Since the first Canadian Junior League was formed in 1911, Junior Leagues in Canada have been creating lasting positive changes across the country.  As each League focuses primarily on the needs of their local community, Junior Leagues can be credited with implementing changes and improving conditions in almost every sector of our society. With the hundreds of thousands of member volunteer hours and the substantial financial support provided by these Junior Leagues, the impact on our Canadian communities is truly remarkable.

Junior Leagues are charitable, non-profit organizations of women, developed as civic and community leaders, creating lasting positive changes in their communities.  Collectively, the Junior League, founded in New York City in 1901, is one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world.  The Association of Junior League International is now comprised of  more than 155,000 women in 292 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. Junior Leagues reach out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate and interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues was established more than 30 years ago to serve as the link among Junior Leagues in Canada and represent the unique perspectives and needs of the Canadian Leagues to the Association of Junior Leagues International, as well as to all Canadian external stakeholders. Today, all five Canadian Junior Leagues (Halifax, Toronto, Hamilton-Burlington, Calgary and Edmonton) are tackling several critical issues. To address childhood obesity and create healthier families, members are facilitating healthy eating workshops and cooking classes as well as working with youth to prepare them for a 5 kilometer race. Others are focusing their efforts on improving the educational success of young women affected by poverty, or working with adolescents to educate them on healthy living, developing positive body image and promoting positive self esteem. The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues facilitates the potential for increased impact through League collaboration and sharing of valuable resources and best practices. 

In the mid-2000s, as Canadian Federation leaders focused on raising the organizations national profile, a country-wide Done-in-a-Day initiative focusing on nutrition was introduced in each of the Canadian Leagues. Local activities were based on the very succesful Junior League of Calgary's Junior Chef's program. Proudly, the pilot and inspiration for an Association wide program called Kids in the Kitchen followed shortly after. Kids in the Kitchen engages kids in the preparation of healthy meals and snacks as a means to educate them and their parents on proper nutrition and healthy choices. Annually since then, over 200 Junior Leagues are continuing to participate in the Kids in the Kitchen in some way.

We welcome Greta and Janet Podleski of the three healthy-eating cookbooks, Looneyspoons, Crazy Plates and Eat, Shrink & Be Merry! as our Canadian national spokespersons for Kids in the Kitchen as we work toward raising, not only our national presence, but more importantly the growing issue of childhood obesity in Canada.

In 2011, the Junior Leagues of Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton-Burlington, Toronto and Halifax continue to share a unified goal of improving their communities, developing the potential of women and promoting voluntarism.  They are also committed to increasing our presence on the Canadian volunteer scene and within our local communities. And, at a time when many organizations are retrenching, Canadian Junior League members are supporting an international Junior League initiative where bold steps are being taken to ensure a bright future for the organization that has contributed to the development of effective volunteer leaders and meaningful community improvements.

I encourage you to explore this website and also visit the Association of Junior League International and various Canadian Junior League sites to learn more about all this exciting organization has to offer. 

Marion Goard

CFJL National Coordinator, 2011-2013