On June 11th, 2022, the JLT lent a helping hand to Global Medic as they put together hygiene, family emergency, and emergency food kits for Ukrainian
refugees displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine. These eight JLT members helped assemble 480 kits which include items such as water purification units, hygiene items, solar lights, oral rehydration salts, and more.

On December 4, 2022, the JLT hosted a brunch for the residents of Youth Without Shelter (YWS).  Our “Canadian in Paris “ theme brought a little bit of  France and Canada  together for the youth. The brunch combined the best of both countries with French toast, pancakes, bacon, croissants, jam, whipped cream, fresh fruit, real Canadian maple syrup and of course Tim Hortons coffee and Timbits. The youth were happy to participate and appreciated the special meal.

For this event the members of the JLT were divided into two groups; one group cooked and served the brunch, and the other group organized the shelter’s hygiene closet. This highlighted the reality that these youth come to the shelter without basic necessities that we take for granted such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.  YWS not only provides residents with these basic needs, but also gives them a place to stay where they can feel at home and safe.

It was a great afternoon working with wonderful women of the JLT and served to remind us that helping our community in the simplest way can have a big impact.

On Saturday, March 18th the Junior League of Toronto (JLT) Community Impact Committee sponsored a day at @handuptoronto . Since 2004, Hand Up Toronto has served areas in need across the GTA by distributing care packages including nutritional food and personal hygiene products. In just one morning, JLT volunteers, along with friends and family, delivered care packages to 200 families in need across the GTA!

Food insecurity in the GTA is at an all-time high. With the help of our members, we were able to directly help a number of families, the majority of whom have young children at home, in the span of one morning. It was also wonderful to go out into the community and see the direct positive impact we were able to have on the families served.

Thank you to Hand Up Toronto for welcoming us, and to our members for giving back to the community in true JLT style!

On May 13th, Junior League of Toronto (JLT) members worked with community volunteers to help @flemingdonparkministry prepare their community garden for spring planting. The group moved a large delivery of rich compost to their gardens and spread it on the soil, readying it for planting. The harvest from the planted crops that will be grown will be distributed to members of the community.

Flemingdon Park Ministry was a recipient of a JLT Seed Grant in 2022. Its work focuses on building community through compassionate service and care. It services the Flemingdon Park Community in North York and has programs that bring people together to break barriers of isolation and food insecurity.

     On Sunday, May 28th, over 20 Junior League of Toronto (JLT) members and friends spent the afternoon helping @trailsyouth , one of our long-term community partners, prepare for their summer season. We cut logs, picked up brush, cleaned the beach, stained picnic benches and cleaned out cabins to get them ready for the summer program.

Trails provides life-long, consistent programming for vulnerable youth. Their mission is to challenge and equip vulnerable youth from at-risk areas to become contributing members of the community. The “Four Seasons, Four Years, For Life” outdoor program builds confidence through skill development, high school credits, bursaries and mentorship. To learn more about Trails Youth Initiative, visit www.trails.ca.

The former Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington now members of the @jrleaguetoronto  lead a community drive to support @theangelproject.ca.

Thank you for helping us bring some holiday cheer to the forgotten patients who are left behind at Christmas with little or no outside family support. These men and women have spent years in continuing care, and because of their condition, may never go home again.

On November 14th, Junior League of Toronto (JLT) members and friends spent a lovely evening writing over 200 personalized holiday cards for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (@CAMHfoundation) Gifts of Light Program. This is the 4th year that our members have supported Gifts of Light’s goal of ensuring that every patient receiving treatment at CAMH receives a personalized holiday card of encouragement, which will be paired with an individual gift carefully selected by a patient’s clinical team. The Gifts of Light program provides practical, meaningful gifts that meet the unique needs of mental health and addiction patients at CAMH, and helps people in crisis on their journey to recovery. Our members had a wonderful time writing meaningful notes of encouragement and listening to CAMH staff share heartfelt words on the impact of the Gifts of Light program. A special thanks to JLT’s Community and Outreach Team for organizing this lovely event, and Bloom Bar Studio for providing a beautiful space for members to learn, connect, and develop as civic leaders.

To learn more about the JLT, and how you can get involved in this or other community-focused programs, visit jlt.org

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