1929
The Summit Junior Service League was founded with 25 charter members.
1930 – 1935
Projects adopted were: Motor Corps, Summit Home for Children, and Red Cross. There was a deep interest in child labor laws and the Juvenile Courts. The Thrift Shop located on Springfield Avenue was acquired from the Cooperative Service Association (Family Service) in 1933 and became the permanent ways and means project. An application to join A.J.L.A. was turned down as all small town service Leagues were excluded.
1935 – 1940
The era saw the beginning of Inklings, the first Sustainer tea for the New Members and a total membership of 93. The first use of in-hospital volunteers was started by the League at Overlook Hospital. Other activities included support of a W.P.A. nursery school, children's entertainment at the high school and lectures on current events.
1940 - 1945
The war years saw the majority of the members working for the Red Cross, Overlook and the U.S.O. Chaperones and refreshments were provided for dances at Camp Kilmer, and Anzac and Canadian servicemen were placed in weekend homes. As a result of a Provisional class study, a Mental Hygiene Clinic was established.
1945 - 1950
Overlook Hospital was the recipient of the majority of the League's efforts. A "Citizens Committee for the Better Overlook" was backed, funds were raised for the hospital, and a committee for student nurse recruitment was active and successful. The Thrift Shop moved to Beechwood Road, which proved to be unsatisfactory.
1950 - 1955
The Consignment Shop opened and was staffed by Sustainers. In 1951, both Shops moved to a house at 37 DeForest Avenue purchased by the League, and business boomed. A series of children's concerts, "Music for Fun," was begun and the League co-sponsored the Spring Mental Health drive. A special contribution to the SAGE-sponsored Homemaker Service was given and financial, administrative and volunteer assistance was given to the newly formed Summit Child Care Center, Inc. Total membership, 227.
1955 - 1960
The Child Care Center continued to be the main project. The down payment for the house on Woodland Avenue was provided along with monthly payments for fixed operating costs. In 1959, the membership voted to pay off the mortgage over a three-year period. Also in 1959, the Junior Service League officially merged with the Junior League of Morristown and became the Summit Unit. This merger produced the largest league in New Jersey and one of the larger leagues in the Association.
1960 - 1965
Efforts were undertaken for the Unit to become independent and a member of A.J.L.A. The projects offered a variety of placement opportunities; reading help in elementary schools, Y.E.S., Y.W.C.A. Summer Enrichment Program, Summit Free Library, Runnells Hospital and a pilot project with Family Service for preventive counseling for public school children. The League was a catalyst in the forming of a Volunteer First Aid Squad and provided funds for the purchase of an ambulance.
1965 - 1970
The Unit became the Junior League of Summit, Inc. in the spring of 1965 with a total membership of 405. The Shops were netting $20,000 and profits helped support many projects; establishment of the Summit Speech School, the Santa Claus Shop, music and art appreciation series and a hearing-screening program for pre-school children, support of educational TV, the psychiatric clinic at Overlook, and Meals on Wheels and expansion of the Summit Neighborhood Council Pre-school program.
1970 - 1975
Projects in drug abuse, social work for Spanish and low income families, Outreach Clinic at Overlook, Grantsmanship, Teen Arts, Human Growth, Education, Video-taping, Cerebral Palsy and Day Care characterized the first half of this decade. Joan Bristol was elected AJLI Director of Area I. The League studied trends through Needs Assessment surveys, American Social problems, and Management and Career Development.
1975 - 1980
Response to changing membership patterns included consolidation of committees and expenses and increased awareness of working members needs. Training was emphasized internally with introduction of VCD and Advocacy skills, and MBO was implemented as the major program planning tool; community training culminated in "The Management Challenge: Key to Successful Grants Seeking", a model program for social service agencies. Projects were undertaken in conjunction with Barrett House, SAGE, the Summit Art Center, Summit Historical Society, Overlook Hospital, Summit Child Care Center, Summit Speech School, Neighborhood Council and the Summit Board of Education. The Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Jaws of Life, and New Jersey Youth Symphony were funded by the Junior League of Summit, and an NTIA federal planning grant to study the feasibility of a community video access center was received. Community Grants in many areas we reemphasized and proved highly successful in enabling League Members to enhance the impact of their Community Work.
