Over its nearly 70-year history the JLS has researched community needs and created programs and projects that addressed those needs. From literacy programs to youth shelters, back-to-school events and dozens of community assistance Done-in-a-Day projects, the League has been at the forefront of improving the lives of Sarasota residents.

Today, the Junior League of Sarasota connects nearly 700 members to our community to act on tough issues and create impactful change – continuing its focus on women and children in Sarasota.

• 1957Established

  The Junior Welfare League of Sarasota (JWL)

  
  The Junior Welfare League (JWL) of Sarasota was chartered on May 10, 1957. More than 75 women joined the newly created organization with the ultimate goal of meeting the national Junior League standards. 

   All members were completing their Provisional requirements while simultaneously working on the League’s inaugural community service project—the Library Shut-in Service—delivering books to the homebound. That first project lasted 20 years!

• 1962

  The Sarasota Day Nursery

  

  JLS Project | Sarasota Day Nursery

  Our early years were filled with a variety of projects, many of which are still in existence today. The Sarasota Day Nursery, a daycare service for working mothers, opened its doors in April 1962. The agency, now a separate non-profit organization known as Children First, continues to serve at-risk preschool children and families.

• 1971

  The Traveling Suitcase Museum

  

  JLS Traveling Suitcase Museum

  The Traveling Suitcase Museum (later named the Pioneer Program) was created in 1971. League volunteers went to schools to present programs based on local history. This project eventually evolved into a community collaboration that in 1982 became Historic Spanish Point.

• 1976AJLI

  Junior League of Sarasota

  The Junior Welfare League of Sarasota received official notice of acceptance into The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), and became the Junior League of Sarasota (JLS)!

• 1977

  Tour of Homes

  The Holiday Tour of Homes begins. This community favorite was a major fundraiser for the League, lasting over 30 years. In 2011 the tour is rebranded as the Simply Sarasota Tour of Homes and continues today to be a highly anticipated annual event in SRQ.

• 1980Golden Gavel Award

  Partnerships and Alliances Linking Schools

  In 1980, the Junior League of Sarasota established a county‐wide program called Partnerships and Alliances Linking Schools (PALS) to recruit, train and recognize volunteers for Sarasota County Schools. JLS funded the program with financial support from United First Federal Savings and Loan and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. The League managed the program for three years. During the 1982–83 academic year, JLS turned PALS over to the school district.

  Today the county-wide program—now known as the Volunteer and Partnership Office—recruits, trains, and recognizes thousands of volunteers who tutor students, mentor children, chaperone field trips, work in school offices, plant gardens, and more.

  The PALS project earned the League the Sarasota Herald‐Tribune’s Golden Gavel Award in 1982 for best overall community project.

• 1987Golden Gavel Award

  Teen Court

  

  1976 in front of court house

  Teen Court, another Golden Gavel Award winner, was established in 1987. This was the first project in Florida created to offer juvenile offenders an opportunity to be judged by their peers. Teen Court, now operating as an independent non-profit, continues to provide alternatives to incarceration for at-risk young people and is noted as a model prevention program by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

• 1998Golden Gavel Award

  Twin Lakes Parks

  In 1998, the League received its third Golden Gavel, for outstanding community project, for the creation of the first wheelchair-accessible playground at Twin Lakes Parks, part of a multi-year JLS initiative to restore five Sarasota County parks.

• 1990s

  Newtown Library

  For five years, JLS supports the Newtown Library with materials and programs for children.

• 2000s50 years!

  Making a Difference

  A multi-year partnership with schools helps improve reading skills of thousands of children. JLS Celebrates 50 years of community service. The Prevention of Child Abuse launches multiple awareness campaigns and a new playground at the Child Advocacy Center. The Simply Sarasota cookbook is published.

• 2010s

  Hunger Outreach Focus

  

  Kids in the Kitchen Program

  The focus initiative of Nutrition creates programs including Kids in the Kitchen, leading to a multi-year Hunger Outreach initiative. Thousands are fed and educated. The JLS Endowment Fund reaches $1 million. The fourth cookbook, Simply Sarasota Creating Casual Cuisine publishes in 2018.

• 2020sTODAY

  Aging out of Foster Care

  

  DEIB Committee

  Aging Out of Foster Care is selected as the next signature focus to help teens and young adults transitioning out of foster care.

  JLS embraces Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) as a priority, launching membership trainings and awareness campaigns.