JLNW Position Statements

The JLNW takes positions on a number of public issues. The following is the JLNW’s current public affairs agenda:

Prevention of re-victimazation of Human Trafficking Victims – Current

Click here to read full position statement – Motion Passed the March 2015

Voluntarism – January 1980

The JLNW, whose purpose is “to promote voluntarism, to develop the potential of its members for voluntary participation in community affairs, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of trained volunteers,” supports and promotes voluntarism as an essential component of our society. The JLNW further recognizes the critical role of the voluntary sector in experimenting, demonstrating, innovating and advocating for needed change, monitoring the public sector impartially, influencing governmental program development, and providing those services unavailable through governmental program. Therefore, the JLNW will continue to take action to insure the effectiveness of the voluntary sector.

Historical Preservation – May 1980

The JLNW believes the importance of our historical heritage. Our interests include furthering education, research, and advocacy as well as preserving and rehabilitating valuable structures and sites. We, therefore, resolve to continue to support legislation and efforts which will further our objective.

Domestic Violence – Revised April 1981

The JLNW recognizes that domestic violence is a major social problem with far reaching physical, economic and psychological ramifications. We also recognize that to arrest the increase in the incidence of domestic violence and to stop the intergenerational cycle of abuse, society must understand the problem, act to assist and protect the victims, and attempt to work effectively with the abusers. Therefore, the JLNW not only encourages awareness and education concerning this problem but also stresses the need for continued supportive action by the community and the judicial system to aid and protect the victims of domestic violence.

Children – Revised May 1982

The JLNW is committed to ensuring that children have the opportunities and services essential for their physical, intellectual, emotional, mental and social growth and will advocate to see that such opportunities and services are provided.

Aging – May 1986

The JLNW is committed to supporting and ensuring that older adults have the opportunities and services essential for their physical, intellectual, emotional, mental, social and economic well-being and will advocate to see that such opportunities and services are provided.

Women – April 1990

The JLNW is committed to ensuring women equal opportunities and services essential to their optimal physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and economic well-being and will advocate to see that such services and opportunities exist.

Environment – September 1992

The JLNW is committed to conserve, protect, improve and restore the environment and will advocate for policies, programs and legislation to achieve this goal.

External Policy on Youth Violence Prevention – April 1994

Whereas, the JLNW believes:

That youth violence is a public health issue of epidemic proportions;
That youth violence can result when children and families do not have access to economic, cultural, social and psychological support;
That the easy availability of firearms is a major factor in the increasing lethality of youth violence;
That alcohol is implicated in a large proportion of violent events;
That violence in the media desensitizes children and youth to the horrors and consequences of violence;
That we are increasingly fragmented, diverse communities with racism, a lack of cultural sensitivity, and a lack of bonding contributing to the problem of youth violence;
That viewing violence from a criminal justice perspective encourages youth incarceration which is currently a training ground for violence; and
That viewing violence from a public health perspective stimulates community-based prevention and intervention program alternatives.

Therefore, be it resolved that the JLNW views youth violence as a major children’s health issue and will work to reduce the contributing factors and root causes of youth violence.

In addition, as members of AJLI and NYSPAC, the JLNW also supports the following Position Statements:

I.      Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI)

  1. Aging
  2. Children (including Child Care and Child Health)
  3. Violence (including Domestic Violence)
  4. Voluntarism
  5. Women
  6. Education
  7. Substance Abuse
  8. External Policy on Youth Violence Prevention
  9. Breast Health
  10. School Readiness