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
Assistance League in the Community
The Season of Thanks
As the holiday season is fast approaching, one oftentimes thinks about our many blessings and possible avenues for giving back. Assistance League is entirely focused on giving back and positively impacting our local communities. Assistance League’s main philanthropic program, Operation School Bell®, positively impacts students’ self-esteem, providing supplemental school clothes for many children who have never owned a new item of clothing. While working directly with local students, volunteers have also received the many feel-good moments that come from impacting the lives of children. Along the way, great friendships have been built among 22,000 members that span 120 chapters. Stories abound in chapter after chapter from women who have met each other and become best friends though may not have crossed paths had it not been for Assistance League. These women have also stood shoulder-to-shoulder volunteering in their chapter’s Thrift Shop. They have had the opportunity to experience serving customers who are able to purchase high-quality gently-used merchandise that they may not otherwise be able to afford. As such, season after season, the women of the Assistance League chapters know that even the smallest donation can made such a huge difference in the lives of so many. So whether it is becoming a member, volunteering alongside other like-minded women or donating quality merchandise to the thrift shop, the many chapters of Assistance League impact the lives of those in the organization as well as those in the communities surrounding the chapters.
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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.
