Lodi House to host event celebrating nonprofit’s stories of success

Fundraising event puts focus on the nonprofit’s role in Lodi, as well as the women and children it helps

In order to increase awareness and celebrate the women and children who have succeeded in their program, Lodi House will be hosting its Be Amazing event on April 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church on North Mills Avenue.

This will be the second year in a row that Lodi House will be hosting this event.

“When I came into my position, there were two needs that I saw, and one was to really increase the community’s awareness of what Lodi House does,” said Shelby Young, Lodi House executive director. “We wanted to first create an affordable, fun event to communicate all the different aspects of Lodi House and tell some of the stories of Lodi House and to get that full picture of what Lodi House does.”

Young also wanted to create an event that would raise funding for Lodi House and its programs and services. Last year, Lodi house was able to raise close to $3,000 from the Be Amazing event, and Young hopes to double that with this year’s event. For those interested in attending the event, a table for eight guests may be reserved for $100 and individual open seats can be reserved for $15. There is also an opportunity to sponsor a table for $250 which includes name recognition. So far, Young reports that 34 tables have been sold for the event and eight tables have been sponsored.

“There will also be a raffle. We will give people opportunities to give that day, too. I’m hoping some people will just decide to make an additional donation,” Young said.

All the proceeds will go towards funding Lodi House programs and services such as case management.

“It’s really what sets Lodi House apart because we’re working one on one with every individual to find solutions to help them succeed in their individual situation,” Young said.

The event will feature a video tour of Lodi House along with its transitional apartments, thrift store and enrichment center. There will also be a Q&A with one of the children who have been through the Lodi House Program and a speech from a past graduate. Lodi House therapist Jenna Santoya will also be speaking during the event.

“I’ll be just talking about the women and children, and the support they receive at the shelter from the different programs,” Santoya said. “I’ll also be talking about a lot of the trauma the women and children experience prior to coming into the shelter, and how we try to heal some of that trauma while they are there. Even as they graduate from the program, we continue to support them.”

Santoya first began volunteering at Lodi House years ago as a high school student helping to baby-sit the children. She saw a need for an outdoor playset and applied for and was awarded a grant through the City of Lodi to fund the project. Santoya went on to college, became a licensed clinical social worker and currently provides several hours of therapy services a month at Lodi House.

“I’ve always been drawn to Lodi House and their mission, and I wanted to be a part of that. As much as it’s inspiring being a part of Lodi House, a lot of the women that come through there teach me as well, and I learn a lot from them and the relationships that we all get to build together,” Santoya said.

Young also has a few other surprises for the event. Her hope is that those who attend will be inspired.

“What I experienced with working with our clients is just seeing what they’re capable of,” she said. “It’s just encouraging as a human being to just see even when we’re in really difficult situations, what we can overcome as women together.”

For more information on the event or to make table reservations, call Lodi House at 209-334-6346 or email