Our Project

We are excited to announce our new partnership with our 2026-2029 grant recipient, Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation.

The Junior League of Hartford’s New Project Development process for our 2026–2029 Community Partnership included several months of planning, outreach, proposal review, and member engagement as we worked to identify a nonprofit partner whose mission and project aligned with our strategic priorities and commitment to community impact.
As part of the process, we hosted a Community Partnership Opportunity Breakfast in December, welcoming approximately 20 local nonprofit organizations from across Greater Hartford. The event gave organizations the opportunity to learn more about our partnership model, volunteer engagement opportunities, and the application process for a potential multi-year collaboration with JLH.Community Partnership Proposal Applications were due on February 1, and we received 14 proposals from organizations interested in partnering with us. After an extensive review process, members of our New Project Development Committee conducted 10 site visits and virtual meetings to learn more about each organization, their mission, community impact, organizational needs, and opportunities for meaningful member involvement.

From there, we narrowed the process down to three finalist organizations, who presented their proposed projects and volunteer opportunities to our membership at the March General Membership Meeting. Following the presentations, our active members voted at the April General Membership Meeting to select our next Community Partner.

We are excited to announce that Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation was selected as the Junior League of Hartford’s 2026–2029 Community Partner! Their mission is to promote independence and dignity by providing housing assistance and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This partnership strongly aligns with our community focus on addressing the impact of systemic poverty on women and families throughout the Greater Hartford community, while creating opportunities for meaningful volunteer engagement and lasting community impact.

Through this partnership, we will support Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation’s efforts to reconfigure, renovate, and expand key areas within the Friendship Center at St. Elizabeth House, including shower, clothing, and food pantry spaces. The project is designed to improve client flow, increase access to essential services, and enhance safety for both clients and staff. These improvements will help Mercy Housing continue responding to the growing needs of the Hartford community while also creating meaningful volunteer opportunities for our members.

We are honored to partner with Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation and look forward to the meaningful impact we can create together over the next three years.

Done in a Day

In addition to the long-term partnership with our grant recipient organization, the Junior League’s Done In A Day Committee coordinates projects in support of other area non-profit organizations and social service initiatives. The Done In A Day Committee typically organizes 2 events each month of the league year. Done In A Day provides volunteer support for community projects or events that can be accomplished in a one-time day, evening, or weekend effort. When nonprofit agencies are limited in achieving their goals due to lack of womanpower, this program provides a small, dedicated group of JLH volunteers to help. All projects selected meet a community need in the Greater Hartford area and relate to the Junior League’s mission. In this way, the JLH is able to harness our volunteers to provide intense, short-term support for our community and other area not-for-profits.

If you would like to receive additional information or are interested in the possibility of enlisting JLH volunteers on behalf of your project or organization please contact us.

Are you a community organization looking to partner with our league? Click here for more information.

Examples of past Done In A Day projects include:

  • Park Road Beautification – Community Clean-up Walk
  • Girls on the Run – Running buddy to Girls on the Run participant
  • My Sister’s Place – Halloween and Winter Holiday party
  • Project Linus – Making blankets for children in hospitals, shelters, and social service agencies
  • Love146 – Making cards for child trafficking survivors
  • Interval House – Hosting breakfast for residents
  • Journey Home – Helping move furniture into client’s new homes
  • Chrysalis Center – Fresh Place Market – food pantry

Souper Sustainers

Founded in 1986 by Susan Brown and Barbara Cambria, Souper Sustainers was created to encourage the continued membership and enthusiasm of JLH sustainers and to meet a community need. The Junior League of Hartford, Inc. partnered with Loaves and Fishes Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides human services to the poor in Hartford. Through education, food, counseling, and economic development programs, Loaves and Fishes hopes to create diverse, healthy, and self-motivated communities.

The Souper Sustainer volunteers make a commitment to provide and serve food for a healthy mid-day meal at the Loaves and Fishes center one Friday per month. (At least twenty other community organizations have made a similar commitment.) There are approximately 120 clients who arrive for lunch every day. Designated committee members shop the day before the meal and deliver the food to the kitchen. The serving volunteers arrive on Friday at 10:30am and serve food until 12:45pm. There are 7 volunteers scheduled for each Friday. The committee maintains a substitute list in case a volunteer is unable to fill her shift. Volunteers often bring family members to help during the busy holiday season.