The Junior League of The Oranges and Short Hills was founded in 1913, making it the 11th oldest  Junior League of the more than 290 Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Great Britain. We are linked by the Association of Junior Leagues, International with headquarters in New York City.

Our active members contribute over 15,000 volunteer hours annually. No matter their cultural background, income or lifestyle, our members are united by their commitment to volunteer work and the sense of fulfillment.

Start The Change

The projects of our Junior League have a direct impact on the community. They start with careful research to identify needs in the community. JLOSH then oversees and initiates volunteer service or financial programs sometimes in conjunction with other groups. Our goal is for the project to become self-sustaining. We tackle problems caused by poverty, homelessness, hunger and child abuse in Essex and Union counties. JLOSH has helped establish long-standing community organizations like the Millburn Chapter of the Red Cross, New Eyes for the Needy in Millburn and historic Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood. In 1990, JLOSH won the BMW Community Impact Award for its role in creating Isaiah House, a shelter for homeless families in East Orange.

In addition to funding our current projects, each year we give grants to other non-profit organizations. We also award scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism.

Train For Change

Although our members bring diverse backgrounds and skills to the League, training is essential for them to emerge as successful community leaders. Active members are trained to deal with the specific needs of their volunteer projects. New members are offered a provisional course to learn about the Junior League.