1980 – 1985
The JLS responded to management change, financial growth and community dialogue. The Board implemented a Council system and its administrative Membership requirements were updated. Training continued to be an important area of focus within the JLS and the community. The JLS was computerized, which helped modernize our procedures. The Thrift Shop was renovated, the costume department became the Costume Corner and revenues soared! The JLS continued to support the Human Relations project in Summit schools, the Summit Speech School, N.J. Youth Symphony, Communities on Cable, the Speaker's Bureau for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, the Child Life Play Therapy program at Overlook Hospital, Family Service Association, Senior Citizens and Substance Abuse concerns, the Summit Art Center, the Family Focus Speaker's Bureau, the Garden State Ballet, SHARING, the Community Food Bank, Vest-A-Cop, St. John's Community Pre-School, the Historical Society of Berkeley Heights, Summit Area Community Concerts, Summit Area Community Council, League of Women Voters, the Resource Center for Women, Reeves‑Reed Arboretum, Children's Specialized Hospital, Summit Child Care Center, Summit Historical Society and the Summit Symphony. The JLS established the Coffee Shop for the Senior Citizens' Housing Development, an Executive Director for COC, a playground for St. John's Community Pre-School, a Pre-School Orientation project at Overlook Hospital, a Teen Director at the Summit YWCA, a Senior Citizens Transportation System and our own singing group, the LARKS, was reorganized under professional direction. The Video Committee produced From Teaneck to Tokyo, the Arts Committee established a Story Telling project, and the Senior Citizens and Youth Development Task Forces presented projects and programs. We carried on a fifty-year tradition of service to our communities.
1985 – 1990
The JLS illustrated a strong commitment to women's issues, children, substance abuse, the homeless and the environment. Due to the hard work of the membership and increasing revenues from our Shops, the JLS was able to support the following organizations in the surrounding communities: Adult Literacy Program of Union County; American Red Cross; Art in the Classroom; Association for Retarded Citizens; Berkeley Heights Historical Society; Berkeley Heights/New Providence YMCA; Cheshire Home in Florham Park; Chicago Children's Choir; Children's Specialized Hospital; Close Up; Community Food Bank; Community Pre-School at St. John's; Congregational Hospitality Network of the Interfaith Council for the Homeless of Union County; Educational Cable Consortium; Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless; Family Service Association; First Sparks; Friend/Advocate Program of the Community Health Law Project in Union County; Girl Scout Council of Greater Essex County; Governor Livingston High School; Jaws of Life; Kids on the Block; League of Women Voters; Mayor's Task Force on Substance Abuse; New Jersey Youth Symphony; New Providence High School; New Providence Historical Society; Our House; Overlook Hospital Parents Day Program; Project Graduation; Resource Center for Women; Reeves‑Reed Arboretum; SAGE; "Second Floor"; Senior Connections; SHARING; Suburban Community Music Center; Summit Area Community School; Summit Area YMCA; Summit Child Care Centers; Summit Historical Society; Summit Speech School; Summit Symphony; Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad; Summit's Parent Education Committee; Teen Arts Festival; Teen Institute of the Garden State; TV‑36; Westlake School; Winston School. Senior Connections developed from a Provisional Project to a fixture in the Summit community. Larks was reinstated, there was an increased involvement with SPAC, and an Environmental Task Force was created and became a committee. The Costume Shop expanded and moved to the Hillview School in New Providence. All three Shops saw long-term managers retire. The JLS took stock in its members and provided Volunteer Skills Portfolio and Women Time Management training to the membership. An OSA for future planning of our own needs was developed and results implemented. The JLS residency requirement was eliminated, and self‑submission for membership became available. A Scholarship Committee was formed, awarding scholarships to high school seniors based on volunteerism. A Tribute Fund was established. A President's Award acknowledging one Active and one Sustainer each year was instituted. Placement Projects were developed and implemented: Woman to Woman, Calls From the Heart, building a handicap-accessible playground at Memorial Field, Home Safe Home environmental house tour. An annual Community Newsletter informing the public about JLS activities was initiated and published. Provisionals planned and executed a year-long 60th birthday celebration for JLS. Shirley Keeney retired as the quintessential Office Manager after 25 years of dedication and support of all JLS members.
