Dear Friends and Community Members,

It is an honor and pleasure to address you as the 2024-25 President of the Junior League of Springfield, Missouri (JLS).

As we embark upon our 66th year of service to our community, I am thrilled to lead and serve a group of passionate women dedicated to pursuing our mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Since 1959 JLS has proactively identified areas of need in our community, taken action to address those needs, and supported organizations that provide vital services across our city. Together, we will continue to create, promote, and support programs and projects that uplift and empower those who need it most. The theme for the 2024-25 League Year, ‘Connect. Collaborate. Cultivate.’ encapsulates the spirit of action and teamwork that is essential for driving meaningful change.

The 2024-25 League year is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for our organization and community. This year, JLS will continue our legacy of leadership through volunteer service with our 2024-25 project partners: Isabel’s House – Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks, Ozarks Public Television, Boys  Girls Club of Springfield, The Drew Lewis Foundation, and The Kitchen.

I’m excited to announce that we begin this year at a new office location! Our offices are now located at 1740 S. Glenstone, Suites R & Q. Suite R will house our office and meeting spaces and Suite Q will be the new storefront for our beloved Plaid Door Resale Boutique. Our relocation is a return to our roots as Glenstone Square was the original office location of JLS in 1977! We are thrilled to put our stamp on our new home and I invite you to stop by during office hours for a tour.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Community Focus Report. The blue ribbons and red flags identified in the report have guided aspects of our community impact efforts for two decades. As a founding organization, JLS will host the report release event on October 4, 2024 at the eFactory. I hope to see you there.

We invite you to join us in our mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. There are multiple ways you can ‘Connect. Collaborate. Cultivate.’ with JLS this year. If you are looking for an avenue to make a difference, consider becoming a member. By joining our ranks, you will have the chance to engage in meaningful volunteer work, develop valuable leadership skills, and connect with like-minded women who share your commitment to service.

If you are a community partner, please consider sponsoring or attending one of our fundraising events. Your generosity allows us to continue implementing vital programs that address needs within our community. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference and brings us one step closer to building a brighter future.

In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your continued support of JLS. I am immensely proud of the work of JLS and excited for the opportunities to connect with you, collaborate with our community partners, and cultivate personal and organizational growth.

Yours in service,

Rachel Fuhrman

President, Junior League of Springfield, Missouri