Assistance League of Ventura County

Assistance League of Ventura County

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805-643-2458 | office@assistanceleagueventuracounty.org

About Us

Our services are locally designed, organized and carried out to fit local needs.

Strategic Plan

Commitment

We believe that providing compassionate and caring services to individuals in communities across the nation is the standard and the primary measure of our organization. We believe we exist for the sole purpose of providing philanthropic services to meet the challenges posed by a diverse array of compelling individual and community needs.

Leadership

We believe that the full measure of our leaders and members is the sum of the products of their vision, professionalism, ethics, sensitivity and the quality of responsiveness to individual needs.

Ethics

We believe that integrity and authenticity in communication and action best demonstrate the most basic, intrinsic values held by member volunteers of this organization.

Accountability

We believe that full accountability is the responsibility of our leaders and members, and is an appropriate expectation of this organization by those who support Assistance League’s work and those who receive its services. We believe that this responsibility demands and drives prudent fiscal and physical management, transparent internal and external relationships, viable program assessment and reasoned evaluation of personnel and organizational performance.

Respect

We believe in the intrinsic value of those we serve and of those with whom we serve. We believe that we can best demonstrate our respect for this value by providing fair and equitable treatment for our member and community volunteers, the recipients of our services and our donors and funders.

23,000 nationwide members and growing

As part of a national philanthropic organization, Assistance League of Ventura County represents one of the most incredibly generous and imaginative groups. We are highly motivated to effect change in Ventura County because we have a personal stake in the outcome. And we have the spirit to get the job done, whatever it is and whatever it takes.

Grantors

  • Annenberg Foundation

  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Foundation

  • Stephen & Mary Birch Foundation

  • Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation

  • CAPTRUST Community Foundation

  • City of Ventura

  • Dr. Maxine Crossley Endowment Fund

  • Dignity Health

  • Fred C. Ferro Charitable Trust

  • Gene Haas Foundation

  • Hilford Moving and Storage

  • Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
  • Limoneira Fund Foundation

  • Molina Foundation

  • Montecito Bank & Trust

  • National Charity League

  • Rebozo Festival, Inc.

  • Ellen Orthwine Reeds Family Trust

  • Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation

  • Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation

  • Martin V. & Martha M. Smith Foundation

  • Sun Fund – Ventura County Community Foundation

  • Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation

  • Union Pacific Foundation

  • Ventura County

  • Walmart Foundation

  • Weingart Foundation

Help Assistance League in Transforming Lives – Strengthening Community

  • Donate new or slightly used merchandise to Assistance League Bargain Box
  • Make an in-kind donation to a philanthropic program
  • Become a member of Assistance League
  • Make a monetary donation to Assistance League

Our History

Assistance League of Ventura County, a chapter of National Assistance League, is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.

Celebrating more than 70 years of community service

Founded in 1949 as the Women’s Progressive League, the league was chartered as a chapter of National Assistance League in 1950.

For more than 70 years, Assistance League of Ventura County has made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of children in our community. During the fiscal year ending April 30, 2022, more than 2,606 children and adults benefitted from the seven philanthropic programs that are managed and supported by the more than 172 Assistance League chapter member volunteers. Because of their generous efforts, 82%* of all money raised through fundraising activities goes directly to supporting chapter programs.

*Because of COVID-19 our ability to support our philanthropies (both in person and financially) during 2020-2022 decreased from previous years.

1954 - Girls Club/Teen Club

Girls Club offered a variety of creative activities for girls six to twelve. Teen Club was geared for pre-teen girls and teenagers. The after-school and summer programs were designed to develop academic achievement, self-confidence, and self-respect and to provide enrichment and supervision. Girls Club/Teen Club was closed in 2020.

1956 - Bargain Box

The primary fundraiser for our chapter, the Bargain Box is an upscale/resale shop located at 3351 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA. The store was originally located in Oxnard and moved to Ventura in 1990. The funds from the Bargain Box support chapter philanthropies.

1957 - Twelve O'Clockers Auxiliary

Members staffed the Bargain Box four days a month and provided birthday cakes for the girls attending Girls Club/Teen Club. In addition, proceeds from the organization’s annual Authors Luncheon benefitted chapter programs. The Auxiliary was dissolved in 2009.

1960 - Assistance League School

Professionally staffed by the organization and accredited by the State of California, the school provided special educational programs and therapy for preschool children with developmental delays. The chapter assumed financial control and management of the school in 1960 and ran it until they closed it in 2022.

1962 - Las Patronas Auxiliary

Originally founded in December, 1958, when the first Debutante Presentation Ball was held, Las Patronas officially became an auxiliary in 1962. The members held an annual presentation ball, honoring young women throughout Ventura County until 2020 when the Auxiliary was dissolved.

1964 - Academic Scholarship Program

The first Academic Scholarship program was created by the Elliot Family Trust to benefit eligible students who transfer to a 4-year college. Current day scholarships include the Dorothy and Al Stacey Scholarship Fund, the ALVC Re-Entry Scholarship and the Vivian Johnson Scholarship.

1989 - B.U.F.F.Y. Bear

Cuddly bears with the B.U.F.F.Y. message, Bears Understand Friends, Feelings and You are distributed to comfort and reassure children experiencing traumatic situations via first responders throughout Ventura County.

1989 - Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary

Certified in 1990, meetings are held in the evenings. The organization’s fundraising events support chapter philanthropic programs.

1993 - Operation School Bell®

Operation School Bell provides gift cards, school supplies, personal grooming kits and an age-appropriate book to disadvantaged children in the Oxnard, Hueneme, Ocean View, Briggs and Ventura school districts. The program has successfully strengthened the self-confidence, school attendance and scholastic achievement of participating students.

2001 - Assault Survivor Kits®

Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary expanded its philanthropic efforts to include the distribution of Assault Survivor Kits. Victims of sexual assault and abuse are given emergency clothing and personal supplies.

2010 - Assisteens® Auxiliary

Membership is open to young men and women entering 7th through 12th grades. Members are responsible for a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service annually. Meetings are held monthly from September to May.

2012 - Teens Helping Teens

Established in 2012 by the Assisteens Auxiliary in collaboration with the Homeless and Foster Youth Family Liaison with Student Support Services for the Ventura Unified School District, Teens Helping Teens provides homeless teens and teens in foster care with hygiene items, food gift cards and other essentials.

2021 - Care Closet

In collaboration with Ventura County Children and Family Services, ALVC Care Closet serves resource families, “fragile” families, and youth who have aged out of the county care system by providing gently-used and new clothing, diapers, gift cards and home goods to the Ventura County Human Service's Agency's emergency care closet. County social workers can access these items for families and youth in need.