A position statement is an official statement of the Junior League that outlines specific goals and establishes the League’s general position on a public issue and its commitment to action on that issue.

On Children:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., are committed to:

• securing food access for households living below the poverty line in East Pittsburgh;
• 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; and
• supporting efforts made to protect and promote the health and welfare of all children and families.

On Voluntarism:

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. recognizes the critical role of the voluntary sector in initiating, demonstrating and advocating for needed change, monitoring the public sector objectively, and influencing governmental program development and regulation.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will therefore continue to take action that will ensure the effectiveness of the voluntary sector.

On Aging:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., believe that:

• older adults should have opportunities to foster independence and continued intellectual, emotional and economic growth;
• older adults deserve access to services designed for their overall well-being; and
• older adults’ skills and creativity should be utilized so that we all may become more productive individuals within our community.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will continue to support older adults and to take action in a way consonant with our beliefs.

On Substance Abuse:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., believe that substance abuse is harmful to individual and public health and safety.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will continue to support and further public awareness and education of the harmful effects of substance abuse and advocate for strengthened efforts to preserve individual and public health and safety.

On Women:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., believe that:

• women and men have the right to equal protection under the law; and
• women and men are entitled to have equal opportunities and services essential for their economic, emotional, intellectual, physical and social growth.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will support women and advocate that such protection, opportunities and services are provided.

On Health:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., recognize that quality healthcare and healthcare-related service programs are essential and directly related to optimal physical, mental, social and emotional growth and development for all.

Therefore, the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will:

• promote education programs that foster personal and public awareness regarding healthcare and prevention of disease;
• support medical research and related efforts of healthcare professionals working toward the prevention and treatment of disease; and
• advocate continued voluntarism to ensure that all individuals have the opportunities essential to quality healthcare services.

On Domestic Violence:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., believe that:

• any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women and children, whether occurring in public or in private life, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in our society;
• women and children have the right to protection and safety; and
• women and children have the right to live in violence-free households.

Therefore, the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. will:

• further public education and awareness of issues relating to domestic violence;
• advocate for and support the training of persons in the legal, medical and social service systems, so they are better equipped to understand and deal with the complexity of issues inherent in domestic violence cases;
• support shelter, refuge and transitional housing programs for survivors of domestic violence and their children; and
• encourage and participate in collaboration with other service providers and advocates to accomplish mutual goals.

On Literacy:

We, the members of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., recognize that illiteracy is a growing problem in our community. We believe that in order to eradicate illiteracy, we must support reading and educational programs designed to promote literacy and promote the literacy services available to children and adults.