Maryvale nonprofit recognition reached new heights this year as Los Angeles County’s oldest children’s charity was named the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. The Rosemead-based organization, founded in 1856, was honored at the Partnership’s October 25 awards gala at Via Verde Country Club in San Dimas for its lasting service to children, families, and underserved residents across the San Gabriel Valley.
Maryvale nonprofit recognition rooted in community care
Founded by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Maryvale began as the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum, the city’s first orphanage and hospital. Today, the nonprofit provides trauma-informed care and wraparound support from its main campus in Rosemead and program sites in Duarte and South El Monte. Its programs include early childhood education, mental health and substance use treatment, and temporary housing for women and children experiencing homelessness.
Steve Gunther, Maryvale’s president and CEO, said the recognition reflects the staff’s enduring commitment to the community. “Being recognized as a California Nonprofit of the Year is a testament to our long-standing mission and the impact we continue to make,” Gunther said. “We are proud to stand among organizations transforming lives across the state.”
Expanding programs and community recognition
Maryvale’s early education centers build strong foundations for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The Seton House program offers transitional housing and support for unhoused mothers and their children. Connections by Maryvale provides bilingual recovery services for individuals battling addiction, while the organization’s mental health programs offer counseling and family therapy to help those in crisis recover and rebuild.
In 2024, Maryvale served more than 740 families and supported hundreds of children through its early education and wellness programs. The San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership cited these outcomes as key reasons behind this year’s Maryvale nonprofit recognition.
Statewide honors reinforce Maryvale’s impact
Maryvale also received statewide attention as Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio named it a 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year. The recognition highlights the nonprofit’s “lifesaving work with children, families, and underserved communities” and its long-standing dedication to social service innovation.
The organization will be recognized again on May 21, 2025, at the California Nonprofits Day luncheon in Sacramento, hosted by CalNonprofits. The event honors California’s most impactful nonprofit organizations and their contributions to public good.
Sustaining the mission of Maryvale nonprofit recognition
Community leaders say the 2025 Maryvale nonprofit recognition highlights the organization’s critical role in addressing regional needs such as housing stability, early education, and mental health care. With facilities in Rosemead, Duarte, and South El Monte, Maryvale continues to be a vital resource for families across the San Gabriel Valley.
“The work being done in our communities shows what collaboration can achieve,” said Gunther. “Our mission remains focused on bringing hope, healing, and empowerment to every person we serve.”
As Maryvale approaches its 170th anniversary in 2026, the organization plans to expand early learning programs and increase capacity for family behavioral health and housing support. Its recognition this year affirms both a proud history and a renewed commitment to the San Gabriel Valley’s future.
For more information about Maryvale’s programs or to support its mission, visit www.maryvale.org.
