About Us

The Junior Welfare League is an organization of women committed to serving and improving the quality of life for people living in York County and surrounding areas. 

History


In 1938, a group of 16 women formed a welfare committee to investigate the service needs of surrounding agencies and organizations. This was just the beginning of a long history of dedicated women brought together to service the community and provide funds for needed projects. 


In the 1940’s the League decided to build a children’s museum, the predecessor to today’s York County Museum. In 1963 the League donated the first incubator for the nursery at York General Hospital. In 1973 the League helped establish the Speech and Hearing Center which included renovating a house on Oakland Avenue. In a 20-year span League members screened almost 7,000 preschool children for amblyopia, an eye condition.  In 1983 the League sponsored 14 third graders at the YMCA Day Camp – one from each area elementary school. One of the biggest fundraisers organized by the League in the 1990’s was The Bargain Bonanza, or Trash to Treasure Sale. In the 2000’s the Junior Welfare League created the cook book, Tapestry, which benefitted Early Learning Partnership. Also organized in the 2000’s was the JeWeL Spring Market, one of the League’s largest major fundraiser that was later replaced with the Gobble Wobble Race/Walk raising hundred of thousands of dollars during its nine year run.


A piece of Junior Welfare League that cannot be overlooked is The Follies, a variety show created by league members in 1953. In 1964 The Follies became a part of the Come See Me Festival. By 1984 The Follies, as a part of Come See Me, included a cast of 84 people. In 1981 the Mayor of Rock Hill designated the week of March 2
nd, 1981 as “Follies Week.” The last Follies was held in 2001.


The League House, also known as Twice is Nice, is another JWL tradition that benefited the community from 1942 until 2017. More than just a thrift ship, Twice is Nice began as a “Well-Baby” Clinic where families could bring in their children to be checked by a doctor and given basic care items. Between 1951-1961 The Rock Hill Orthopedic School, a meeting place and therapy location for children unable to attend school, was located at The League House. In the 1970’s The League House served as a summer remedial reading center. In 1979 the Twice is Nice thrift shop opened with an initial profit of $244 and remained in operations until 2017.


Today, the League’s largest fundraiser is Frostbites. This event replaced the long-running Gobble Wobble race. Raising nearly one hundred thousand dollars in the first, two years. This sip and savor event has benefitted great local agencies and has continued to grown in popularity within our community.

Letter from the President

Welcome to the website of the Junior Welfare League of York County!

I am honored to serve as president of the Junior Welfare League of York County during it’s 86th year! The Junior Welfare League (JWL) has a strong history of service as an organization of women committed to improving the quality of life for the people of our community. As defined by our mission statement, we are dedicated to focusing on advocacy, health, education, and awareness of issues for those in our community. We welcome all women who value this mission and are committed to an inclusive environment for all individuals within our organization and community.

From a group of 16 women in 1938 with a common goal of welfare for the community, we have evolved into a strong organization dedicated to voluntarism and providing funds for needed projects in and around York County. In just over the past decade alone, we have given 1.4 MILLION dollars back to our community. I am thrilled and humbled to lead such an impressive group of women.

Thank you for your interest in our organization. I invite you to be a part of our work by becoming a sponsor, applying for a small or large grant, or joining our membership. If there is anything that I can do to help you learn more about the Junior Welfare League, please contact me.

~ Bernice Huskins

2024-2025 Board Members

 Executive Board: 

President – Bernice Huskins
Past President- Anna Grosschmidt
Vice President – Claire Palmieri
Director of Finance – Ashley Jascoviez
Secretary – Janelle Miskelly

FrostBites:

Chair- Katie Marshall
Co-Chair – Kathryn Poole
Treasurer – Amy Stokes
Silent Auction – Carolyn Wyrsch

Standing Committees:

General Fundraising –  Kathleen Shields
Social – Brittani Rayfield
Education- Lauren Butler & Elizabeth Welch
Admissions – Whitney Shea
Community Relations/Website – Sarah Morris & Erica White
Service –  Ali Young
Sustainer Rep – Amy Koontz