Southeastern Michigan

WELCOME TO ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, founded in 1993 and serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), hands-on, all-volunteer organization.

Our mission: Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.

Funding sources supporting our Philanthropic Programs include the all-volunteer staffed Assistance League ReSale Connection shop, fundraisers, grantors and contributors. Funds raised remain in Michigan, helping thousands of people in need year round.

For more than 30 years, Assistance League has adapted and enhanced its community programs to meet the growing needs in local communities.

Our dedicated almost 300 members and hundreds of community volunteers provide over 55,000 volunteer hours a year. The Southeastern Michigan chapter is one of over 80 chapters (more than 17,000 members nationwide) of National Assistance League®, founded in the 1890s in California.

WE BELIEVE

When essential needs are met in the community, families will flourish.

When we clothe a child, we give them the confidence to succeed in school.

When we inspire a child, we can change the trajectory of their lives.

When we give young adults the opportunity to earn a degree, it lifts the entire community

YEAR IN REVIEW

FY 2024-2025

55,586
VOLUNTEER HOURS

20,800
Infants, Children and Adults Helped

282
CHAPTER MEMBERS

EVENTS

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR OUR SIGNATURE FUNDRAISER – MISTLETOE MARKETPLACE NOVEMBER 18, 2026

THANK YOU TO LAST YEAR’S MISTLETOE MARKETPLACE SPONSORS!

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SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

You can also log into 2026alsm.cbo.io

PROGRAMS

WHEN ESSENTIAL NEEDS ARE MET, FAMILIES FLOURISH

All year round, members purchase, tag, inventory, transport, pack, store and distribute merchandise.  The following nine program are provided without any charge to recipients, and staffed by chapter member and community volunteers.

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OPERATION SCHOOL BELL®

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL®

Provides new school clothing and/or necessities for students.  For some students, this may be the first new coat or clothing they can call their own.  This brings many smiles to both students and us!

Members and community volunteers set up a “store” in designated schools on scheduled days; helping children choose a new warm coat, hat, gloves, tops (or uniforms tops for specified public schools), underwear, socks, hygiene kit, book and duffle bag.  

Our chapter also collaborates with a local nonprofit agency to provide clothing and/or necessities for children through BLAST OFF 2 SCHOOL.

Since 1995, 72,925 local students have benefited from the clothing distributions.

ASSAULT SURVIVOR KITS®

ASSAULT SURVIVOR KITS®

Provide personal kits for children and adults survivors of abuse/, sexual assault and domestic violence whose clothing was destroyed by perpetrator or retained by police for evidence.  This kit contains a new top, pants, bra, underwear, socks/flip-flops, toiletries, fidgets and stuffed animals for children.

This year, 1,295 survivors (including 333 children) received kits at 27 trauma centers and 10 hospitals

Since 1994, 27,740 survivors benefited.

WEE HELP

WEE HELP

Our Wee Help Kits provide layette kits of over 20 items for baby’s first weeks, along with a Safe Sleep package of a new portable crib, sheet and wearable blanket.  The kit contains a new receiving blanket, clothing, diapers, bottle, pacifier, bib, wipes, baby book, knitted hat, a developmental wheel and a postpartum depression assessment tool.  Fifteen car seats were also distributed to ensure proper transportation safety.

This year, 1,140 layettes, 150 Safe Sleep Packages were distributed to 15 MIHP (Maternal Infant Health Programs) facilities and 7 hospitals.

Since 1994, 17,772 newborns have benefited.

NOURISHING NEIGHBORS

NOURISHING NEIGHBORS

Our Nourishing Neighbor program collaborates with the Neighborhood House Food Pantry to provide nutritious food for children and families.  We funded over $22,000 toward Food Pantry staples, enabling 24,600 meals. 

This year, 687 households received food and 4,100 member-designed meal kits (recipes and ingredients) were destributed.

ONE-2-ONE TUTORING

ONE-2-ONE TUTORING

The program provides weekly tutoring and classroom assistance for K-2 students at Walt Whitman Elementary in Pontiac to help improve reading and self-esteem.

Since 1995, 18,989 students have been impacted.  This year, 51 students received in-person tutoring and 344 students received literacy kits for summer studies.  1,529 books distributed to schools.

LINKS TO CREATIVE TEACHING

LINKS TO CREATIVE TEACHING

Our Links to Creative Teaching program provides opportunities for students in all phases of education not funded by their districts.  This year 585 students plus community members from a Sharing Table community project received enrichment, plus seven other funded educational projects (all in Detroit). 

Since 2002, 56,660 students have benefited.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

This three-pronged program reaches out to seniors, veterans and youth aging out of foster care.

This year 125 seniors were served a luncheon at OPC, vets received Returning Home BBQ dinner with movie tickets plus popcorn/pop tickets, 100 aging out of foster care received bathroom/kitchen kits, bedding, and gift cards to start them on their adult life journey.

Since 2009, 10,713 people have been helped.

SCHOLARSHIPS

SCHOLARSHIPS

Providing financial aid to students experiencing difficult life circumstances, enabling them to continue their educational progress at two local community colleges.  This year, seven students were awarded scholarships, $500 per student. 

Since 2018, 125 students have benefited.

