We are 23,000 members in 120 chapters nationwide focused on making our communities a better place to live.
Assistance League in the Community
We are all saddened to see the effects of Hurricane Harvey on the residents of Texas. The National Board has established a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to help support our chapters in their efforts to help their communities through Operation School Bell® and other programs.
Your donations will give our chapters additional funding to dress children, provide nutritional support, hygiene supplies and school supplies and to respond to other community needs caused by the hurricane.
You can be assured that your donation will go directly to our Texas chapters to help them respond to this extraordinary need. Your tax-deductible donation will be acknowledged for your records.
Anita
Anita Friesen
National President
Assistance League
Find a Chapter or Thrift Shop
million people served
million dollars returned to local communities
million hours of volunteer service
News from our Chapters
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.
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.
