ABOUT OUR LEAGUE
CENTERING OUR COMMUNITY: JLW’S 2022 MLK WEEKEND OF SERVICE
This year’s Weekend of Service brought together record volunteer participation with both new and established community partners Katharine Shadlock
J
anuary 14-17, 2022 marked the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) inaugural Weekend of Service. Hosted by the Done-in-a-Day Committee, the weekend included volunteer events throughout the Washington, DC, metro area in which JLW members participated to celebrate and honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. MLK Jr. Day is observed as “a day on, not a day off” and is the only federal holiday designated as a national Junior League members volunteering with Girls on the Run - DC day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their community. events, League participants completed more “We wanted to set up a weekend of than 288 hours of volunteering. events predicated on volunteers all going These service opportunities were very out together at the same time,” commented popular among JLW volunteers and many Aida Latorre, Chair of the Done-in-a-Day had waitlists. The weekend reflected Committee. The Weekend of Service was the theme of JLW’s 109th League year, composed of 12 events of which five were CENTERING OUR COMMUNITY. virtual and seven were in person. Across all During this year, the League focused on
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2021 - 2022
its members, strengthened relationships with existing partners, and looked toward the future as it formed new relationships with community organizations working within its new focus area. The new focus area in effect for the 2022-2023 League year is “Supporting pathways to opportunity through improved access to education, professional and financial development, and capacity building resources in our community.” Latorre was inspired by the theme of the League year and was especially motivated by the upcoming changes to the League’s Focus Area. She wanted to build a volunteer opportunity highlighting the various ways JLW can support pathways to opportunity. All JLW members were invited to participate in the volunteer opportunities. “We felt inclusivity was essential […]. The pandemic has limited opportunities for
