Assistance League® of Inland North County

I am very impressed with Assistance League of Inland North County. With our charitable donations from ReThread Kids' Charity, I have gotten to seen first hand at how the clothes are organized and distributed. Their volunteer staff is amazing and their philanthropies are so helpful for those students going into nursing school and other programs. This League is a self sustaining league. They receive and in turn give back to the community and that's what it is all about. They have my highest rating as a nonprofit and I am honored to know them through my family's charity.

I do volunteering at Inland North County Thrift Shop and enjoy the other members I work with along with our customers. There is always something new and different to find. It's a pleasure to see items discarded by one person viewed as a treasure to another. Many times I learn about items and cultures I knew nothing about. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming to all. We get to know the regulars and find joy in seeing new customers discover us. The bargains can't be beat! It's a great Thrift Shop!

I walked into this thrift shop just to check it out and immediately felt that I was in such a fun and friendly environment. I learned about all the wonderful things this organization does for our community. I just had to join in! Now I’m a member and love working here and helping out with the great activities.

I have been a member of Assistance League of Inland North County since 2016. Our membership enables our Thrift Shop to be open for the community and the money it earns goes directly back to the community aiding in the clothing of children, scholarships for college, nursing programs and tech schools. We have groups that donate packed duffel bags for foster and homeless students, a knitting group that makes hats and blankets for newborns at Palomar Health, and of course the many members who sort through all our donations and make the shop the best in north county. It is a wonderfully diverse group of women who happily work on the many projects available. We are always welcoming new members as well as accepting donations.

Assistance League of Inland North County is a nonprofit that is committed to supporting the students of our school district. It is a great pleasure to work with them in the Operation School Bell Program where families in our school district are able to shop for clothing for school. Families are always very appreciative, and being in the store on the shopping days is truly a special treat! The volunteers are happily helping the students shop and the students are excited to be getting some great items. Not only do they support our students with OSB, but they also serve as reading tutors. Their dedication to improving the reading skills of the students is something the teachers truly appreciate! To promote a love of reading, they also have hosted a guest author in our schools. The students learn a great deal listening to the author's path to becoming an author of children's books. Finally, I love shopping at their Thrift Store! It is the best thrift store in town! The programs they run benefit from their sales, so I make sure to send everyone to their store!

As a member of this chapter for 12 years, we continue to do amazing things to help our community! With our Thrift Shop to raise money, we return the money back to children and families in need. We are all volunteers and ready to help wherever we can. Each year, we provide school clothes and shoes to about 2,000 students in grades Preschool-12. Also, we support foster and homeless youth with supplies to go out on their own when they are 18. Our literacy programs provide books, one on one tutoring and an author visit to preschool and elementary students. The Assisteens Program gives students in grades 7-12 an opportunity to earn community service hours while learning leadership skills. Check out our website for more information: assistanceleague.org/inland-north-county

For 75 years, Palomar College has been educating the people who are the future of our communities.

The college is deeply dedicated to providing access to a college education, which is why support from the Assistance League of Inland North County has proved crucial.

A college education is the pathway to personal, professional, and financial success. That success, in turn, is the strength of our North County communities. Palomar College Foundation is proud of its mission to remove financial barriers to higher education, and very grateful for the support from the Assistance League of Inland North County that is helping make our mission possible.

It is my esteemed pleasure and honor to celebrate and sing the praises of the generous members of ALINC! They have volunteered and devoted countless hours of their time to our children, families and staff at North County Community Services, Growing Minds. We provide Early Education Programs to children ages 0 through 5 years old. The wonderful team at ALINC share their time with the children by reading to them and engaging in crafts and art projects as well. They have been so generous as to provide clothing, back packs, school supplies, shoes and a holiday Toy Drive. We are so fortunate to partner with such a heartfelt and kindhearted organization. Their goodness has made a profound impact on the lives of our children, staff and families. We are truly honored and blessed to be the fortunate recipients of the generosity and support of ALINC!

~ Susan Niemi
Executive Director
North County Community Services, Growing Minds
Early Education Programs

I joined this chapter 2 years ago, looking for something rewarding to do in my retirement. I never imagined how much I would love working with all the amazing women at this organization. I am so proud of all the work we do to help our local community, AND we all have such fun doing it! The Thrift Shop is one of the best in North San Diego - many of our customers comment on how much fun they have shopping here and interacting with our all volunteer staff.

The Assitance League provides a unique and valued service to Escondido. My 99 year old mother loves to donate and shop here. It gives her a personal experience with the caring staff available. My wife and I go here as our go-to place for all of our donations. I enjoy shopping the electronic do dads boxes for rare cables. The AL is a local treasure!

