Our archival collection is held at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library.

Our Archives offer the opportunity to examine linkages between the past and present, to learn from history, and to inform understanding of contemporary and future social welfare problems and appropriate solutions. The Archives are available to the general public but may be of interest to social workers, researchers, historians, students and developers of social policy. Unfortunately none of our archives are digitized. However, if you interested in viewing any of the items in our collection, we’d be happy to assist in the process of viewing them. Contact Elise Johnson, LCSW eljohnson@csudh.edu

Click here to browse our archives held at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library

Oral histories of California’s social work leaders

Since CSWA’s founding, our volunteers have conducted interviews of over 100 of California’s social work leaders, many of whom are Hall of Distinction honorees.

Interviews are available for viewing digitally and functions in collaboration with the Doheny Memorial

Library's Archival Research Center (ARC). 

Click here to browse our oral histories collection

Below is a slide deck of photos taken in the early 1960’s by the staff of the All Nations Church and Foundation. They are part of CSWA collection #0421.

Description of CSWA collection 0421:

The All Nations Church and Foundation photographs (circa 1924-1967) consist of photographic material in a variety of formats; the collection provides a rich view of the people, community, and activities associated with the All Nations Foundation's operations in Los Angeles. Among the subjects documented in the photographs are All Nations centers and community life; arts and education; recreation and leisure; groups and individuals; and publicity materials. The collection complements the All Nations Church and Foundation records, also held in the California Social Welfare Archives at USC.

History of All Nations Foundation

All Nations, in its heyday the largest and most effective social welfare organization in early to mid 20th Century Los Angeles. Founded in 1918 in an east-central section of the city known as "Eastside", The City Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, under pastor Bromley Oxnam, established and ran the church settlement, gathering donations, organizing volunteers, buying land and buildings, and equipping gymnasiums, playgrounds, libraries, and clinics for a community where three-fourths of the families were on public assistance and where much of the population consisted of immigrants from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Oxnam initially developed the physical facilities of All Nations, acquiring a complex of buildings at 810-816-824 E. Sixth Street (now the site of Gladys Park in Skid Row) just before his resignation from the organization in 1927.

Click here to arrange to see these photographs in person at UCS’s library