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We are over 22,000 members in 120 chapters nationwide focused on making our communities a better place to live.  See us in action.

Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

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Assistance League in the Community

Summer is here…

While many of our chapters go dark during the summer months, that does not mean we stop working at our thrift shops or stop working with our programs and serving the public.  Fundraising and providing services to our communities continues throughout the summer months.

One of our chapters takes advantage of the summer months for a special philanthropic program:  Summer School.  Assistance League of Flintridge Summer School classes are designed to present educational opportunities that are challenging, enriching, and creative. Many classes expose students to subjects not usually part of the academic curriculum of the regular school year.  Summer School is open to all students entering 1st through 8th grade and classes are for the “joy of learning.” There is no academic credit offered for classes taken at Assistance League of Flintridge Summer School.

As you are enjoying the warmth of summer, remember that many of our chapters are working in big and small ways to continue to warm the hearts of the people we serve.  Have a safe and happy summer!

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FORM A CHAPTER

1.6

million people served

$57.9

million dollars returned to local communities

3.5

million hours of volunteer service

News from our Chapters

18 Jun

Since 2013, the nonprofit Assistance League of Santa Barbara has given 40 scholarships to Santa Barbara County students representing more than $115,000. Students apply through the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, which selects qualified students based on academic grades and outstanding community service. Each year the scholarship committee honors current recipients with a reception that […]

13 Jun

Bill Brumbaugh, vice president and general manager of John Hine Temecula Subaru, likes to surprise Assistance League of Temecula Valley, and surprise them he did at the chapter’s annual meeting when he unveiled the proceeds – $34,722 – from the “Share the Love” campaign from November to January. This amount included $32,222 in donations from […]

10 Jun

Assistance League of Redlands recently its annual Adaptive Physical Education Awards Luncheons. The events, one for each of three age groups, celebrate the athletic achievements of approximately 275 students with disabilities from kindergarten through high school in the Redlands Unified School District, according to a press release from Assistance League. At the luncheons, the students […]

07 Jun

The end of the school year bring big smiles to most kids as summer break begins. But for kids at risk of hunger, the end of school, means the end of healthy meals they get every day. That is why today, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, launched this year’s Summer Feeding Program for Children. […]

Assisteens® Spotlight

HISTORY OF ASSISTEENS®

Assisteens is the youth auxiliary of Assistance League chapters.  Assisteens provides volunteer opportunities for young people in grades 7 through 12.  The goals are to develop a sense of community responsibility, self-reliance, personal responsibility, poise, public speaking, leadership skills and to support the chapter.  Assisteens raise money in a variety of ways to fund ongoing Assistance League and Assisteens philanthropic programs that benefit their community.

Assistance League was founded in 1919 by Anne (Mrs. Hancock) Banning and her friends, based on an informal charity in Los Angeles started in about 1894.  In the 1890s, social events raised money for local charitable giving. Assistance League, with Anne Banning and Ada Edwards (Mrs. Homer II) Laughlin and friends, provided money and clothing for the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire victims.  When the war started in Europe in 1914, Anne and her friends worked for the Red Cross and, in 1917, set up the Red Cross Shop that raised $150,000 in one year.  After the war ended in 1918, the ladies wanted to continue working together, helping people in need.

In 1919, Assistance League was formally organized, with Good Samaritan providing aid to returning veterans and their families and the Film Location Bureau raising the needed funds by renting private properties to movie companies.  Founding members were prominent women of Los Angeles of all faiths and political views.  In 1923, Assistance League moved to DeLongpre Avenue in Hollywood where the campus of Founder Chapter (Assistance League of Southern California) remains today. The motto was “All For Service and Service For All.”  Anne Banning felt that women worked best in like-minded groups, so auxiliaries were formed.  Day Nursery was added in 1924, followed by Girls’ Club, Theatre for Children, Toy Loan and Boys’ Club. Junior Auxiliary was formed in 1929 for post-college-aged young women.

Read the full history of Assisteens.

We Need Your Help

Join us! Become a part of an incredible group of volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference in your community. Assistance League offers unique volunteer opportunities that fit your interest and time.