170 Years of Serving Children and Families
Founded in 1856 by the Daughters of Charity, Maryvale began as one of Los Angeles’ earliest homes for vulnerable children. What started as a modest orphanage in early Los Angeles has evolved into a comprehensive nonprofit serving children and families across Los Angeles County.
On January 6, 2026, we marked 170 years of continuous service. While our programs have expanded to include early childhood education, community-based mental health services, and temporary housing for women and children, our mission remains rooted in compassion, dignity, and care – and our next chapter is just the beginning.
A Legacy Rooted in Los Angeles
Maryvale’s story began on January 6, 1856, when six Daughters of Charity arrived in the dusty pueblo of Los Angeles after months of travel by ship, mule, and stagecoach. Invited by Bishop Amat and welcomed by local civic leaders, they stepped into a city of fewer than 6,000 residents with a simple but profound mission to care for children in need.
Their first home stood at Alameda and Macy Streets, near what is now Union Station. Within a year, the growing number of children required a larger brick building. The Los Angeles Orphanage quickly became both a refuge for vulnerable children and a source of hope for a young and rapidly growing city. Early orphan fairs and generous community support helped sustain the work, establishing a partnership between Maryvale and the people of Los Angeles that continues today.
As the city expanded, so did the need. In 1891, the orphanage moved to Boyle Avenue in Boyle Heights, where for more than sixty years it became home to over 9,000 girls. Through floods, economic hardship, war, and periods of profound change, the Sisters remained steadfast in their commitment to the children entrusted to their care.
When the Boyle Avenue building was condemned in 1950, the community once again rallied. Philanthropist Countess Estelle Doheny and committed supporters across Los Angeles, including women who would later formalize their efforts through the Los Angeles Maryvale Guild, helped secure fourteen acres in South San Gabriel. For more than 75 years, the Guild has remained a steadfast partner in advancing Maryvale’s mission. In 1953, a new campus was blessed and opened at what is now Maryvale’s Rosemead location, designed not simply as shelter, but as a place of stability, growth, and opportunity
What began with six Sisters and seven children has grown into a legacy of service spanning generations. For 170 years, Maryvale has continued to adapt to meet the changing needs of children and families while remaining grounded in compassion and an unwavering belief in the dignity of every child.
The needs of children have changed over 170 years. Our commitment has not.
Maryvale Today
Each year, Maryvale supports more than 1,100 children and families through early childhood education, community‑based mental health services, and temporary housing. With programs across three Los Angeles County locations, we help strengthen families and foster lasting stability.
+
Children and families supported annually
Locations across Los Angeles County
+
Years of continuous service
170th Anniversary Reception
Join us for a special reception at our Rosemead campus as we honor our legacy, reconnect with the community that has made this work possible, and look ahead to the next chapter. Guests will enjoy appetizers, refreshments, and a campus tour as we reflect on 170 years of compassion, service, and hope
June 18, 2026 | 4-7 PM
7600 E. Graves Ave., Rosemead
170 Acts of Kindness
A community initiative celebrating kindness through action
In honor of Maryvale’s milestone anniversary, we invite our community to take part in the 170 Acts of Kindness campaign, a collective initiative inspired by the compassion and service that have shaped our mission since 1856.
For generations, Maryvale has strengthened children and families across Los Angeles County. This initiative carries that spirit beyond our campuses and into the broader community by encouraging individuals, families, schools, and organizations to take part in meaningful acts that uplift others..
What Is the 170 Acts of Kindness Initiative
The initiative encourages intentional acts that reflect Maryvale’s values of dignity, care, and service. Acts of kindness may include volunteering, mentoring, supporting a family in need, donating essential items, or offering encouragement to someone facing hardship. Each act contributes to a shared commitment to strengthening families and building a more compassionate community.
Community members are invited to share their acts of kindness and stories of service on social media by following us on Instagram, or Facebook and using #Maryvale170. Selected stories may be featured as part of our anniversary celebration.
Carrying Hope Forward
As Maryvale reflects on its long‑standing commitment to service, we look ahead with renewed focus on strengthening families, expanding housing capacity, and increasing access to education and mental health services throughout Los Angeles County. With the continued support of our community, we are building opportunity and stability for generations to come.
With your support, we can continue strengthening families and expanding access to care.
