The Alzheimer’s Association’s California Southland Chapter has separated from the national Alzheimer’s Association after a 30-plus year affiliation and has returned to using its former name, Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles, or ALZGLA, the chapter’s board of directors announced Thursday. The organization serves Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
ALZGLA’s board made the decision Dec. 16 following an October vote by the national Alzheimer’s Association to consolidate all local chapters into a single entity controlled from its Chicago headquarters. ALZGLA says that instead of 60% of donations remaining locally, as would have been the case if it had remained an Alzheimer’s Association chapter, now, 100% of donations made to the southern California group will stay within the area.
Other large chapters in New York City, New Jersey, San Diego and Orange County, CA, recently have made similar decisions. The Alzheimer’s Association gave regional chapters a Jan. 15 deadline to do so following the October announcement of restructuring.
“As an organization separate from a national entity, [ALZGLA] will be able to expand upon our ability to provide client-centered, innovative and responsive programs and services that directly meet the needs of our communities,” said Susan Galeas, president and CEO of the organization. “We look forward to a more nimble and creative future that fully encompasses our mission and focuses on care, inspiration and hope.”
ALZGLA began as an independent nonprofit organization in 1982 before affiliating with the national Alzheimer’s Association in 1984.
