Junior Welfare Association

10/15/2026

Happy birthday to our Junior Welfare Association members celebrating in October! 🥳 Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting children and families across Macon County. 💼✨

Wishing a wonderful birthday to:
🎂 Lania Brown
🎂 Kierra Massey
🎂 Kelli Rarick
🎂 Hannah Wolfe

Join us wishing them a great year ahead! ⤵

10/15/2026

Cheers to our second-year members as they transition from provisional to active membership in the Junior Welfare Association!

We’re excited to see them continue their JWA journey, building on their first year of service and strengthening their impact in Macon County. ✨

10/12/2026

💗 2,292 HOURS OF SERVICE.

In 2025–26, JWA members contributed 2,292 volunteer hours supporting local organizations, community projects, and families across Macon County.

From hands-on projects to supporting local organizations, our members put in the time to make a difference throughout Macon County.

Need volunteer support for your organization or project? Submit a volunteer request ▶ https://www.juniorwelfare.org/about-5

10/01/2026

Need labels? Make them count.

We’re fundraising with Mabel's Labels, making it easy to stock up on personalized labels for clothing, shoes, water bottles, lunch boxes and more—all while supporting JWA’s work in Macon County.

🛍️ Visit Mabel’s Labels Fundraising
🔎 Search for Junior Welfare Association
🏷️ Choose your favorite personalized labels
💟 A portion of every purchase comes back to JWA!

Shop & support JWA ▶ mabelslabels.com/fundraising/support

09/09/2026

Our community grant application is NOW OPEN!!! Junior Welfare Association is offering grants of up to $1,000 to support organizations working to make a difference in the economic, educational, or social well-being of our community. Visit www.juniorwelfare.org/grants now to apply!

Grant finalists will be asked to attend the Oct. 7 JWA meeting to present their project or initiative and answer questions from members. We can't wait to meet you and learn more about the good work being done in Macon County!

09/04/2026

We were excited to welcome the United Way - Decatur & Mid-Illinois to our September meeting and learn more about their work and the impact they’re making in our community.

Thank you to the United Way team for joining us and helping us begin the year with a deeper understanding of the needs in Macon County and how JWA can support your efforts! ✨

Are you an organization making a difference in Macon County? We’d love to learn more about your work and explore how JWA can support your efforts. Contact [email protected] to express your interest in presenting at an upcoming JWA meeting.

08/24/2026

Since 1938, Junior Welfare Association has been showing up for Macon County — supporting local children and families, investing in our community and partnering with organizations that help make our community stronger, including the James Millikin Homestead.

Our history is rooted in service. Our future depends on women who are ready to keep it going.

Ready to be part of the next chapter? Join JWA! ✨ Applications are due TODAY, August 24. Apply now ▶️ juniorwelfare.org/join-jwa

This is a photo of the main hallway of the Homestead, circa 1970. After the completion of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, the Decatur Art Institute (the James Millikin Homestead) was no longer needed as an art center. The Junior Welfare Association began the work of restoring the interior of the home to what it would have looked like before 1920. This photograph shows the blank, white walls that were added above the fireplaces to make room for more art. Once JWA took over, they began to remove those walls, thus unveiling the beauty we now see today.

08/21/2026

👟👟 Thank you to our 2026–27 JWA Sole Sponsors! 👟👟

We’re incredibly grateful to the generous individuals who have chosen to become Sole Sponsors this year. Because of their support, local children in need can receive new shoes, socks and undergarments when they need them most.

Every $100 Sole Sponsor gift fully funds a voucher for one local student, helping JWA meet a basic need and make a direct impact in the life of a child in our community.

Want to become a Sole Sponsor, too? There’s still time to join them in making a difference! Make your $100 gift today and help provide a local child with the essentials they need.

Become a Sole Sponsor ▶ juniorwelfare.org/product-page/jwa-sole-sponsor-2026-2027

08/19/2026

Junior Welfare Association brings together women from across Macon County who are passionate about making a difference through hands-on service, community projects and strong community partnerships.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get involved in our community, serve local children and families, and have fun along the way, we’d love to have you join us.

Ready to get involved? Submit your application by Monday, Aug. 24 ▶ juniorwelfare.org/join-jwa

05/15/2026

Since 1938, Junior Welfare Association has been dedicated to improving the economic, educational, and social well-being of the Macon County community through volunteer service and financial assistance. For the past 10 years, this commitment has included awarding scholarships to goal-oriented Macon County seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a strong record of service.

This year, JWA proudly awarded four scholarships to exceptional Macon County seniors who exemplify a passion for volunteerism and community engagement. Congratulations to our 2026 JWA Senior Scholarship recipients:

✨ Grace Gorden
Meridian High School

✨ Kamryn Johnson
MacArthur High School

✨ Ashley Schelling
Meridian High School

✨ Eleanor Short
Mount Zion High School

Young Leaders in Action