The Assistance League (AL) serves the North Inland area of San Diego County. They are a non-profit organization that generates revenue from fundraising and proceeds from their thrift shop. My connection to them is that they have proven to be an excellent partner in saving lives, literally. I work for a public safety-based organization that helps install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public places. Not only does the AL serve as a model in the community by having an AED at their thrift shop and training all of their staff, but it is my understanding they have also made a generous donation to their local police department that will equip the majority of their officer patrol vehicles with AEDs. This is an incredible grant to help make the community and the officers safer. Research in our field suggests that law enforcement officials are among the most important people to carry AEDs because they can save lives. Most departments, however, cannot afford this costly equipment. The AL saw a need and filled it. In terms of our connection with AL, they are a worthy partner.

Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District is very appreciative of the Assistance League Operation School Bell that provides clothing from Kohls and Shoes from Payless - These are a few comments from our needy families who received the voucher for this Saturday.

Mother of four children from Pauma School, said that she was grateful and she appreciated the thoughtful gesture this program does for the families.
Female - Kinder
Male - 2nd grade
Female - 4th grade
Male - 4th grade

2. Mother of two children. One at the VC Primary and one at VC Elementary. She was almost in tears, because they are going through tough times and this program has made a difference for her two boys.
Male - 2nd grade
Male - 5th grade

3. Single mother of 5. Two attend VC schools. One at the Primary and one at the Elementary. The others are younger at home. She was overjoyed. She said that she didn't buy them new clothes for the school year. This would help them feel good about themselves.
Male - Kinder
Female - 3rd grade

4. Grandfather of three children at Pauma School, said the program that this offers was so appreciated. He took in five of his grandchildren and this has made him so happy. He can't wait to see their reaction.
Male - 3rd grade
Male - 4th grade
Male - 5th grade

5. Mother of two children who attend VC, said that this is a wonderful program and that people who brought it all together are ANGELS. Her husband is the bread winner for the family of 5. Thanks!!!

My name is Mike Loarie. I am a Captain at the Escondido Police Department and Second In-Command. I have been working at EPD for almost 29 years, and I have been a resident of Escondido for 27 years.

During my career, I have had many occasions to work with the Assistance League of Inland North County. It started with participating on an advisory board and work with Operation School Bell many years ago. It continues when I make personal donations to their storefront. I choose them because I know their business plan has the best intentions, and I have seen the results. They are wonderful. They care about our community. As a resident, that means a great deal to me.

I have worked with many nonprofit organizations during my career, and the Assistance League of Inland North County has been incredible. The members are committed to substantial improvement, they are friendly, and they are professional. There may be some as good as the Assistance League of Inland North County, but there certainly is none better.

In late 2015, EPD was approached by the Assistance League of Inland North County with an offer we simply could not refuse. The Assistance League wanted to purchase something for us that would help our officers in the field to save lives - Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The AED is a proven life-saving device for heart attack patients.

We took delivery of 17 AEDs and deployed them into the field so that officers patrolling the area of Escondido would have them readily available. Our officers have a response time that is sometimes faster than the Escondido Fire Department because they are already in the field and not the Fire Station. When an officer can be on-scene minutes before the Fire Department, chances of survival of a patient increase exponentially.

We have yet to be able to report that the AEDs have saved a life, but I can absolutely tell you that it is a matter of time before that will happen. Had it not been for the generous donation, we may not have this type of equipment in our police vehicles and deployed 7/24.

I am sure there are many other contributions and stories that can be told about the Assistance League of Inland North County. I just do not know what they are; however, I am certain they exist.
We all can learn from the generosity that the staff at the Assistance League of Inland North County displays. The leadership to do something about a problem, the commitment to make the community better, and the willingness to donate time and talent is what comes to my mind when I think about the wonderful crew who make up our local Assistance League.

Best,

Michael J. Loarie
Captain

This resource has been so helpful in our little town of Fallbrook ( Fallbrook Union Elementary School District) . We have a very high number of children/families who struggle to make ends meet and many live in poverty.
Every year, for the past 7 years, I have been impressed. My families that have been referred always come to me afterward and are so thankful. Its not often that they receive that level of assistance. Considering that many are simply trying to put food on the table it really comes as quite a surprise and is truly a blessing.
In addition, the folks that work there are SOOO helpful. They kindly accommodated a student after I made an error and added a person over my limit.

So kind and so helpful! Thank you Assistance League of Inland North County!!