1990 - 1995
The highlight of this period was the membership's selection of a focus area, "Building the Next Generation." It channeled our energy into the communities of Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence and Summit, working on projects to benefit children and adolescents. The decision was made after significant research and discussions with community members guided by the Focusing Task Force. We also looked to the future through the prism of a new strategic plan, JLS 2000, created to guide all of our efforts for the next several years. Other accomplishments included the creation of "Mission Accomplished," a committee to complete immediate, hands-on projects to answer specific community needs. Other new projects included "Kids on the Block" (formerly "Caring Kids"), which reached hundreds of schoolchildren with puppet shows teaching tolerance for others who may be different; "Peace Camps," teaching conflict resolution skills to children; and a two-year commitment to fund and refurbish Summit's Mabie Playground. Also, the administrative offices were updated and new computers and office equipment installed for office staff and the Shops. Bylaws were changed to fine-tune the structure of the League and to make the age requirement simply a minimum of 21 years. The Shops Task Force secured new quarters for the Costume Shop at the JLOSH offices in Millburn. In 1994-95, we celebrated 65 years of service and re-dedicated ourselves to serving as community activists and catalysts for positive change. As always, we continued our support of deserving groups in our community with funding from our Community Grants and Mini Grants.
1995 – 2000
Throughout these years, the JLS continued to support its Building the Next Generation policy statement through direct service, financial support, advocacy and training opportunities. The JLS touched the lives of hundreds of families and thousands of children in our communities through Domestic Violence Awareness, Kids on the Block, Larks, Mission Accomplished, Orphans of AIDS, Parent Education Program, Peace Camps, Transitional Housing and the completion of the Mabie Memorial Playground. In addition, the JLS was also able to support many community organizations through varied projects and grants including AIDS Resource Foundation, the City of Summit Department of Youth Services, The Connection for Women and Families, Jefferson School, Morris-Union Jointure Developmental Learning Center, S.H.I.P., Summit Child Care Centers, Summit Middle School and the Summit Municipal Alliance Teen Board. The New Jersey State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) changed its emphasis from research to advocacy, and found this a more effective means for representing women’s and children’s interests. The JLS began to use e-mail and these years saw the initial development of the JLS website. We also considered the needs of our own volunteers, as it had become clear that women have less time to spare, yet have a strong desire to make a difference in their community. The Board worked to ensure a more flexible and welcoming environment, through baby-sitting services, flexible volunteer hours and options of short-term, worthwhile hands-on projects. Through a generous gift, the JLS initiated The Jean Hudson Gano Community Service Award, with the Summit YWCA the first recipient. And, in the year 2000, the JLS celebrated its 70th anniversary in many ways! The Community Project Endowment Fund was established to ensure that the JLS will always be able to support its projects in the future and we hosted an anniversary fundraiser – Celebration 2000 – that raised $20,000. JLS members also marched with pride in the Summit Centennial Parade honoring 100 years of voluntarism in Summit. The JLS 70th anniversary and the year 2000 provided an opportunity for our members to reconnect with our past and prepare for our future.
