Thank you for visiting our Junior League of San Jose tree at Christmas in the Park!

Can you find all the special ornaments on our tree? When you do, click on the corresponding link to learn more about what they represent!

Globe – Our Vision – The Junior League: Women Around the World as Catalysts for Lasting Community Change.

Coffeepot – We are Volunteers – We need to keep up our energy as Junior League members are dedicated volunteers in our community! Last year we welcomed 13 New Members, had 30+ League Leaders, held 14 League Social events, 6 League Community events, and 13 Development/Training opportunities. Many of the Junior League of San Jose’s members also have gone on to serve in leadership positions on nonprofit organization boards throughout Santa Clara County and California. That’s a lot of cups of coffee keeping us going!

Graduation Cap – Our Impact to the Community -Junior League of San Jose (JLSJ) utilizes an Issue-Based Community Impact (IBCI) model, which directs all League volunteer efforts towards JLSJ’s community focus: transitional age foster youth (TAY) and helping foster youth successfully transition out of foster care. 

NATIONAL STATISTICS:

• 93% of foster youth want to attend college but only 4% obtain a bachelor’s degree – CA College Pathways

BY AGE 20:

• 50% dropout of high school – National Foster Youth Institute
• 20% are homeless – National Foster Youth Institute
• 65% of former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 24 are unemployed as a result of the pandemic, with half of those unable to receive unemployment insurance –  Foster Club

JLSJ is focusing our efforts on this community and addressing the complex and intense issues they face by helping to change the statistics. Our Members engage with our community focus in a variety of capacities. JLSJ engages the TAY community through volunteer activities, partnering with organizations in the TAY community, and providing grants to organizations working with TAY.  In 2021, JLSJ partnered with inspirational non-profits like Bill Wilson Center – The Hub, First Place for Youth, Pivotal, and Child Advocates of Silicon Valley in both a funding and volunteer capacity as our 2021 Community Impact grant recipients.

Crossword puzzle – Trivia Challenge – Join us for our Spring Fundraiser event: the Silicon Valley Trivia Challenge on March 16, 2023 at Shepard and Sims in Los Gatos

Wheelchair – JLSJ is a proud supporter of the Magical Bridge Park in Morgan Hill. The co-founders of this inclusive playground are Ron & Shirlee Locicero, the parents of our Junior League of San Jose Past President, Marsha Locicero. Ron and Shirlee were JLSJ Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Crystal Bowl Winners as well as recipients of a $30,000 grant in 2016 from JLSJ in support of a “magical” harp at the Magical Bridge Park. Through partnerships with the County of Santa Clara, multiple other community organizations, and the support of the community, this park welcomes residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. It will be a place where everyone feels welcome. It’s the first inclusive playground in the stretch between San Jose and Salinas and is expected to welcome 20,000+ visitors a year.

Baseball – JLSJ at the San Jose Giants Game JLSJ loves San Jose! This past summer we had a League night at the San Jose Giants and President Bossenbroek had a blast throwing out the first pitch! 

Starburst – Wonder Cabinet at the Children’s Discovery Museum (2005-2009) The League was a visionary partner of the Wonder Cabinet, along with First 5 Santa Clara County and United Way of Silicon Valley Success by 6. JLSJ volunteers served as play and learning facilitators in the art, literacy and infant areas of The Wonder Cabinet exhibit space. Additionally, League members designed the traveling Wonder Quilt to expand the outreach of the exhibit and attract new audiences to the early childhood initiative taking place in the Children’s Discovery Museum and Wonder Cabinet space.

Apple slice – Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) (2011-2017) KITK is an AJLI initiative to empower children and their parents to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity. The League partners with local agencies and puts on a variety of programs, projects, and events throughout the year. Programs include “Rethink Your Drink” and “Sugar Savvy” trainings with Kaiser Permanente and “Eat the Rainbow” campaign partnering with Sunday Friends, teaching children and their parents the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.

Kid in sweater –Rummage Sale (1968-2019) Since 1968, the Rummage Sale has raised over $1,000,000 for JLSJ’s Community Program. The Rummage Sale is known for its high quality merchandise and outstanding prices. It takes place biennially at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and serves an estimated 10,000 under-served families. JLSJ also holds a free Community Health and Services Fair where community members can receive certain health screenings, services range from legal to transportation, and receive information on healthy eating, dental care, and more.