The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County, a not-for-profit organization established in 1920, is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
The Junior League's community projects have included the Bridgeport Childcare Project, whose goal is to build a childcare center in Bridgeport to serve low-income families; providing meals for Operation Hope, a Fairfield agency that helps the homeless and operates a homeless shelter at 50 Nichols St.; partnering with the Thomas Hooker School in Bridgeport to help the school and its students; "Done in a Day" initiatives in which the League's Helping Hands Committee addresses immediate short-term needs in its communities, such as clothing and book drives, spruce-up projects and event staffing.
The League also is active in "Kids in the Kitchen," a national Junior League initiative aimed at empowering children to adopt healthy habits in an effort to reverse the trend of childhood obesity. Local leagues educate at grassroots levels by providing information, materials and interactive lessons related to nutrition and healthy eating to parents and children in their communities.
Members of the Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County receive training in advocacy, community research, fundraising, finance, leadership, public relations and personal development.
Prospective members must be at least 21 years old and pay $100 to receive training at classes held in Fairfield Public Library.
The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County, whose motto is "Women Building Better Communities," is comprised of women from Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown, Redding, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston and Westport.
The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County's headquarters is on the third floor of Burr Homestead, a town-owned historic structure at 739 Old Post Road.