Alvirita Little
Alvirita Little contributed more than 50 years of professional and volunteer service in support of youth and families in Seattle. Her legacy of community involvement has been an inspiration to all of us at Therapeutic Health Services.
The granddaughter of a slave, Alvirita grew up among German immigrant farmers in Spring, Texas. Her first experience in social work came in 1925, when she organized a Women's League at her church to help families in need.
In the 1950’s Alvirita moved to Seattle, where she instituted the area’s first community program for young girls: the Girls’ Club of Puget Sound, known today as Girls Inc. YWCA. Alvirita served as executive director of the Girls’ Club for 19 years, overseeing the club’s move into its own building on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.
Upon retiring, Alvirita continued her service to the community by hosting overseas students attending the University of Washington and volunteering for the American Red Cross and the VA Hospital. She was also an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts, who presented her with the William H. Spurgeon III award in 1980.*
The Alvirita Little Award
An award for selfless dedication and tireless commitment, in honor of Alvirita Little.
In 1988, the Board of Directors of Therapeutic Health Services created an award to honor an individual or organization that has contributed continuously and selflessly to help children, youth, adults and families at-risk—especially those affected by chemical dependency and mental illness.
Awarded only seven times since its inception in 1988, the award has gone to the following outstanding individuals:
1989: Mother Hale of New York City, for her work with drug-addicted babies.
1993: The Alcohol/Drug 24-hour Helpline, for its all-volunteer crisis, information and referral service to the residents of Western Washington.
1997: Senator George McGovern, for his advocacy on behalf of individuals and families affected by chemical dependency.
1999: Tsuguo "Ike" Ikeda, for more than 50 years of professional and volunteer service to under-represented communities in Western Washington state.
2000: Elizabeth Thomas, ARNP, for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of children and families and her work with children as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
2002: Steve Pool of KOMO 4 for his advocacy and fundraising work to ensure that all children in the community have access to medical care, regardless of their financial situation.
2005: Patrick Gogerty, former Director of Childhaven, for 30 years of service as a “determined advocate” for neglected and abused children.