History

In 1951, eleven young women sought an opportunity to serve the growing San Fernando Valley community.   At the time, new civic, cultural, and welfare agencies were being introduced, with the need for volunteer help and public support. These eleven young women founded the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley, and by continuing to add members who are dedicated to helping their community, the League has grown to its present membership of over 200 dedicated women.

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In 1969, the League purchased a home at 14428 Hamlin Street in Van Nuys, which became known as the Volunteer League Centre.  This Centre enabled the League to provide greater service to the community; however, expanding projects and membership caused the League to outgrow the facility, and in 1977, the 1921 California bungalow-style Baird House at 14603 Hamlin Street, Van Nuys became the Volunteer League’s new home. In October of 1978, the Heritage Board designated the Baird House as Historic-Cultural Monument No. 203. 
 

Over the years, the League’s history of service has varied from mending blue jeans at McKinley Home, Kids on the Block to its present-day Centre Clothes Corner and Choral Music, both of which serve thousands of members of the San Fernando Valley community. Centre Clothes Corner is the League's largest ongoing project that provides new school clothing to underprivileged children. The Volunteer League is currently the only non-profit that provides the complete clothing needs of the LAUSD children grades from K-12.  OurChoral Music group, the Troupers, brightens the lives of senior citizens who reside in convalescent, nursing and assisted-care facilities. 

 

Corporations, foundations, and our dear friends and relatives, who believe in our mission of making a difference in the lives of our community’s children and seniors, generously support these important projects; however, the Volunteer League does not receive any government or United Way support.  Therefore, it is vital that we continually seek new and renewed assistance from private business, corporations and individuals.  The Volunteer League is a tax-exempt 501(c) 3 organization.