Sincerely,
Krista Alexander - RN, BSN , Healthcare Specialist, La Paloma Elementary

Thank you Assistance League of Inland North County!!! Poway Unified School district and the Assistance League have had a partnership for many years now to support homeless students and families in our district. Every year, the Assistance League holds a shopping event "Operation School Bell." OSB is a great event that provides our homeless students and families with new shoes and clothing for school. The new clothing and shoes help our students feel supported and confident. Thank you Assistance League of Inland North County for supporting homeless students in Poway Unified!!!

Judy Davis and the Assistance League of Inland have been great with our families and the services they have provided. ALINC has a trauma-informed approach that allows families to walk into events and thrift store and feel comfortable. Majority of our families are facing many barriers and we strive to connect them to agencies like ALINC that is understanding and mindful of what are families are experiencing. We have had years of great support from ALINC and we feel very fortunate. ALINC is a perfect model for other agencies.

For over 10 years, I have had the pleasure of working with members of the Assistance League of Inland North County in connection with support for the foster teens of San Pasqual Academy. The Assistance League has played a vital role in providing the graduates of San Pasqual Academy with the opportunity to continue their education and be prepared for life after high school. Through scholarships for the graduates, the Assistance League has not let financial need keep a deserving foster teen from going onto college.
Thanks to the support of the Assistance League of Inland North County, over 100 foster teens have been able to ‘go to college’—a feat that is rare in the foster care system. The members of the Assistance League also outfit every graduating senior with a ‘duffel bag’ of essential items to ensure the kids are properly equipped to start school in their dorm or apartment. The duffle bags contain microwave oven, hygiene products, towels, dinnerware, toaster oven, kitchen utensils, and many more essentials; all the items that a traditional family would provide to their graduating senior who is off to college or their first job.
I have personally observed the wonderful results of the Assistance League of Inland North County’s involvement in the lives of the foster teens. Foster teens supported by the Assistance League scholarships have completed their university studies and are productive citizens—going against the national statistics where only 1% of foster teens graduate from college.
The Assistance League of Inland North County continues to make a significant difference in the lives of the foster teens of San Diego County.

The Assistance League of Inland North County is a shining nonprofit in their community. Their membership and leadership is dedicated to addressing the needs and positively impacting the lives of so many young people. They are dedicated to the organizations they partner with and serve in efforts to change young lives.

The Assistance League of Inland North County has been a long time supporter of our nursing students here at Palomar College. Their commitment and partnership with the Palomar College Foundation and our students has made the difference in over 250 students' lives who have the desire and passion to succeed but not necessarily the financial means. They have supported Palomar College since 2008. In 2017, they increased their commitment to student success by adding an Emergency Medical/Paramedic scholarship here at Palomar College. An exceptional group of women that is entirely volunteer-run.

I am thrilled to report that the Assistance League of Inland North County in San Diego County has been supplying our hospital, Palomar Health, with teddy bears in their "Hug-a-Bear" program for many, many years. Children are comforted in the Emergency Department, the Laboratory, and Pediatric Unit at both hospital campuses, in Escondido and Poway. No sooner are the huge boxes emptied out, then they are delivering more boxes. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Assistance League year after year! Thank you!

Assistance League of Inland North County in 2013-2014 returned $361,864 to help meet special needs of area residents. Eleven philanthropic programs operated by volunteers touched the l ives of over 9135 children and adults. This is an amazing organization with no paid employees.

You could feel the anticipation in the air as Kohl’s, San Marcos, opened its doors to Operation School Bell, Assistance League Inland North County’s school clothes program for children in need. Inland North County provides teens and children with a $100.00 Kohl’s gift card, which is kept at the register until they check out at the counter. The excitement of the children, smiles on the faces of their parents and guardians, and sometimes tears in the eyes of the volunteers, make this a special time for all. Approximately 1400 children received gift cards.

The Assistance League volunteers have been reading to the 5th grade students at our school for years. This year, I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Paley as my class reader. Her attention, interest, and teaching style provided invaluable benefit to my students. They gained confidence, fluency, and a love of reading. This generous outpouring of time and energy was an outstanding gift to our class as a whole. Mrs. Paley donated countless hours of her time. The Assistance League also provided books for the children and arranged for a noted author to speak to all of the students in our school. We can't thank you enough for your time and caring. We hope to pay it forward in the future.

This organization is constantly giving back to the community and the kids schools. There are numerous programs that not only clothe young kids but teach young girls about what it takes to take care of babies.
This is an all voluntary organization. A.L.'s Thrift store is not like your typical thrift store. It carries quality items, whether it be clothing or toys or furniture and still at thrift store prices. And all the money goes back into their helpful programs. They are definitely a community non-profit service organization.

