history

Lodi House began in the heart and prayers of Annette Murdaca and Nancy Watts. They surrounded themselves with others who had the same vision for helping homeless women and children.

A task force was formed and they began the process of becoming a 501c3 and incorporating into a shelter.

In 2000 the first Board of Directors was established. (Jola Bortner, Judy Clemons, Sherry DuBois, Keith Land, Ken Mullen, M.D., Frank Sasaki, & Ken Smith) Janet Hamilton & Carol Farron were soon added to the Board.

In the spring of 2000 the house was purchased with creative financing from F&M Bank and Shelby Young was hired as a consultant to assist in getting the home ready for residents.

During the summer of 2000 the rooms were adopted and decorated.

In August of 2000, Suzanne Clay Mangum was hired as the Executive Director and Shereen Scherle Hays was hired to cook and teach nutrition. (Shereen would become the Assistant Director in 2003.)

September 7, 2000 was the official opening & ribbon cutting.

September 11, 2000 the first residents moved into Lodi House.

October 8, 2000 we held our first “Harvest in the Grove” fundraiser.

In February of 2001, Lodi House received the Regional Excellence Award from San Joaquin Council of Governments.

In March of 2001, we received CDBG funds of $90,000 and were able to pay F&M Bank the balance owed on the house.

In January of 2002 Suzanne moved into her beautiful new office that was built by the Lodi Lions Club… especially Richard Prima and Patty Garner.

In April of 2002 we hired Anita Price, a licensed therapist, who specializes in sand tray therapy. We redid a section of the garage offices for our sand tray set-up.

In 2003 our new play yard was constructed thanks to Jenna Donald, Dixon Flynn, Diede Construction & the City of Lodi.

In 2003 we began a partnership with the Housing Authority allowing us to provide transitional housing to graduates.

In 2004 our Lodi House CD “Coming Home” was produced led by Bill Fererro.

In 2005 we contracted for services with a second therapist, Janeen Suess, LCSW.

In August of 2005 we held a “Birthday Bash” celebrating our first five years. It was an open house for the public and reunion for our many graduates.