Junior Aid has a strong philanthropic history in the Stockton community. The non-profit organization began in 1927 as a group of young women known as the Junior Auxiliary. Using funds raised, the Auxiliary helped finance the Stockton Day Nursery, a day boarding nursery for children whose mothers worked outside the home. The Auxiliary changed its name to Junior Aid in 1928, and has since celebrated over 80 years of community service.

The drive that has kept Junior Aid strong and effective all these years is the desire of its members to create innovative ways to contribute their individual talents and time toward improving the lives of women, children, and the underprivileged in their community.

Fundraisers over the years included projects as diverse as the 1949 “takeover” of Dunlap’s Department Store in Stockton, where Junior Aid members were the salespeople for a day, and shared the profits with the store; the extremely popular (and dearly coveted by little girls throughout Stockton) Janet Ditz Doll, raffled each December from 1934 to 1958; the instant sell-out 1990 luncheon, lecture, and book-signing with Martha Stewart; and, since 1949, the rummage sale which has contributed more to the community than any other Junior Aid project. These and other projects have made it possible for Junior Aid to donate over $2.5 million to the community.

To remain viable, any organization must continue to meet the needs of its members. Junior Aid recently began the affiliation process with the Association of Junior Leagues International, which includes nearly 300 leagues throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain, and has a membership of more than 170,000 women. The affiliation will provide a variety of training and networking opportunities to help meet the organization’s goal of training its members for leadership and more effective community service.

Known for its fundraising efforts, Junior Aid also has a hands-on facet to its community involvement. The annual Kids in the Kitchen Health and Nutrition Fair teaches children good eating and exercise habits. Throwing in a challenge to local civic groups always adds a little spice to the mix. “Extreme Makeover, Shelter Edition,” had members making over a family room for four at the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless from floor to ceiling, including new linens and décor, then challenging civic groups to choose a room and do the same. To date, over 75% of the Shelter has been remodeled by volunteers as a result of the challenge. “Done in a Meeting” projects have provided toiletry kits for the Women’s Center’s clients, blankets for new toddlers at the Shelter, and holiday goodie bags for kids at Child Abuse Prevention Center.

The group is also looking at the non-profit community as a whole, exploring how the collaboration of organizations can help them strengthen and expand their outreach. A workshop hosted by Junior Aid, “Imagine Your Impact,” brought nationally-renowned speaker Vicki Clark to a wide variety of local non-profits, offering them an opportunity to pursue ways they can work together, rather than independently.

Walk into a Junior Aid meeting today, and you might think, “This is not your mother’s Junior Aid.” Meeting schedules are coordinated to accommodate working members, leadership training opportunities are touted in locations across the country, and board members are working on benchmarks to meet affiliation requirements for Junior League. Junior Aid welcomes women of all races, religions and national origins who are committed to volunteerism. A closer look reveals that this group truly is “like your mother’s Junior Aid – and a lot more!”