1946 - Founded
Established in 1946, the chapter’s founding organization was known
as the Women’s Progressive League. The League was affiliated as
a chapter of National Assistance League in 1950.
1954 - Girls’ Club/Teen Club
Established in 1954, Girls’ Club offers a variety of creative activities
for girls from ages 6 to 12. Teen Club is geared for pre-teen girls and teenagers. The after
school and summer programs are designed to develop academic achievement, self-confidence, and self-
respect and to provide enrichment. Professional staff, chapter volunteers
and members of Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary participate in the girls’ activities.
The chapter provides full and partial tuition scholarships for girls unable to pay their semester or camp fees.
1956 - The Bargain Box
Established as the chapter’s thrift shop in 1956, the Bargain Box was
originally located in Oxnard, California. The shop moved to its present location,
1975 East Main Street, Ventura, California, in 1990.
1957 - Twelve O’Clockers Auxiliary
Established as an auxiliary in 1957, members staffed the Bargain Box
four days a month and provided birthday cakes for the girls attending
Girls' Club/Teen Club. In addition, proceeds from the organizations
annual fundraiser, "Book
Author Event," benefited the chapter's scholarship program, Assistance League School and Girls'
Club/Teen Club. The Auxiliary was dissolved in 2009.
1960 - Assistance League School
The chapter assumed financial control and management of the school
in 1960. Professionally staffed by the organization and accredited
by the State
of California, the school provides special educational programs and therapy
for preschool children with developmental delays. The Oxnard, Hueneme
, Ocean View, Rio and Pleasant
Valley school districts refer children to the school. The school districts
pay a monthly tuition fee for each student contributing approximately
75% to
the school's budget with the balance of funding provided through chapter
fundraising events, donations, grants and contributions.
1962 - Las Patronas Auxiliary
Originally founded in December, 1958, when the first Debutant Presentation
Ball was held, Las Patronas officially became an auxiliary in 1962.
Now an annual event, the Presentation Ball
is recognized as one of Ventura County’s
most spectacular social events. Proceeds generously support Assistance
League philanthropies.
1964 - Academic Scholarship Program
An Academic Scholarship program was created by the Elliot Family Trust to benefit
eligible students who transfer to a 4-year college.
1989 - B.U.F.F.Y. Bear
Initiated as a philanthropic program in 1989, cuddly bears with the
B.U.F.F.Y. message, “Bears Understand Friends, Feelings and You,” are
distributed to comfort and reassure children of all ages experiencing
traumatic situations.
1989 - Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary
Certified in 1990, members are professional individuals employed 20 or
more hours a week. To accommodate their schedules, meetings are held in the evenings. The
organization’s fundraising events generously support chapter philanthropic
programs.
1993 - Operation School Bell®
Established as a philanthropic program by our chapter in April of 1993,
Operation School Bell provides new school uniforms, shoes, jackets, undergarments,
and personal grooming kits to disadvantaged children in the Oxnard,
Hueneme, Ocean View
and Ventura school districts. The program has successfully strengthened
the self-confidence, school attendance and scholastic achievement of
participating students. Annually,
chapter volunteers assist approximately 1200 children. Funding for Operation
School Bell comes from chapter fundraising events, auxiliary donations,
grants and community
contributions.
2001 - Assault Survivor Kits®
In 2001, Nancy R. Brandt Auxiliary expanded its philanthropic efforts
to include the distribution of Assault Survivor Kits. Established as
a partnership with Safe Harbor, a domestic violence program through
the Ventura County District Attorney's office, victims of rape and
abuse are given emergency clothing and personal supplies.
2010 - Assisteens® Auxiliary
Membership is open to young men and women entering seventh through 12th grade.
Members are responsible for attending six regular meetings and participating
in a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service annually. Meetings are held monthly
from September to May.
2010 - Celebrating 60 years of community service in Ventura County.