PASS IT FORWARD

PASS IT FORWARD

Assistance League Resale Connection store donates excess clothing and home goods to local nonprofit agencies that distribute to those in need at no charge.  This year 4,625 people received goods. 

Since 2007, 100,565 individuals have benefited.

RESALE CONNECTION

Shop with us at ReSale Connection

Our nonprofit, upscale resale shop, ReSale Connection and the newly opened Furniture Annex provide the major source of income to support our philanthropic programs.  

The ReSale Connection offers new and gently used gift items, women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, household furnishings with a focus on repurposing and reusing quality goods  We also offer consignment items of women’s apparel and home goods. Both donated and consignment items are accepted.

The Furniture Annex is a significant contributor to revenue offering quality used and new furniture, artwork and accessories.

The ReSale Connection and Furniture Annex are entirely staffed and managed by our member volunteers.

100% of the shop’s profits support our Philanthropic Programs

RESALE CONNECTION

RESALE CONNECTION

RESALE CONNECTION
204 S. MAIN ST.
ROCHESTER, MI 48307

(248) 656-0414

HOURS – TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY
11:00AM TO 5:00PM

FURNITURE ANNEX

FURNITURE ANNEX

FURNITURE ANNEX
 440 SOUTH STREET
ROCHESTER, MI 48307

248-710-3060

HOURS THURSDAY AND SATURDAY
11:00AM TO 2:00PM

Awards

Awards

MEMBERSHIP

TRANSFORMING LIVES * STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.  Membership is open to those who have the time and passion to volunteer.  Our programs are tailored to the needs of our community and provide the perfect venue to serve those around us.

Join the almost 300 women who volunteer with Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.  Choose from the philanthropic programs and committees that interest you and would benefit from your special skills.  Make a difference in your community by sharing you enthusiasm and extending a helping hand while making new friendships that will last a lifetime.

REASONS TO JOIN US

Attending Regular Monthly Meetings to be involved and informed

Developing and using leadership skills

Making friendships by working together on philanthropic programs

Working in the ReSale Connection shop each month to support our programs

Being a part of a nationwide organization with over 17,000 members motivated to affect change in their communities

ABOUT US

Working Together, Making a Difference

We are one of more than 80 nationwide chapters belonging to Assistance League

OUR MISSION

Tranforming the lives of children and adults through community programs

OUR VISION 

Essential needs are met in our community and families flourish

OUR VALUES

Commitment  
Leadership
Ethics
Accountability
Respect

OUR GOALS

  • Focus services on needs of our community
  • Inform the community of the current services we provide
  • Maintain an active and diverse volunteer base
  • Seek a variety of resources to assure financial stability

AWARDS

Cindy Cirar Founder’s Award

  • 2012 Karen Rutherford
  • 2013 Betty Zych
  • 2014 Lorna Salmon
  • 2015 Kathy Koler
  • 2016 Diane Ebinger
  • 2017 Pat Quitter
  • 2018 Arlene Stec
  • 2019 Valerie Westley
  • 2020 Vincetta Nicosia
  • 2021 Judy McWhirter
  • 2022 Janet Bailey
  • 2023 Sani Dwyer
  • 2024 Sue Dobbelstein
  • 2025 Carole Berry/Ann Drake
  • 2026 Mary Kay LaChance

AWARDS

Ada Edwards Laughlin Award

  • 2009     Kit Sroka
  • 2010     Birdie Kutcher
  • 2011     Sandi Andree
  • 2012     Lois Shaffer
  • 2013     Pat Lesich
  • 2014     Amy Headbloom
  • 2015     Merle Turner
  • 2016     Susan O’Neill
  • 2017     Jana Yezak
  • 2018     Karen Koltvedt
  • 2019     Linda Chayka    
  • 2021     Carolyn Schenden 
  • 2022     Joanne Brown and
  • 2022     Colette Stager
  • 2023     Susan Burback
  • 2024     Linda Cote
  • 2025     Julie Sayers
  • 2026     Renee St. Dennis-Gruener

VIDEOS

Operation School Bell is our signature program serving the Tri-County area in multiple locations each year

OUR 2026-2027 BOARD

  • Mary Ebert
    President
  • Denise Kaminske
    President-Elect
  • Sandy Bera
    VP Membership
  • Kim Ray
    VP Philanthropic Programs
  • Lisa Fuson
    VP Resource Development
  • Rose Dirksen
    VP Fund Development
  • Joanne Brown
    VP Marketing
  • Renee St. Dennis-Gruener
    VP Communications
  • Mary Kay LaChance
    Treasurer
  • Sue Murasky
    Secretary
  • Daralene Laskowski
    Parliamentarian

OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL 2026-2027

Our thanks to the members of our Advisory Council for their input and advisement.

  • Kathy White
    MIH Management, Inc
  • Tami Salisbury
    TLS Consulting & Fundraising
  • Melinda Conway Callahan
    Philanthropic Consultant
  • Sue Upton
    Dillman & Upton
  • JoAnn Marino
    Financial Advisor
    UBS Financial Services
  • Ann Peterson
    Realtor
    Ann Peterson Realty Services

FINANCIALS AND REPORTS

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