POLICE BEAT

The following organizations involve many Larchmont Chronicle neighbors. Perhaps this will inspire you to become more involved in your community. If your group is not listed or if you see information that needs to be updated, please write to circulation@larchmontchronicle.com or call 323-462-2241, ext. 13.

Philanthropic

ALEXANDRIA HOUSE A transitional residence for women and children in the process of moving from homelessness to permanent housing. Michelle Tonn serves as the executive director and Judy Vaughan as the founding director. Contact: 213-381-2649. Website: alexandriahouse.org.

ANDERSON-MUNGER YMCA Helping to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Rae Jin is the executive director. Contact: 213-427-9622. Website: ymcala.org/anderson-munger.

ARCS FOUNDATION, INC.

LOS ANGELES FOUNDER CHAPTER Advances research in America by raising scholar awards for the best undergraduate, graduate, medical students and postdoctoral fellows in the fields of science, math, engineering and medical research. Contact: 310-375-1936. Website: los-angeles.arcsfoundation.org.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF LOS ANGELES Improving the quality of lives of at-risk children and their families. Their programs include: accredited preschool, two clothing and school supplies programs for homeless and foster youth, a theater for children and a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors who are homeless or in foster care. Adrienne Seltzer is the board president and Melanie Merians is the CEO. There are over 300 members. Their auxiliaries include: Anne Banning Auxiliary (Operation School Bell program), Hilltoppers Auxiliary (Foster Children’s Resource Center), Nine O’Clock Players Auxiliary (Theatre for Children Program), Preschool Auxiliary (Preschool Learning Center), Founder Assisteens, College Alumnae Auxiliary, Mannequins Auxiliary and League at Large. Contact Kai Tramiel, senior director of membership: 323-5454847 or ktramiel@assistanceleaguela.org. Website: assistanceleaguela.org.

AVIVA FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES PLATINUM ASSOCIATES Provides support and therapeutic services to at-risk women, children and families through fundraising for Aviva Family and Children’s Services. Angela Miller is the interim CEO. Contact: 323-876-0550 or amiller@aviva.org. Website: aviva.org/ the-platinum-associates.

BANNING RESIDENCE MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS Support educational and cultural programs and restoration and conservation of Banning Residence Museum. Contact: 310-5487777. Website: thebanningmuseum.org.

BIG SUNDAY Connects people by providing a variety of volunteer opportunities to improve lives and build community. David Levinson is the founding executive director. Contact: 323-549-9944 or david@bigsunday.org. Website: bigsunday.org.

BLIND CHILDREN’S CENTER Provides family-centered early intervention and education services for children from birth to kindergarten who are visually impaired. L. Alan Boring is the board president and Sarah Orth is the CEO. Contact: 323-664-2153. Website: blindchildrenscenter.org. CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER Breaks down barriers and advances the potential of women and girls in California. This is the first law center in California solely dedicated to addressing the comprehensive legal needs of women and girls. They put a particular emphasis on effecting change for low-income and indigent women and girls. Betsy Butler is the executive director. Contact: 323-951-1041 or cwlc@cwlc.org. Website: cwlc.org.

CHILDHELP Addresses the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children, focusing efforts and resources on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach. Suzzy Canny is the Los Angeles chapter president. Contact: 323-465-4016. Website: childhelp.org.

THE COLLEAGUES Supports Children’s Institute, Inc. to help children affected by violence, abuse and other trauma through fundraising and operating The Colleagues Boutique, a designer resale and vintage clothing store at 3312 Pico Blvd. They are open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: 310396-7349. Website: thecolleagues.com.

COLLEAGUE HELPERS IN

PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE (CHIPS) Supporting Children’s Institute, Inc. with its work to help children affected by violence, abuse and other trauma. Fundraising and volunteer efforts include its annual spring fashion luncheon and community outreach projects. Contact: info@thechips. org. Website: thechips.org.

CUISINE Á ROULETTES Fullfilling the mission to fundraise and provide volunteer support for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, which was founded in 1983. Veronica Dover is the CEO / executive director. Contact: 213-484-7775 or vdover@stvincentmow.org. Website: svmow.org.

DIDI HIRSCH

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Provides mental health and substance use services to low-income children and adults in the Los Angeles area. Michael Wierwille is the board chair and Lyn Morris is the CEO. Contact: 888-807-7250. Website: didihirsch.org.

EBELL OF LOS ANGELES Women’s club with philanthropic, cultural and educational programs that support 20 charities that help women and children. The club also grants over 50 college scholarships each year. They hold lunches with guest speakers, wineand-dine dinners, barbecues, art receptions, dances, holiday events, plays, readings, film screenings, book clubs and crafts workshops in a National Register historic Italian Renaissance building. Hailey Simmons is the membership director and Patty Lombard is the president. Contact: 323-931-1277. Website: ebellofla.com.

FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE Advocates education on American rights and responsibilities, honoring acts of civic virtue, rejecting apathy and getting involved. Raises funds to provide scholarships to students and accredited teachers to participate in the Foundation’s educational programs. Trish Bowe is the president of the Los Angeles chapter. Contact: 310-475-1322 or trishbowe9@gmail.com. Website: freedomsfoundation.org. GOOD SHEPHERD CENTER

FOR HOMELESS WOMEN AUXILIARY Raises funds and assists at four centers for homeless women and their children. Sister Anne Tran is the Center director. Contact: 213-235-1460 or srannetran@gschomeless. org. Website: gschomeless.org.

HOLLYWOOD YMCA Strengthening the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Contact: 323-467-4161. Website: ymcala.org. Currently closed during construction.

HOPENET Provides direct services to families and individuals in the Metro Los Angeles area to improve their quality of life. The food pantry program is a network of 13 food pantries that are run in collaboration with interfaith agencies spanning 20 miles and providing free, accessible and healthy food to anyone that wants or needs it. Taste of Larchmont fundraiser occurs in the fall. Brandy Muñiz is the executive director. Contact: 213-3899949 or brandy@hopenetla.org. Website: hope-net.org.

JEFFREY FOUNDATION Provides services for special needs children and their families, typically children from 5 years through 22 years. Alyce Morris Winston is the founder and CEO. Contact: 323965-7536. Website: thejeffreyfoundation. org.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LOS ANGELES Promotes volunteerism, develops women’s potential and improves the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. It was founded in 1926. Joy Williams is the president. Contact: 323957-4280 or president@jlla.org. Website: jlla.org.

LAS FLORISTAS Helps the special needs of children with exceptional physical or cognitive challenges at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Programs include wheelchair sports, scholarships, recreational therapy, adolescent support and pediatric art therapy. They host a spring gala, holiday luncheon and sholarship and awards dinner. Candice Nantais is the president. Contact: 562-298-3508 or amanda@lasfloristas.org. Website: lasfloristas.org.

LES AMIES Supports Children’s Institute, Inc. with its work to help children affected by violence, abuse and other trauma. Their fundraisers include the Patron Drive and Annual Winter Party, in addition to various other events. Kathy Hampar is the president. Website: lesamiesinc.com.

NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE LOS ANGELES FOUNDER CHAPTER Mother-daughter philanthropy organization that helps provide opportunites that develop this special relationship through social, cultural and philanthropic events. Their annual benefit is in December and they have their Timeless Treasures Thrift Shop at 9441 Culver Blvd, Culver City. Thrift Shop: 310-559-8338 .Contact: administrator@nclla.org. Website: nclla.org.

NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE CORONET DEBUTANTE BALL BOARD The Annual Coronet Debutante Ball honors young women involved in the National Charity League as they have dedicated themselves to their community through volunteering. The event supports the philanthropic projects of National Charity League, Los Angeles. Contact: 310-2455545 or juliebarker@att.net. Website: coronetdebutanteball.org. NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION A nonprofit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education. It was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. There is a Los Angeles–Eschscholtzia chapter and a Hollywood chapter. Website: dar.org.

NGA HANCOCK PARK NEEDLEWORK GUILD OF AMERICA Improves the quality of life for disadvantaged members of the community by purchasing and distributing new clothes, linens and personal care items through seven local charities. They hold a gala fundraiser annually. Beverly Brown is the president. Contact: ngahancockpark@gmail.com. Website: ngahancockpark.org.

ORPHANAGE GUILD Supports Maryvale, Los Angeles’ oldest children’s charity, which was founded in 1856. Maryvale offers mental health, therapeutic and community-based services and a pre-school for children ages infant to 5 years. Contact: 626-280-6510. Website: laorphanageguild.com.

FRIENDLY HOUSE The first home for women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction in the U.S. It was founded in 1951 and to this day still provides opportunity for women to recover physically, spiritually and emotionally from drugs and alcohol through love, compassion and support.Peter White is the board president and Rika Broccoli is the vice president. Contact: 866-475-0892 or info@ friendlyhousela.org. Website: friendlyhousela.org.

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD Founded in 1989 by Marianne Williamson and a group of volunteers to provide food to those combating the effects of HIV / AIDS. Project Angel Food continues to serve the critically ill, providing more than 2,000 free meals per day, along with love and support, to men and women battling cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, congestive heart disease and other illnesses, and their dependent children. Richard Ayoub is the CEO and Tom Robinson is the board chair. Contact: 323-845-1800 or info@angelfood.org. Website: angelfood.org.

SISTERS OF SOCIAL SERVICE Work with people on the margins through direct service and contemporary social action for change. Contact 818-285-3358. Website: sssla.org.

UPLIFT FAMILY SERVICES AT HOLLYGROVE Family-centered community organization serving abused and neglected children up to age 18, and those at risk of abuse or neglect, or who are in poverty. Contact: 323-463-2119. Website: upliftfs.org/service/hollygrove.

Civic

FRIENDS OF THE FAIRFAX LIBRARY Supports the library acquisition fund and various programs. Book sale every Wednesday from 12 to 4 p.m. Contact: 323-9366191. Website: lapl.org/branches/fairfax.

FRIENDS OF THE

JOHN C. FREMONT LIBRARY Fundraises to support the library’s programming for the community. Rachel Kitzman is the senior librarian. Contact: 323-962-3521. Website: lapl.org/branches/ john-c-fremont.