Junior League of Detroit: thriving for over 100 years

Without support from the community and partnerships, The Junior League of Detroit (JLD) wouldn’t be able to exist for more than 100 years.

JLD is a dynamic group of women leaders who have been making change happen since 1914. For over 100 years, it has been striving to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

“Our ability to thrive and survive is not done by accident and only comes through the support of our partners, such as The War Memorial, and the community at large,” Kimberly Burke, president of Junior League of Detroit, said. “We can’t do our work without their support.”

Burke noted that JLD wants to advance woman’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.

“It’s a group of woman leaders affecting change in this area since 1914,” she said.

Since its inception, JLD has completed 53 major projects in and around the City of Detroit and has awarded over $250,000 dollars in community grants. JLD is a local chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues International and embraces the vision of Mary Harriman, founder of the Junior League movement.

Burke, who is married to Charles Burke, president and CEO of The War Memorial, has been part of JLD for almost nine years.

“The funds we raise help with a couple of different areas,” Kimberly Burke said. “One area is providing 10 scholarships every year to woman pursuing college degrees from Wayne and Macomb counties.”

Additionally, JLD provides community assistance grants to other nonprofit organizations that help to improve the health and welfare of children. Recently, JLD finished volunteer work with The Empowerment Plan in Detroit.

“We helped to provide healthy and free meals to 50 of their participants and 80 of their children,” Kimberly Burke said. “We provided two meals a day, five days a week.”

She said that TWM has been a supporter of JLD for many years and a place that is always accommodating for their needs.

Kimberly Burke noted that JLD has signed an agreement with Brilliant Detroit, an organization dedicated to building kid success families and neighborhoods where families with children 0-8 have what they need to be school ready, healthy and stable. In the past, JLD provided gifts at holiday time, and had a tea party for Brilliant Detroit residents.

“They have houses in different communities in Detroit and serve as a location in that area for people to receive assistance,” she said.

One of JLD’s highlights of the year is the Designers’ Show House. Junior League of Detroit 2022 Designers’ Show House is set for Sept. 18-Oct. 2. This year’s home is located at 205 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. The nearly 6,000 square foot home is perched on half an acre overlooking Lake St. Clair. The home features five oversized bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, and well-portioned living spaces throughout for relaxation and entertaining.

Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Junior League of Detroit, including how to become a member, and for tickets for the show house, visit JLDetroit.org.

Alex Szwarc
Communications Manager
313.881.7514
aszwarc@warmemorial.org