
A New Year’s Resolution to Strengthen Our League


On September 27, The Junior League of Philadelphia hosted a Mingle and Brunch, bringing together first- and second-year members with seasoned leaders for a morning of connection, conversation, and inspiration.
Held at JLP Headquarters, the event welcomed more than 30 attendees who gathered to enjoy bagels and light bites, meaningful conversation, and a warm introduction to the JLP community. The morning opened with remarks from Erin McCahill, Co-Chair of Education and Volunteer Training (EVT), and Le Anne Ahern, Vice President of Membership Development, who highlighted the League’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities.
The brunch offered members the chance to get to know one another outside of trainings and volunteer shifts. Emily Forte, Co-Chair of EVT, led the group through a lively icebreaker (“This or That”) that revealed an abundance of beach-goers, dog-lovers, and early risers among those present.
Informal conversations sparked new friendships and helped members begin building the kind of connections that make League work both impactful and fun. We learned that our group included members from Luxembourg and Kazakhstan — and many former band geeks, including JLP President Pam Phojanakong, who played both saxophone and clarinet!
Looking ahead, members can expect a year filled with service, leadership, and learning. The brunch set the stage for deeper engagement, encouraging everyone to explore new ways to get involved and grow within the League. President-Elect Carrie Scheitrum inspired members to “just say yes” and to embrace opportunities outside their comfort zones, recounting her own experience accepting a role as Treasurer despite not having a formal background in finance.
Special thanks to EVT, the Social Committee, and Membership Development for planning such a thoughtful event, and to everyone who attended for bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and spirit of connection.
Twenty-four JLP members gathered at our Headquarters to commemorate International Find the Good Day on Saturday, September 20th. Volunteers prepared 140 meals for Mama-Tee Fridges, a mutual aid project that helps food-insecure neighbors access fresh, nutritious food.
The meals consisted of a wrap, side salad, and yogurt parfait, and were distributed to community fridges located at senior living centers, schools, and pharmacies throughout Philadelphia.
“Find the Good Day” was established by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in 2023 as a global initiative to celebrate optimism, community, and positive change. The Junior League of Philadelphia centers food insecurity, hunger, and nutrition as a core focus of its mission and philanthropy, and this event offered members a hands-on way to make a tangible difference in the lives of neighbors in need.



Adding depth and perspective to the evening, a Sustainers Panel gave members a window into the JLP’s past, present, and future. Bobbie Cameron, Mary Hinds, Marilyn Sprague, and Nancy Scarlatto reflected on their own experiences, shared lessons learned, and offered advice for newer members, inspiring meaningful engagement with the League’s programs. Through their stories, it became clear how JLP women have consistently risen to challenges—whether providing critical community support during the AIDS epidemic or hosting “bed and breakfast” fundraisers in their own homes, demonstrating creativity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service.
Throughout the meeting, members had the chance to connect, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to the League’s mission. The event fostered a sense of belonging and reminded attendees of the collective impact that comes from dedicated service and leadership.
As the League year continues, members are encouraged to stay involved in upcoming volunteer projects, committee work, and networking opportunities. With the momentum from the September GMM, JLP is poised for another year of empowerment, service, and community impact.

The Women’s Organization Promotes Nutrition, Education, and Service with Local Organizations This Fall
This fall, The Junior League of Philadelphia Inc. (JLP) is continuing its efforts to fight hunger and food insecurity across the Philadelphia region. The JLP is bringing its popular Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) initiative back to schools with a fall program and working with multiple local organizations throughout its Fall Service Weekend.


