Assistance League, founded in California, is the first nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization to recognize the potential of volunteers helping those less fortunate to a better, more meaningful life. The first chapter was formed in Los Angeles in 1919.  As the area grew, more chapters were formed.  To support the growing number of chapters, National Assistance League was organized in 1936 and incorporated in 1949.

Today, with 120 chapters and over 22,000 members throughout the United States, our members are what make us unique. Together we help people in need achieve a better quality of life. Nationally, more than 2.8 million volunteer service hours were given by Assistance League members which touched the lives of 1.4 million people.

Through the gift of service to their communities, Assistance League chapters continue to fulfill founder Anne Banning’s philosophy of volunteer service: “To act as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance, spiritually, materially and physically.”

Interest in forming a chapter in Mobile began in 1991. After several organizational meetings, Mobile was awarded status as a Guild in 1991. Assistance League of Mobile was granted status as a chapter in 1997, after raising sufficient funds to support one year of philanthropic programs becoming the 99^thchapter.

With a rich history of volunteers through personal service to our community, lives have been transformed. To better meet the needs in the Mobile community, Assistance League of Mobile currently supports three programs: Operation School Bell^®, Tender Loving Care and Assault Survival Kits^®.

Operation School Bell, a nationally-supported program conducted by every chapter, was activated in Mobile in 1994. Our program supports three Title 1 elementary schools in Mobile by providing uniforms and clothing to students in need. Readers Are Leaders supports literacy by reading to classes and by providing a summer reading book to each student in all three schools.

Since its inception in 1995, our Tender Loving Care program provides handmade therapy dolls to critically ill and traumatized children in area hospitals and the Child Advocacy Center.

In 1997, the Assault Survivor Kits program was adopted to provide personal hygiene kits and clothing to the Lifeline Rape Crisis Center for distribution to men, women and children who have been sexually assaulted. During 2015-16, two pieces of forensic equipment were also donated. This program is supported by many chapters.

In 2017-18, our 57 all-volunteer, dedicated members invested more than 3,540 volunteer hours valued at more than $87,760.Assistance League members have provided service to more than 183,000 children and adults in the Mobile area since the chapter was formed.

We invite you to discover more about our chapter and join us as we celebrate the power of the volunteer to evoke positive change in the world – beginning right here in Mobile.