At the Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP), community impact often happens through small, focused volunteer efforts that add up to make a big difference. One of the ways we do this is through our Done in a Day (DIAD) projects. While DIAD projects are short-term volunteer opportunities, the partnerships behind them are anything but temporary. Thoughtful collaboration with community organizations helps ensure our efforts align with our mission and create lasting impact.
When the JLP DIAD team considers potential partners, the most important factor is alignment with our focus areas. Our current community work centers on food insecurity and healthy living, so we prioritize organizations that support those efforts. This means partnering with groups that directly address hunger, nutrition, and access to healthy food in Philadelphia communities. By focusing our volunteer energy in these areas, we can amplify the impact of our work and remain consistent with our mission.
Another key consideration is whether an organization can offer hands-on volunteer opportunities for our members. DIAD partnerships work best when organizations invite volunteers to actively participate in their work rather than simply seeking financial support. Ideally, these opportunities occur multiple times a year, giving JLP members recurring chances to engage with the community and deepen their involvement.
Even though DIAD projects are designed to be completed in a day, the JLP strives to develop longer-term relationships with our partners. We look for organizations where the League can add real value and where our members’ time and skills can make a tangible difference. This approach helps ensure our volunteer efforts are not just one-time events but part of an ongoing collaboration that benefits both organizations and the communities we serve.
Most of the time, the Junior League reaches out to organizations that align with our focus areas. However, some of our strongest partnerships have developed over time with organizations that regularly connect with us when new volunteer needs arise. These relationships grow through consistent communication and shared goals, allowing us to respond quickly when opportunities for service emerge.
To keep partnerships organized and productive, the DIAD team assigns a liaison to each community partner. This person acts as the primary point of contact, coordinating volunteer opportunities and ensuring both organizations can plan events smoothly. For example, our partner Face to Face in Germantown has worked closely with JLP DIAD liaison Kim Bennett to schedule several volunteer initiatives throughout the year. Past DIAD events include the following:
• Sandwich-making projects to support food distribution
• Preparing turkey casserole donations, often assembled at JLP headquarters
• Supporting Face to Face’s Founders Day celebration, a community barbecue held at their Germantown location
DIAD projects are designed to meet people where they are. Not every volunteer can commit to long-term weekly service, but many still want to give back in meaningful ways. By building strong partnerships and organizing flexible volunteer opportunities, the JLP ensures members can make a real difference, even in just one day. Through thoughtful partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and a shared commitment to addressing food insecurity, DIAD projects continue to be a powerful way for the Junior League to serve communities throughout the Philadelphia metro area.