The Travelers Aid movement began in 1851, when St. Louis philanthropist and former mayor Bryan Mullanphy established a fund to assist travelers heading west. That pioneering effort laid the foundation for what is recognized as America’s oldest non-sectarian social welfare movement.

By the late 1800s, Travelers Aid societies had formed in cities across North America, providing protection, guidance, and practical assistance to women traveling alone, immigrants arriving in unfamiliar communities, unaccompanied children, and others facing vulnerability while in transit.

Recognizing the need for a unified mission, Grace Hoadley Dodge brought local Travelers Aid leaders together, leading to the formation of the National Travelers Aid Association in 1917. From the beginning, the movement embraced a simple but enduring belief: everyone deserves safe passage, compassionate support, and access to the resources they need.

Travelers Aid Today

Today, Travelers Aid International unites a network of community-based social service organizations and airport traveler assistance programs across North America and Australia. Together, we help millions of people each year by providing compassionate assistance, crisis intervention, accessibility support, resource navigation, and connections to vital community services.

As travel and communities continue to evolve, so do we—building stronger airport partnerships, expanding traveler assistance programs, and strengthening our member network to ensure that wherever people are on their journey, help is never far away.

For nearly 175 years, Travelers Aid has remained true to its mission: providing a helping hand along the way.