Travelers Aid Association of America

The National Travelers Aid Association was founded in 1917 to provide nonsectarian services to travelers by fostering coordination and cooperation on a national level. It grew out of programs operated by the YWCA and other organizations to provide protection for young women moving to industrial areas to seek employment. The records show the broadening of services from young women to families and transients during the Depression and to servicemen and their families during World War II.

The National Travelers Aid Association was founded on April 26, 1917, as a "non-sectarian, non-commercial protective and preventive organization" to provide service to travelers by fostering coordination and cooperation on a national level. It grew out of programs for travelers formed by the YWCA, Catholic Women's Leagues, Councils of Jewish Women, Kings Daughters and other sectarian groups to provide protection for young women moving to industrial areas to seek employment. Travelers Aid services expanded from young women to families and transients during the Great Depression and to servicemen and their families during World War II.

Grace Hoadley Dodge was instrumental in developing non-sectarian service in New York and in coordinating efforts to establish a national association. She founded the Non-Sectarian Committee for Travelers Aid in New York in 1905 and served as president of the Travelers Aid Society of New York, incorporated in 1907 to continue the work of the Non-Sectarian Committee. In 1911, the New York Society established a "Department of National Cooperation" which evolved into the national association.