Mission and Values

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of civic leaders and impacting its community. The nearly 500 women who are members devote thousands of volunteer hours annually towards our mission, resulting in an annual economic impact to our community in excess of $180,000. The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is supported by generous contributions from its members, the public and corporate donors. The organization raises most of the money for its community programming through its fundraisers, while 74% of the management and administrative costs are financed through its Endowment Fund. All endeavors of JLSB have the following guiding mission and values.


Mission Statement

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES BY CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO.

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. 

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting
voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the
effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and
charitable.

The Association of Junior Leagues International

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


Vision Statement

SOCIETY EVOLVES IN THE CARE OF BRAVE AND THOUGHTFUL LEADERS.

The Junior League: Women around the world as catalysts for lasting community change.

The Association Board commends to and expects of the member Leagues, admissions practices which reach out to all young women, regardless of race, color, religion or national origin, who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

All meetings and functions of The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. shall be held at facilities which do not discriminate against women on the basis of sex, race, religion or origin.


Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

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


Position Statements

Position Statement on Aging

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to ensuring that aging and older adults have the opportunities and services essential to optimal physical, intellectual, emotional, mental and social well-being.

Position Statement on Arts

Because of the long -term involvement of The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. in the area of the Arts, this organization promotes and supports the funding of art-related and cultural programs in the Michiana area as well as throughout the State of Indiana.

Position Statement on Children and Adolescents

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to ensuring that children and adolescents have the opportunities and services essential for their physical, intellectual, emotional, mental and social growth and will advocate to ensure that such opportunities and services are provided.

Position Statement on Domestic Violence

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. recognizes that to arrest the increase in the incidence of domestic violence and to stop the intergenerational cycle of abuse, society must understand the problem, act to assist and protect the victims, and attempt to work effectively with the abusers. Therefore, the Junior League of South Bend encourages awareness and education concerning the problem of domestic violence, but also encourages the continued action by the community and the judicial system to aid and protect victims.

Position Statement on Volunteerism

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. supports and promotes volunteerism as an essential component of our society and will continue to take action which will ensure the effectiveness of the voluntary sector.

Position Statement on Women

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. supports the goal of fair and equal economic opportunities for women and will advocate for improving and developing the potential of women.

Position Statement on the Disabled

The Junior League of South Bend is committed to ensuring that the mentally and physically disabled children, youth and adults will have the opportunities and services essential for their physical, intellectual, emotional, mental, vocational and social growth and will advocate to see that such opportunities and services are provided.

Position Statement on Substance Abuse

The Junior League of South Bend,, Inc. recognizes the problem of substance abuse in our communities. We will continue to support those actions and programs which provide preventative education to all individuals and rehabilitation to abusers. We encourage continued support by the community and judicial system regarding substance abuse.

Position Statement on Environment

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to the study of environmental issues and to the continuing education of its members on such issues.

Position Statement on Housing

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to ensuring that the people in the Michiana area have the opportunities and services necessary to provide all involved with decent, safe, and affordable shelter and the JLSB will advocate for and support programs that make these services and opportunities possible.

Position Statement on Education

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to ensuring that all people have access to an education that will provide them with the skills necessary to be productive members of our global society. The JLSB is committed to and will advocate for policies and programs to achieve that goal.

Position Statement on Multicultural Development

The Junior League of South Bend, Inc. is committed to reaching out to women of all races, religions, national origins, ethnicities, and backgrounds who demonstrate an interest in improving their community and the development of women through volunteerism. We welcome diverse perspectives and the development of shared solutions. We support ongoing strategies aimed at promoting a membership reflective of the community-at-large.