Assisteens

In 2021-2022 there were 19 Assisteens, from Seven different High Desert Schools, who served over 1,200 volunteer hours.

These young people assisted with Chapter philanthropic programs and helped in the Thrift Shop. They provided help to the High Desert Domestic Violence and Better Way Shelter, donating clothes, socks and Halloween goodie bags along with beautiful Easter baskets. In addition, they supported our Chapter programs by helping to set up the Annual Christmas Sale, holding a pie and coffee event to support our ACTION! Week literacy program, assembling grooming kits for Operation School Bell, and making Easter baskets to be sold in the Thrift Shop.

Assisteens, through their Teens Helping Teens program, provide full-size grooming products, along with socks, shoes, shaving kits, blankets, masks and a beautiful bag, to the teens in need in the High Desert.

And last, but not least, they hold an Annual Mad Hatter Tea and Fashion Show. Always a huge success!

This year, Assisteens proudly celebrated the graduation of two High School seniors—Congratulations!!!!

Our young members are our future, and from what we have seen and experienced with our Assisteens, we can feel good and be proud.

History

Assistance League Founder, Anne Banning, always felt that it was fine to serve youth, but better to let youth serve. So, in the 1930’s she called on the daughters and granddaughters of Assistance League members to assist in various philanthropic programs.

We are proud to continue to encourage and provide volunteer opportunities for today’s youth. Assisteens membership is open to young people (boys and girls) in grades 7 to 12. The aims of participation are to develop a sense of community responsibility, self-reliance, personal responsibility, poise, public speaking and leadership skills.

We are looking for teens who are interested in serving their community through volunteer service and fundraising activities. Assisteens support their own philanthropic programs, as well as the programs of Assistance League of Victor Valley.

Membership

Presently, Assisteens membership is open to students in grades 7 to 12. Each member will complete a minimum of 30 service hours during the year. Volunteer hours include meeting times, fundraising activities and community service.

Philanthropic Programs

The Assisteens philanthropic programs and activities include:

Work in Assistance League Thrift Shop and Operation School Bell^®
Prep the grooming kits for Operation School Bell
Provide Christmas gifts for children in shelters during the holidays
Create Easter baskets to sell in the Thrift Shop
Invite a guest speaker for the January and February meetings
Continue the “Lets Can-Can” year-long food drive program
Participate in Teens Helping Teens – This program allows Assisteens to help teens in need attending Apple Valley High Schools, utilizing the help of Apple Valley Unified School Districts Family Center. This year, Assisteens provided 110 hygiene bags, including full-size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, and comb. At the request of the Family Center, Assisteens added much needed socks to each zippered bag given out, as well as new shoes and winter coats. Duffle bags have been purchased to give to these teens for next year

Fundraising to support these activities

Organize and hold our annual “Mad Hatter Tea and Fashion Show”
Participate in the Chapter’s Annual Fundraiser by auctioning off their “Trivia-thinking Brains”
Additional fundraisers throughout the year assist with membership activities and programs

We are so proud of our Assisteens! Working with our Grant Committee they learned yet another new skill…how to successfully apply for their own grant to support their philanthropic program, “Teens Helping Teens”. They have been awarded $2500 from The Inland Empire Community Foundation, Youth Grantmakers!

Brooke Ratliff, 2021-2022 Chairman of Assisteens (pictured left), showing her appreciation for this generous grant!

Meetings

Assisteens meet the second Monday of the month, September through May. Social Time is 5:30 p.m. and the meeting or project at 6:00 p.m. Assisteens governing body meets the same Monday, one hour prior to the regular meeting. Members are expected to attend all meetings. Meetings are held at Assistance League chapter office, 22021 Outer Highway 18 South, Apple Valley, CA.

Additional Opportunities

Membership opportunities include interacting and working together with teens from different schools, holding leadership board positions, attending the National Leadership Conference, letters of recommendation for college applications and an overwhelming good feeling of giving back to their community.