For the past seventy-five years, the Junior League of Williamsport has been improving the greater Williamsport community through its numerous outreach projects researched and executed by trained volunteers. Both independently and collaboratively, the League has been involved in projects in the areas of Health and Welfare, Social Services, Education, the Arts and Historical Preservation.

The Literacy Project

This project focuses on developing family literacy. The program initially began in 2000 as a cooperative venture with the Lycoming County Literacy Project, Inc. (now The Learning Center). The Learning Center views family literacy outreach as a major parent skills-building and family empowerment vehicle.

For the past four years, trained League volunteers have been leading evening read-ins with enrolled families. Read-In sessions are developed around a central theme that encourages guest speakers, activities and topics that will interest both parent and child.

The Junior League of Williamsport will expand the project this year in an independent after school program at The Center. The program will serve children in grades K-7th.

The Allergy Awareness Project

Beginning in 2002, teams of Junior League volunteers began providing area preschools with information and materials needed to deal effectively with life threatening food allergies. Over the past four years, the League has educated the faculties at twenty preschools using materials provided by the national Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

In 2004, the League also presented a workshop to childcare teachers, administrators and support staff of early education schools at the Central Susquehanna Association for the Education of Young Children Conference held at Penn College.

This year, the project will be expanded to include a Restaurant Tour, in which League volunteers will be educating local restaurant owners, managers and employees on the risks associated with food allergies.

Projects in a Day

This committee's mission is to respond to planned and impromptu requests from the community for trained volunteers to assist in facilitating community events that fall within the League's focus areas. League members participate in hands-on projects throughout Greater Williamsport. Examples of past projects include: Habitat for Humanity, Holiday Adopt-A-Family and Red Cross Blood Mobile.