I received an email today notifying me that the Assistance League of Inland North County had given a generous donation to buy books for our middle school library. California school libraries used to be funded at a flat $20 per student. Currently, funding is at the principal's discretion, and is often under $1000 per school. My budget just doubled, thanks to the donation from the Assistance League! My students are avid readers, and several of them helped me at lunch time today, pouring through reviews to be sure we spent our money wisely.

I love the work that they do, and can't wait to visit their newly updated thrift store. Kudos to them for helping so many local children!

Assistance League has been quite active at the elementary school at which I teach. We have several volunteers here on campus assisting multiple grade levels. My volunteer spends a half hour each week reading with and helping my students grow academically. Sometimes I have a child who I know needs a little extra TLC and she is always there, ready to give them her full attention. Part of my reading program requires that students be able to recognize and read basic sight words. If it weren't for my volunteer being able to listen to each of them read these words, they would not be the stellar readers they are now. Additionally, she also helps them with a multitude of other things, such as math, handwriting, writing, and reading books for AR tests. I am fortunate that my volunteer is a retired teacher and can help me assess students as well. Assistance League provides invaluable support to my students!

Our volunteer worked with our 5 first grade classes every week for half a day. She helped them improve their reading fluency and vocabulary. It was so valuable also because she was able to work with students that needed separate one on one assistance like English learners and students below grade level. I am so appreciative of all her help.

I have an Assistance League volunteer help me for a half an hour a week in my classroom. It may not seem like a lot of time but for the students that they touch it is more than enough! One of the best things is that many of the volunteers are former teachers. They understand what is needed for the students they work with. I especially put them with my students that need that one on one help. I have seen so much growth in the students that my volunteer helped. My students also get the added benefit of the generosity of the group during Christmas. Each child in first grade received 2 books. What a great gift! This group also donates an author assembly each year to expose our K-5 school to reading and writing.

The Assistance League of Inland North County has been supporting the readers at our Elementary school for a decade and we are so blessed that they do! Every year thoughtful, caring members come into our classes and spend time reading with our kids on a one-on-one basis. I cannot adequately express what a fabulous impact this attention and shared love of reading have on our kids! Every Christmas and at the end of each school year they make sure every student they've read with goes home with 2 wonderful books of their very own. Thank you, Connie Etheridge and all the fantastic volunteers for your kind support! You guys rock!!

Assistance League of Inland North County has been extremely helpful in the coordination and funding of bringing an author to our site. They have also provided our students with books and dictionaries. As Principal and on behalf of my students and staff I would like to thank them for their commitment and collaboration. Their willingness to travel to our site is completely appreciated.

Our school has been fortunate enough to have childrens author come to the school and talk with the children. Without the help of Connie Etheridge our school would never be able to affort such a wonderful treat for the students. Not only do they pay for the author, they also buy their books and donate them to the library. All we can say is they are awesome, fantastic and very supportive of education.

This all volunteer organization clothed over 2, 000 school children in need in 2010-2011 with new clothing!

I was the fortunate recipient of a scholarship from this wonderful organization and I cannot thank them enough! It enabled me to continue my studies in college and eventually become a Registered Nurse. Their assistance really meant a lot to me and I hope they continue to provide scholarships to college students. Since they were so helpful to me, I'm thinking of joining this great organization.

As a member of this organization since 1995 I have found much joy and many rewards in working on philanthropies and helping to enrich the lives of those less fortunate. Over 214 chapters throughout the nation do the same through their varied philanthropies. I am proud to be a member of Assistance League and a part of giving back to the community. In order to support our philanthropies we have a wonderful Thrift Store that is stocked with donations from the community.

What a fabulous group of people! As a classroom teacher, I have been blessed with volunteer readers from this outstanding organization for the past 8 years. The kindness and caring they bring to each student with whom they read, is exceptional. My Assistance League readers have generously shared their time and love of reading with my second grade students and I see the positive effects of this on a daily basis. When one of my readers comes into the classroom the kids can't wait to see if it's their turn to be the lucky reader. The world would be a better place if there were more groups like The Assistance League of North Inland County!

The Assistance League offers a stupendous thrift shop on Valley Parkway in Escondido to help fund their beneficial endeavors. I have also seen the inspiration to students at the local Conway Elementary School when the AL brings authors to share their talents. This is a wonderful organization to support.

I have been a recipient of support from the Assistance League of Inland North County. The last two years, they have brought children's books authors to our school to encourage kids to read. The quality of the authors has been amazing and our students have enjoyed and benefited from the authors' presentations. Thank you Assistance League of Inland North County, and a special thanks to Connie Etheridge for all her hard work and support.