Assisteens bring joy to local agencies
DOWNEY — This holiday season, the members of the Assistance League of Downey “Assisteens” stepped up in a big way—shopping for wish-list items, packaging, and delivering boxed gifts to an array of local agencies. Under the stewardship of their coordinators, Jazmine Thies and Catherine Page, the high school aged volunteers transformed goodwill into action across Downey.
The annual Christmas Distribution event is a signature philanthropic program of the Assistance League of Downey—an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to meet pressing community needs in our city.
This year’s list of agencies served included:
The Villa Senior Assisted Living (Downey) — a smaller assisted-living home dedicated to providing compassionate personal care and a family-style environment for seniors.
True Lasting Connections (TLC) Family Resource Center — operating within the Downey Unified School District, TLC links the community and families to support students with health, social-service, and educational resources.
Run 2 Rescue — a Christian non-profit organization devoted to reaching, rescuing and restoring victims of human trafficking.
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center — a rehabilitation hospital in Downey with the mission to “restore health, rebuild life and revitalize hope” for individuals with life-changing injuries, illnesses or disabilities.
Living Help Center — a Downey-based community support organization offering material goods like clothing, diapers and baby items, and helping parents and families in need.
La Casita Shelter — a residential program in Downey providing substance-use disorder treatment for pregnant and parenting women and their children.
Downey Retirement Center — a local agency serving older adults.
Downey Community Health Center — a skilled–nursing/health facility in Downey that supports residents in therapy, rehabilitation and long-term care.
Brookfield Healthcare — a community health-care partner
On the day of the event, the Assisteens gathered at the Assistance League chapter house to sort and stage each gift.
“Our young volunteers took the time to think about who would receive each gift—whether seniors, families in crisis, or individuals rebuilding their lives,” said coordinator Jazmine Thies. “It’s a wonderful way for us to bring the holiday spirit to our neighbors.”
The impact is two-fold: not only do the agencies receive needed items, but the teens themselves gain experience in service, organization, and empathy. The Assistance League of Downey underscores that these efforts are anchored in the belief that local action leads to meaningful change.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to all supporters: the Assisteens themselves, the Assistance League of Downey’s adult volunteers and leadership, the generous donors who provided items and funds, and of course the dedicated agencies who serve our community year-round. Through this annual Christmas Distribution, our city of Downey shines a bit brighter.
If you would like to learn more about the Assistance League of Downey or support next year’s distribution event, please contact their office at 562-869-0232 or visit www.assistanceleague.org/downey