • CONTACT Syracuse for development of an after-school program help line
  • Volunteer Connection for a multimedia based program to recruit volunteers

1970s

  • Donated funds toward:
    • The purchase of a home for the Directions and Education in Narcotics Halfway House for Women
    • The expansion of the Brighton Family Center
    • Children’s programming at the Onondaga Civic Center
    • The director’s salary at the Discovery Center (now, The MOST)

1960s

  • Donated funds toward:
    • The funding of a slide library at the Everson Museum of Art
    • The salary of a secretary for Directions and Education in Narcotics and the Everson Museum of Art Curator of Research and Information
    • A craft mobile for ethnic arts and crafts for the inner city
    • The funding of Home Aides of Central New York

1950s

  • Helped the Everson Museum of Art open an art shop
  • Provided docents for the Everson Museum
  • Donated Funds toward:
    • An obstetrical office at Community Hospital
    • The salary of a secretary at the Council on Aging
    • A teaching specialist at Illingsworth Nursery School for the Blind Child
    • A caseworker for the “Multi-Problem Family Project” at Huntington Family Center

1940s

  • Sponsored art classes for children at the Everson Museum of Art
  • Funded school concerts for children

1930s

  • Started the Christmas Toy Fund
  • Founded the Volunteer Center
  • Provided financial support for programming of the Council of Social Agencies

1920s

  • Started the first prenatal clinic in Syracuse
  • Coordinated in-school nutrition classes
  • Assumed management of Camp Hillcrest convalescent home for children