Maryvale

In 1856, at the corner of what was then Macy and Alameda Streets, the Daughters of Charity founded the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum to serve the needs of orphaned children in a fast-growing city. In 1891 that piece of property was sold to the Southern Pacific Railroad, and what was soon to become Union Station was born.

The orphanage, meanwhile, was moved to Boyle Heights and then again, in 1953, to Rosemead and renamed Maryvale, where today the Daughters of Charity and their staff serve the many needs of children who may have parents but who are equally as needy. Many have become wards of the court, or as Maryvale calls them, “orphans of the living,” children who are victims in society.

On Nov. 13 — at Union Station, the site of the orphanage’s founding — Maryvale celebrated 150 years of helping “each child achieve fulfillment, dignity and self-esteem in an environment of stability and love,” as is said in their Mission Statement.

Situated on 14 park-like acres, the present facility provides a renewing, healing environment in a tranquil, peaceful setting. Today they serve 80 girls between the ages of 6-18, operate two daycare centers and recently began apartment living program for the girls who need assistance when they complete Maryvale residential program.