In 1950, Maryvale was operating as the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum in Boyle Heights. After sheltering more than 8,000 children, earthquake damage and freeway expansion led to the destruction of the Boyle Heights building. By that time, the orphanage had become so essential to the successful functioning of the city that some supporters stepped forward to assist in its relocation to Rosemead. Many of the women who rallied to the cause became founding members of the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild, which remains a thriving fundraising arm for Maryvale's children today.
In large part due to the efforts of the guild, Maryvale benefactress Carrie Estelle Doheny, wife of Edward L. Doheny, was a generous contributor to the construction of the Rosemead campus.Together, the group worked tirelessly to raise the additional funds needed to complete the new home, and the campus opened in 1953 and christened Maryvale. The new location did not alter the Guild’s mission nor its commitment to the underserved.
The women of the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild remain ferociously committed to providing financial support for Maryvale’s Residential Treatment Program. Guild members understand the tremendous value of our program for the girls in our care and ensure the continued availability of Maryvale’s services by conducting creative fundraising and signature events throughout the year.
The Los Angeles Orphanage Guild Juniors are Guild members who are dedicated to working directly with the girls in residence. These members act as mentors to these young women, making a positive difference in their lives. These stable relationships help Maryvale residents strengthen self-confidence and self-worth as they prepare for successful futures.
