In 1915, Jaycee founder Henry Giessenbier and the other members of the St. Louis Dancing Federation met to form the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association. This was the first step in creating what has become known as the United States Jaycees. In 1916, the YMPCA changed its name to the Junior Citizens at the request of Clarence H. Howard, a St. Louis industrialist and early benefactor of the organization. The shortened version of Junior Citizens JCs became the prominent trademark of this organization for forward-looking young men. In 1918 the group became known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The Milford Jaycees is the fifth oldest chapter in the State of Connecticut.The chapter was born on November 18, 1949 with the aid of the Bridgeport Jaycees, becoming the thirteenth chapter in Connecticut. As the nature of the United States Jaycees changed, so did that of the Milford chapter. The Milford Jaycees Wives formed to complement the activities of the Milford Jaycees. After 6 years, in 1955, this group became the Milford Jaycee Women. For many years both groups spread the benefits of the Jaycee concept in Milford. Then, with the change in United States Jaycees by-laws, in 1985 the two organizations merged to form today's Milford Jaycees.