Signature Initiative: Public Health

PUBLIC HEALTH: A NEW DIRECTION FOR LASTING IMPACT

In May 2023, the Junior League of Cleveland Board of Directors approved a bold new five-year strategic plan, guiding our work through 2028. At the heart of this plan was our new signature impact area: public health. But what does public health mean? Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. It covers everything from access to food and healthcare to education and community wellness.

Our Community Committee identified five sub-impact areas to focus on and foster partnerships, relationships, and volunteer opportunities for members:

  1. Children, Families & Women
  2. Food Insecurity
  3. Maternal Health
  4. Education
  5. Health & Wellness

ISSUE-BASED COMMUNITY IMPACT

The Junior League of Cleveland uses an issue-based community impact model, which allows us to focus our time, talent, and resources on a single priority issue for greater, long-term results. Introduced by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in 2010 and implemented in Cleveland since 2011, this approach moves us beyond one-time service projects and into work that drives sustainable, systemic change.

We address public health challenges through a multi-pronged approach that includes:

  • Direct Service through hands-on volunteerism

  • Strategic Partnerships with local nonprofits

  • Systems Advocacy to drive lasting change

  • Leadership Development that empowers our members to lead both inside and outside the League

Each year, our Community Research & Development Committee (CRDC) leads a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a community partner aligned with our public health focus. This ensures we are responsive to evolving needs while maintaining deep, mission-aligned impact.

We empower our members to become bold civic leaders—equipped with the tools, training, and partnerships to tackle our city’s most pressing health challenges head-on. Through this initiative, we forge meaningful connections with local organizations, amplify underserved voices, and invest in innovative solutions that promote health equity for all.

By focusing our efforts, we don’t just show up—we show up well-prepared, deeply invested, and ready to lead.

Join us as we build a healthier, stronger Cleveland—one project, one partnership, one woman at a time.