Junior Welfare Association was established after eleven women listened to a luncheon speaker discuss social conditions in Decatur. That was August 1938. The twenty-seven charter members pledged to improve the economic, educational, and social conditions of the community through financial assistance and volunteer service.

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That same August, they undertook both their first fundraising project, a style show, and their first service project, a picnic for the local orphanage. By 1942, they had grown to seventy members contributing over 8000 hours of service to the community. Today there are 24 members and more than 250 Patroness Members. Our area of service now covers Decatur and Macon County.

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After nearly 86 years, Junior Welfare remains strongly committed to the goals set forth by its founders. Continuation of our ongoing service projects and individual commitments to community groups and organizations affords us the opportunity to meet these goals.