Mission: Assistance league volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Programs: Operation school bell is a program that began in 1975 to provide needy students referred by local schools with new, age appropriate clothing and shoes. Providing the opportunity for students to shop for school clothes increases their self-esteem and makes them more excited about attending school. During the fiscal year 2017-2018, 2,761 students in grades k-12 were clothed. Serving homeless students has been an addition to and an important part of our program since 2010. Since the beginning of this program, over 42,000 students have been clothed.
operation new beginnings provides clothing and other essentials from our thrift store for adults and children with a need. They are referred from sources such as project self sufficiency, care, interval house, build futures and the huntington beach youth shelter. Operation new beginnings also supports golden west college's and coastline community college's veterans resource center and provides scholarships to veterans. This support helps veterans meet their educational goals. Scholarships are also provided to single parents to assist with the cost of schooling while working and raising children. Operation new beginnings has positively affected the lives of 667 people in our community this fiscal year.
links to learning began in 2008 to provide awards and support to our local schools to help fund enrichment programs. Elementary and middle school teachers who qualify are awarded up to 500 to purchase items such as books, interactive technologies, and enrichment programs which will enhance the learning experience for their students. This fiscal year 261 grants were awarded enabling 11,000 children to be positively affected by this program.
all other service and programs offered 2017-2018 scholarships - part of our philanthropy is to provide our local community the tools to achieve, among other things, greater economic independence. This year we awarded 38 scholarships to nursing students from our local community college and recent high school graduates to help them pursue higher education and job training. All recipients were selected based on need and had to meet strict academic criteria. Scholar's hope - sponsors a group of 50 at-risk students in a rigorous academic program that includes advanced studies, mentoring, leadership, and enrichment activities. High school seniors graduated from the program are awarded scholarships to the college of their choice. Junior lifeguard sponsorships - sponsors children in both the huntington beach city and huntington beach state junior lifeguard program, which teaches ocean and beach safety, lifesaving techniques, and swimming for children in our beach community who would not otherwise be able to participate. This year we awarded 35 scholarships. Operation bear hug - in collaboration with local hospitals and emergency centers, we distributed 1,392 teddy bears as comfort in times of personal trauma. Operation share - excess or unusable items that have been donated to the thrift store are given to other 501(c)(3) organizations in the community. Operation self esteem / silver anchor auxiliary hb hospital - our dreamcatchers auxiliary provides clothing, gifts and personal items to 100 clients in a medically supervised outpatient program at huntington beach hospital. Support our seniors - in conjunction with the senior center in central park, our dreamcatchers auxiliary provides 429 recipients with grocery certificates and/or bus passes and 100 holiday gift bags to huntington beach seniors in need. Alzheimer's family service center - provide 155 seniors various items to augment their goal of providing a daily schedule of stimulating therapeutic activities and exercises as funds allow. The center provides dreamcatchers with wish lists. Therapeutic riding center program - the dreamcatchers auxiliary provides 47 recipients scholarships to the therapeutic riding center for children and adults with disabilities who are in need of financial assistance. Birthday in a bag - the assisteens auxiliary provides the essentials (cake mix, frosting, paper plates, gift card & more) to help parents provide a birthday celebration for their children who might otherwise not have had one.
I have been a volunteer with this organization for two years. I have volunteered often in the Thrift Shop and for many of their philanthropy activities, i.e. Operation School Bell, Operation New Beginnings. This organization is staffed entirely by volunteers who are professional, friendly and very compassionate. It is evident by the many hours donated by the members that they care about helping the community. This Assistance League is a well run organization in all aspects. The leaders of the organization are committed to following the National ByLaws and being in compliance with all aspects of the bylaws. The members not only work hard by volunteering many hours of their time to give back to the community but they also place having fun and making new friends a high priority.
I have been a volunteer for four years and am always amazed that this all volunteer organization accomplishes so much for our community. It all begins with the donations we get from people in the community. The donations are sorted, tagged, and displayed in the Assistance League Thrift Shop at 8071 Slater, Huntington Beach. All funds raised at the thrift shop go to support philanthropic programs to improve the quality of life for children and adults in our community. We give scholarships to high school graduates, nursing students, and veterans. Several times a year we cloth school children through Target. Dentists volunteer their time to screen children and we do dental awareness assemblies. These are only a few of the many programs we have. I like to say that we have the time to help and with our combined hours volunteering at the shop we are making a difference in the lives of so many people. And, it all begins with the donations we get from people in the community. xx, j.m.
I visited the ALHB Thrift Shop, and was impressed with the quality of the products for sale. The volunteers were so warm and helpful. This is a great way to shop for a good deal and support the local community.
This organization is run by a very compassionate, highly organized, group of members who donate so much of their time working in the Thrift Shop and participating in some of several Philanthropic groups.
The Thrift Shop is a beautiful example of what is done with the many donations brought in. It is beautiful, colorful, with a very cheerful, welcoming atmosphere. Many clients are referred by homeless organizations, shelters and churches for help in obtaining free clothing and household goods.
It is located in a lower income neighborhood, where families can easily access some great buys with pride.
The members are hard-working and cheerful. I am proud to be a board member of this Charitable group!
