History
Serving Children in Need for Over 155 Years
Maryvale has a rich history and heritage.
In the 1850s, Bishop Amat (First Bishop of Monterey/Los Angeles Diocese) asked the Daughters of Charity to come to the Pueblo of Los Angeles to open an orphanage for abandoned children living in the streets.
On January 6, 1856, five Daughters of Charity arrived from their American Provincial House in Maryland to open Los Angeles’ first orphanage and hospital in the small, wood-frame Wilson Home on the site of what we now know as LA’s Union Station.
By 1857, the number of children at the orphanage had grown, and the Sisters built a new building adjacent to the first. In 1869, it was officially named the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum.
As the area’s orphan population grew, a site was purchased in 1891 in Boyle Heights and a majestic building erected. Thousands of youngsters were cared for until the location was abandoned 62 years later due to earthquake damage and freeway expansion.
In 1953, the Rosemead location was dedicated and opened under the name of Maryvale.
Currently Maryvale is a residential facility for girls ages 6 through 17 in Rosemead, California. An After Care Program supports former residents as well as Transitional Housing in El Monte. In 1999, our Early Education Program originally established at Maryvale’s Rosemead campus in 1968, expanded to include a second location in Duarte. Mental Health Services are an integral part of Maryvale’s program of care.
The Maryvale Family Resource & Early Education Center, opened in Duarte in 2011, expands crisis prevention services to families, children and individuals.
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
In 1633, St. Vincent de Paul, a humble French priest, and St. Louise de Marillac, a widow, founded the Daughters of Charity to serve the poor. Prayer and community life were essential elements of their lifestyle. In the same spirit, the Daughters of Charity respond to many forms of poverty today.
The motto is emblazoned on the seal: “The charity of Jesus Christ crucified urges us.”
“We should assist the poor in every way, and do it both by ourselves and by enlisting the help of others.”
The mission of the Daughters of Charity is to honor our Lord Jesus Christ as the source and model of all charity, serving Him corporally and spiritually in the person of the Poor.
Our Core Values
The Charity of Christ urges us to live our Vincentian Core Values of:
- Respect
Recognizing our own value and the value of others. - Compassionate Service
Providing excellent care with gentleness and kindness. - Simplicity
Acting with integrity, clarity and honesty. - Advocacy for the Poor
Supporting those who lack resources for a healthy life and full human development. - Inventiveness to Infinity
Being continuously resourceful and creative.
For more information about the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (Western Province), visit www.daughtersofcharity.com.
Maryvale Leadership
Board of Directors
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Sister Rachela Silvestri, D.C. Chairperson St. Louise Regional Hospital Mrs. Jacquie Dolan Vice-Chairperson Ms. Marsha Chan Secretary-Treasurer Cynosure Health |
Sister Betty Marie Dunkel, D.C. Daughters of Charity Province of the West Sister Margaret Keaveney, D.C. St. Vincent’s Sister Estela Morales, D.C. Mount St. Joseph-St. Elizabeth Ms. Gloria Mucino Early Childhood Parenting Center |
Senior Leadership Team
Steve Gunther, MSW
President & Executive Director
Patty Martin
Executive Assistant
Renee Chan
Vice President of Human Resources
Sister Martha Garcia, D.C.
Vice President of Mission Integration
Michael Giron
Vice President of Administrative Services
David Gonzales
Vice President of Finance
Dr. Ike Kerhulas
Vice President of Clinical Services
Christina Moore
Vice President of Early Childhood Education
Paul Pulver
Vice President of Development & Communications