2000 – 2005
This five year period began with the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of the Junior League, the International Year of the Volunteer, and the honor of the JLS being selected as the Outstanding Community Organization in Philanthropy by the NJ Chapter of Fundraising Executives. The JLS also dedicated these years to many projects and internal improvements. The most notable project was the SAFE Home Project, which began in 2000 with the sponsorship and support of a mother and her two children who were homeless as a result of domestic violence. Support for the project grew and in 2002 the JLS purchased a home for women and children who need to start their lives over in a safe haven. The Safe Home Advisory Council was formed to oversee the home. In 2003 our first transitional family moved into the home, and was supported by the Interfaith Council, a consistent JLS Home Visitor, and the SAFE Home project members. By 2004 the JLS graduated the first SAFE Home family. Other significant projects included the renovation of the Thrift and Consignment Shops, the addition of a professional retail manager the Thrift Shop, the creation of the Corporate Initiatives Committee, and The Walk for Remembrance following the devastation of 9/11. Internal improvements included the revision of “Volunteer Placement” to place more of a priority on projects that support our Mission, the creation of a new JLS logo which includes the tagline, “Women Building Better Communities,” the creation of an interactive website, and reaching our Endowment Fund threshold goal. Lastly, we celebrated our 75th birthday by highlighting 75 years of our growth and active service in our communities.
2005 – 2006
During 2005-06 the JLS focused on being mission driven near (our service area) and far (Monroe, LA)! In addition to being able to articulate the mission, we also revised our focus: The JLS is focused on advancing the interests of children and families in and around the communities of Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence and Summit, New Jersey. Even our Provisionals tied their final presentation right back to our mission; their project, bringing the Special Olympics of NJ to The Connection, was incredibly successful and inspiring!
The Thrift Shop had its best year ever and the retirement of our long time and dedicated Costume Shop Manager gave us the impetus to think about closing the Costume Shop. The Shop now accepts credit cards and we introduced gift certificates; our website was significantly enhanced and we also continued to make major improvements to the JLS house. Corporate Initiatives secured $8,700 by seeking out corporate partnerships through events and grants. Project SAFE completed its transition to Home First. Three new projects (Kids CAN, Pediatric Playroom, and Special Olympics) were approved, and we created a fabulous new library for the Summit Speech School; SPAC sponsored a statewide conference on human trafficking and approved legislation for collecting umbilical cord blood to do research.
2006-2007
It is quite impressive to reflect on the people the JLS has impacted throughout this 2006-2007 year (in random order): the general population of women and children by SPAC advocacy, the Red Cross-referred disaster survivors and the economically disadvantaged by our Thrift Shop, the patients and families of Overlook Hospital’s Pediatric Ward by the “Pediatric Playroom Assistance” project and “Done-in-a-Night”, the special needs children by our Special Olympics/”Get Into Our Game” collaboration, the Hurricane Katrina victims by the JLS contingent to New Orleans with AJLI, the elementary school students by Kids on the Block, the JLS members and friends by Training U’s children’s issues presentations, the college-bound volunteers by our Scholarships, the patients of Children’s Specialized Hospital by our Friday Night Fever sponsorship, the Chatham High School Key Club by the collaborative Valerie Fund “Kids CAN” project, the low-income families of Newark by JLS participation in Habitat for Humanity’s “Women Build”, the selected non-profit organizations by our Community Grants, the elderly by LARKS, the critical needs of the area communities at large by the Community Leadership Forum, the residents of Raphael’s Life House by our Provisional project, the area homeless by membership exposure to Family Promise and their Just Neighbors program, the school-age children at risk for childhood obesity by Kids in the Kitchen, the families in need in our communities by “Thanks for Giving Baskets” and Sustainer contributions to SHIP, Bridges, and other area non-profits, the dramatically-inclined of greater New Jersey by our Costume Shop and its transfer to The Gas Lamp Players, friends and families with cancer by our Pathways training, the communities’ “volunteer spirit” by the expanded knowledge of JLS activities, and the future impact of the JLS by donations to the Endowment Fund.
This list does not begin to cover the contributions of dedicated members “behind the scenes” with end results of more satisfied volunteers in the community. This list also could not possibly begin to depict the individual contributions that each of you make in your own way to the other causes about which you are passionate. The community impact of the JLS is quite clear: We are a prominent force for targeting and addressing critical community needs.
