Children's Institute, Inc.: Support Groups

Support Groups

Children’s Institute’s growth and accomplishments over many decades is due in countless ways to the collective generosity and talents of three support groups: The Colleagues, The C.H.I.P.S., and Les Amies. Through numerous events and activities, these three groups play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the more than 17,000 children and families we serve every year.

The Colleagues

Founded in 1950 by Los Angeles philanthropist Lucy Toberman (Mrs. Homer), The Colleagues began as a small group of resourceful, influential women to generate resources for the Big Sister League, which would later be renamed Children’s Institute. At that time, the League was a struggling charity dedicated to helping young women in trouble with the law or unmarried and pregnant. For more than 60 years, The Colleagues’ support has been crucial to our efforts to help children and families in need in our community.

The C.H.I.P.S

Nearly a decade after founding The Colleagues, Lucy Toberman and the daughters and daughters-in-law of some of the original Colleagues established The C.H.I.P.S., whose name stands for Colleague Helpers in Philanthropic Service.

Les Amies

Colleagues found Lucy Toberman formed a third CII support group in 1962 called Les Amies. The fact that the members were friends of The Colleagues made the choice for a group name easy. For nearly half a century, Les Amies has played its own important and unique role in generating much-needed resources for CII.