I was ten years old when my mother died from TB. My grandmother put up with me for almost 2 years before she "dumped me" in the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum in Boyle Heights. I was very angry at the time and feeling abandoned as we drove to Los Angeles from the central valley. But something changed when we went through the gates toward the towering building. A sense of peace came over me as we were greeted by Sr. Euphemia and welcomed. I grew to love the place, but the Tehachapi Earthquake damaged the old building and we sent out many letters asking for help to build a new facility on 15 acres of land Mrs. Doheny donated to the Sisters. Maryvale was built and we were all so excited when we finally got to move in. My dream was to go to college when I graduated from High School, so I threw away the list of classes Sr. Anne had given us to sign up for and signed up for college prep. Unfortunately, the report cards were mailed to Sister and she went over the reports with us. You cannot imagine how terrified I was when it was my turn to go in to go over the 'dreaded' report. Sr. Anne kept looking at the report card and at me and she finally said, "I see there have been some changes made...Why? Shaking, I replied that I wanted to go to college to study Art. She told me that no one had gone to college from there....but after looking at my report...she was wonderfully supportive of my dream. It actually happened that when I graduated in 1956, I had a full tuition scholarship and an Art Scholarship awarded to me and living as a mother's helper in a family with 6 six children, I made my dream come true. If my grandmother had not put me there, I would have continued living in one foster home after the other throughout the state of California, changing schools every year. I am now 81 years old and have a studio in my home where I continue to work on my passion....my Art! Thank you to Maryvale and the Daughters of Charity and to Mr. Glenn Baker, one of the benefactors who also helped me.
My niece/daughter (NREFM) had to be removed from her Mother's home. She was given an early placement at Maryvale (she was 11.5 years old and they generally only take 12 & up for longer term placement). It is a lovely facility with caring staff and i have been so grateful for their compassion and care. They have been around a long time and i pray the continue another hundred years. Actually i pray the need for such a facility goes away, but so long as it is needed Maryvale is a YES and THANK YOU!!!