2007-2008
The highlight of this year was certainly the efforts of the Emergent Issues Task Force which was charged with educating the membership about current issues facing our communities and to narrow our focus to maximize our community impact. Initially, twelve issues were selected from the Community Roundtable held in May of 2007. These issues were presented to the membership at the September General Membership Meeting. Members then narrowed the issues down to four, including Children’s Safety, Child Abuse and Neglect, Childhood Obesity, and Children’s Substance Abuse. The next four GMMs were dedicated to educating the membership via guest speakers about the issues. Additionally, the JLS hosted an Educational Summit in February, in which the Community Advisors and service area educators were invited to discuss the selected issues. It was at this event that a fifth issue emerged: Youth Technology and Internet Safety. The attendees selected this as the most challenging issue facing the youth in our service area. At the April GMM, the membership reviewed all five issues and overwhelmingly selected Youth Technology and Internet Safety by a landslide vote. For the next three to five years, the JLS will dedicate its efforts to impact this important issue facing our community.
The Board developed a new three-year Strategic Plan and revised the Vision Statement to "The Junior League of Summit, Inc. will be a highly respected force for targeting and impacting critical community needs". We continued to make a significant impact in our community through our project work. Mission Accomplished provided hundreds of bags of food collected from local schools for Thanksgiving. Additionally, they hosted a children’s craft table and toiletry collection site for Homefirst during the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Children’s Specialized Hospital was thrilled once again by the Friday Night Fever carnival event. New this year, JLS members partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build the foundation for a new home in Newark and worked with Girls on the Run, where the JLS assisted over 400 girls complete a 5K run. The Larks continued their long term tradition of singing to the elderly residents in our area and Kids on the Block taught area second graders about learning disabilities, bullying, and physical disabilities through their puppet shows. The Pediatric Playroom project organized holiday parties and treats for Overlook Hospital’s youngest patients. Special needs children enjoyed Get Into Our Game, where JLS members set up a training program to prepare the children for a Special Olympics sporting event.
The Thrift Shop celebrated another successful year and added a new lucrative Accessories event. The Corporate Initiatives team also organized two successful fundraisers, including a shopping night at the October GMM and a Neiman Marcus Spring Accessory event. The Community Assistance Committee gave a record number of scholarships this year, as well as approximately $20,000 in grants. Project Development created a new project for next year called “211” in direct response to the Community Advisor’s request for help disseminating information regarding their services. Many thank yous and congratulations to all of the teams of talented women who made a tremendous impact on our community
2008- 2009
During our first official year with a new JLS Focus Area, Connecting and Protecting Generation TXT, we delved further into work on the important topic of keeping children and our community educated and safe in an Internet world. A new project was developed and adopted by membership that partners the JLS with i-SAFE, a nationally recognized organization with ready-built, out-of-the-box educational components on Internet safety, that will enable the JLS to quickly provide our schools and community partners with education solutions that ensure that our kids and communities are up to speed with technology and how to use it effectively and safely. As well we made an impact this year at MLK Day with interactive sessions focusing on Technology and kids.
The year was also a busy JLS one with our tried and true projects: providing Thanksgiving dinners for those who can’t buy one, entertaining hospital bound kids at Friday Night Fever, bringing nostalgic memories to Seniors with Lark performances of our in-house actors, our Kids on the Block perfomers, who again this year taught kids all over our service area about issues they face in school. We did some new things like the United Way Day of Caring which provided us with a great way to get our hands dirty right here in our own backyards and we invited friends to join us in the fall for our first ever Mission Based Social Event where we learned more about Social Networking. Our Thrift Shop had another great year, even as we braved this not-so-great economic time and that allowed us to grant over $21K to the community with a large percentage going towards technology related requests.
Twenty five fantastic new members joined the JLS that we charged with generating new enthusiasm for our KOB project. From planning two events for the community to soliciting tons of JLS members to perform next year with KOB, this is a group that will make a big impact within the JLS in their active years.
Nominating and Placement, along with other committees such as Advisory Planning and Finance, spent the year making streamlining changes, to allow the JLS to adapt and grow in the future in the most efficient ways, all of those “behind the scene” processes that allow the JLS to be one of the best run leagues around.
With a new and exciting focus for the upcoming year, coupled with our energized membership the year of 2009-2010, and beyond, the JLS will prove to be impactful and beneficial both to the community and our members.
