The Daughters of Charity Community was founded in France almost 4 centuries ago. Its sole purpose is to serve the poor. Arriving in California in 1852, they opened the first orphanage and school in San Francisco and the first orphanage and hospital in Los Angeles. All still exist today. The Foundation, founded in 1984, raises funds to assist Daughters' Ministries in the Province of the West with their care of the poor - the ill, the elderly, the hungry, abused and abandoned youngsters, and inner-city school children. All are served with dignity and respect, which gives the precious gift of hope.