For 107 years, JLW has brought its unique brand of voluntarism to Washington, DC—tackling some of society’s thorniest issues and inspiring change in the world around us. Over our history, JLW volunteers have helped sick children and victims of domestic abuse, raised money for war bonds, and supported social services and education. Since 1999, we have focused our volunteer and financial resources on improving literacy in our community.

That year, our membership identified literacy as an area where DC could use the support of our trained volunteers to challenge the status quo, spur action, and spark meaningful change that would spread to the rest of our community. Tapping into and building on our strength in numbers, our unparalleled archive of results, and our decades of civic leadership, JLW began new initiatives, partnerships, and programs that would help reach thousands of DC-area residents.

Take a look at just some of what we’ve accomplished and how we’ve given back since 1999:

• JLW has begun new partnerships with seven nonprofit organizations in the DC area: A Wider Circle, Calvary Women’s Services, Community Family Life Services, Horton’s Kids, Literacy Lab, 826DC’s Reading All-Stars program, and Washington School for Girls.
• JLW has donated more than $1.79 million in grants to 116 organizations supporting literacy in Washington, DC.
• JLW has donated more than 130,000 books through our Resolution Read initiative, which began during our centennial year in 2012-2013.
• JLW has served as the primary partner to provide volunteers to the National Book Fest, with nearly 45,000 hours volunteered over 17 years.
• JLW has held its annual youth poetry contest for DC public and charter students grades 4 through 8 each year for 20 years running.