The Junior League of Denver (JLD) is a women’s training organization that develops civic leaders committed to improving our community. Founded in 1918, the League started, and aided in starting, many well-known Denver institutions including Children’s Museum of Denver, Mile High Transplant Bank (now Donor Alliance), the Red Rocks concerts and many others.

In 2012, the JLD embarked on its focus to improve literacy rates and provide access to books for children through the third grade in the Denver metro area. For nearly a decade, we successfully reached thousands of children and families through signature League programs like Kids Connect and Read2Kids, as well as key partnerships like serving as a sponsor for One Book Colorado and working with Reading Partners Colorado.

In addition to continuing these impactful literacy programs, the JLD seeks to expand its impact area to include additional programs to further engage our members as civic leaders in service to our Denver metro community. We understand our membership and community needs are dynamic, so it’s critical that we continually assess and explore ways to further our Mission and increase our impact.

As a part of our Strategic Plan, and at the direction of our Board of Directors, the Future Focus Special Committee started meeting in July 2019 to explore a possible impact area expansion. After nearly two years of exploration, research and community assessment, the JLD is excited to share that our newly expanded focus is disrupting the cycle of systemic poverty for women and families in Denver. We believe that, through the leadership of our trained volunteers and our strong community partnerships with leaders in this new space, we can play a part in helping build a better Denver for everyone.

This work will build on the continued success of our literacy efforts by helping us engage in adjacent areas like homelessness, education, health and food security. The expansion will also allow us to intentionally incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into our work so we can meaningfully partner with our community and co-design solutions. Again, all current JLD programs will continue under the newly expanded impact area.

If you have any feedback or ideas for us, we want to hear from you! Please email us at community@jld.org. Thank you for supporting the JLD. We look forward to working together to continue our long history of meeting our community’s greatest needs.

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Watch a video above about the Junior League of Denver and our community impact!

Current Community Programs

The Junior League of Denver focuses on disrupting the cycle of systemic poverty for women and families in Denver. 

DONE IN A DAY
JLD provides volunteers to Denver metro nonprofits for short-term projects throughout the year.

JLD GRANTS
The JLD grants funds to nonprofit organizations aligned with our Mission and focus.

LEADERS UNITED IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE (L.U.V.S.)
JLD’s annual day of service focused on a specific theme or neighborhood.

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY
The JLD Public Policy Council is the liaison to our membership, the community, and elected officials. The group researches issues affecting the JLD, keeps the League informed on areas of interest, and advises when action is appropriate.

READ2KIDS
JLD signature event-based program promoting literacy through access to books, healthy food, fun activities, and parental/caregiver involvement. Currently held at a variety of Denver metro elementary schools.

KIDS CONNECT
JLD signature bimonthly family literacy-based program centered on early childhood brain development, currently held at Sewall Child Development Center.

TUTORING WITH KIDS
JLD provides one-on-one tutoring for Reading Partners Colorado, helping children become more confident readers.

THE GATHERING PLACE
JLD serves meals and provides milk at Denver’s only daytime drop-in shelter for women, their children, and transgender individuals experiencing poverty or homelessness.

JLD Community Impact