Photo Credit: The Junior League of Philadelphia
Many children throughout the greater Philadelphia area lack access to fresh, healthy food in the city, and the Kids in the Kitchen program helps to fight that struggle. Over the course of three weeks, students from Philadelphia schools will learn how to make a healthy meal, what makes a meal healthy, and how to be empowered and helpful at home and school.
Each lesson will feature a different, fun recipe for students to learn and master throughout the class, including options such as Fruity Face Pizza and Veggie Snails, Chocolatey Yogurt Dip and Strawberry Sunflower Butter, and Sheet Pan Nachos. Kids in the Kitchen aims to not only make these lessons educational but also fun for the students involved.
“We strive to improve the health and well-being of our community through our work and to develop the capabilities of our volunteers to be impactful,” said Pam Phojanakong, President of The Junior League of Philadelphia. “Through standing initiatives like Kids in the Kitchen and our efforts with multiple local organizations, our volunteer members are getting hands-on programming experience in addressing a range of food insecurity issues, and improving access to fresh, healthy food for children and families today.”
The JLP will participate in its annual Fall Service Weekend, collaborating with local non-profits across the Philadelphia region to create meaningful impact.
On October 25, the JLP will be working with the Riverbend Environmental Education Center to plant trees as the city heads into the winter months. The trees will help to protect local wildlife, combat climate change, and prevent runoff into the Schuylkill River, protecting our water supply.
On November 1, the JLP will gather at Mama-Tee’s Headquarters and make meals to distribute amongst their community fridges that are strategically located near schools, senior centers, and other community areas that are easily accessible to the public. That same day, members of the JLP will also partner with Share Food Program to pack boxes of food to be delivered to elderly members of the Philadelphia community.
On November 2, JLP members will gather at JLP Headquarters in Ardmore to decorate placemats that will be donated to Cathedral Kitchen to add color and warmth to the guests’ tables during their meals. These events are just some of the ways that the JLP works to address food insecurity in Philadelphia and improve access to fresh, healthy food.
For more information, please visit their website. Stay up to date with the organization’s events and news by following their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact Lindsay@PhillyPRGirl.com.
About The Junior League of Philadelphia
The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The JLP welcomes all women who value its mission. They are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities. Since 1912, The JLP has been committed to addressing the many aspects of health and wellness in underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area, whether it’s creating community gardens or providing nutritious meals to families in need. With over 700 trained volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service annually, the organization empowers women volunteers to make meaningful change happen within the communities it proudly serves.
Under the warm mid-August sun, nine JLP members gathered at Walnut Lane Golf Club in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia for a golf clinic.
This was more than a golf outing. It was an afternoon of growth, camaraderie, and quiet confidence, led with patience by Director of Golf, Kyle Spaulding. The group, made up largely of beginners clad in fashionable golf attire, started with a relaxed meet and greet for an hour of conversation and connection on the clubhouse patio. The energy was light but purposeful, a blend of laughter and curiosity as members got to know each other beyond their LinkedIn bios and roles within the League.
With the foundations laid in conversation, the clinic portion began. Under Kyle’s guidance, members learned how to grip a club with intention, how to stand with balance, and how to find rhythm in their swing–not unlike finding their footing in boardrooms or community initiatives. Some swings sent balls sailing. Others skittered along the grass. But every moment was met with encouragement and thoughtful critiques before trying the skill again.
The afternoon culminated in a three-hole scramble, a low-pressure, team-based format that allowed the group to practice their newfound skills on the course. The tree-lined hills of Walnut Lane became a classroom in confidence; each shot a chance to try again, each putt a lesson in patience and mindfulness.

There were cheers for well-struck drives and laughter over wayward shots. The leaderboard didn’t matter. What mattered was the shared experience of learning something new together.
As the sun dipped behind the fairways and the final putts dropped, one thing was clear: golf wasn’t just a game that day. It was a bridge between professional lives and personal growth, between individual ambition and collective joy. Members left with a few more golf tips, a handful of new connections, and a sense of anticipation for the next golf affinity group outing. Because when JLP women lead, even on the golf course, community follows.
JLP affinity groups offer members unique, tailored experiences centered around shared interests. To learn more or join the next golf outing, contact jlpgolfaffinitygroup@gmail.com

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The Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP) was out at the ballpark on September 24 and had fun supporting the Phillies on their way to Red October. There was something for everyone to cheer about: 11 runs scored, homeruns, great pitching and a win over the Marlins.
Fifty league members were in attendance and sold out the ticket block, raising close to $500. The fun didn’t stop there: two members attended their first game, and it was a baby’s first game, too.
Be on the lookout this spring for more Phundraising opportunities with Focus Fundraising; the Phillies can’t wait to work with the League again.