"The Junior League of Yakima 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."

I give Junior League all the credit for shaping me into the civic-minded Yakima community leader I have become today.

I received training, guidance, and support that enriched me with leadership skills and a volunteer spirit. I served on the Public Relations Committee, Social Committee, VP of Communications on the Junior League Board, and the Advocacy Committee. In 2012, I was elected as the Chair of the Junior Leagues of Washington State, which is a SPAC that educates Junior League members across the state as well as state legislators on selected focus areas (at the time those two issues were childhood obesity and human trafficking).

Every year the Junior League of Yakima gives out grants to nonprofits that provide services for or give support to women and girls. (Disclaimer: I have been a member of JLY since 2007 and am currently a Junior League Sustainer.)

Having had a bird's eye view in the past, here is how the Junior League Grant Process works: A committee of Junior League volunteers receives requests for the community grants. Next, in February 2021, this committee will review each application together and then narrow down their top choices. The Community Assistance Fund (CAF) recipients will be announced in April 2021.

I have never served on the CAF committee, but I have seen the grant giveaways in action. I have always been proud of the grants our Junior League association has been able to give to organizations in the Yakima Valley. If you want to apply for the grant, email committee member, Ellen Elliott, here.

For more information about the Junior League of Yakima click here.

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