209 THE HOUSE that SHELBY BUILT

SHELBY YOUNG RETURNS TO LODI HOUSE NEARLY 20 YEARS LATER

Shelby Young is a dynamic leader who could be at the helm of any nonprofit. But, most appropriately, she is with Lodi House, the women and children shelter she helped to found in 1999.

Shelby grew up in Lodi and was involved in community service from a young age. Her journey to Lodi House began during college when she spent a summer interning at Lodi’s Field and Fair Day at Hutchins Street Square. Here, she discovered her talent of making a difference while building relationships and working with her community. Shortly after graduation, Shelby returned to Lodi to take the position of director at LOEL Senior Center. Soon thereafter, she was recruited to get Lodi House started in 1999. Shelby says, “I was honored to be part of bringing this vision to life because at the time there were no shelters for women and children in Lodi.”

Shelby stepped away from Lodi House as it was preparing to open to prioritize her family but was drawn back to the organization in 2016 to continue the important work she has started. “I never imagined that after such a long hiatus I would have had the opportunity to be part of Lodi House again,” says Shelby. “It has been an incredible journey filled with challenges and successes that have transformed me, deepened my faith, and overall made me a better human being.”

Lodi House is specifically dedicated to helping women and their children who are in crisis. After moving into their own bedrooms, the routines of Lodi House are adopted and structure is established. Schedules for meals, chores, bedtimes, and curfews are followed, plus sobriety from all substances, and a healthy set of boundaries with relationships in their life that have proven unsafe. As families stabilize, Lodi House staff establishes goals to ensure kids are doing well in school or childcare, connecting to professional counseling, helping mothers find and maintain employment, and setting financial goals to aid in moving toward independence.

“Once mothers begin working and saving money, much of the support that Lodi House provides is focused on encouraging and developing accountability to achieve their goals of balancing work and family life, remaining diligent in their financial management, and following through on their steps toward securing permanent housing,” Shelby says.

After four-to-six months, and when women are ready to graduate from Lodi House, they have the opportunity to apply to the transitional housing program or move into other housing and become life-long alumni members. Shelby explains, “Lodi House serves women with children through our three stages of programming, which includes a four-to-six month intensive shelter program, one to two year supportive transitional housing program, and our lifetime alumni support network.”

Building relationships is paramount at Lodi House and sets it apart from other shelter programs and services. “We see every person as valuable to our community. We want to get to know those who are interested in being part of Lodi House and learn how they can best fit into the Lodi House family,” says Shelby.

Lodi House’s focused program includes five women and their children closely monitored by staff. Having a small number of guests allows Lodi House staff to build trusting intentional relationships. Employment resources, including job connections through Lodi House work partnerships, are provided.

Last year, Lodi House piloted its first year-long job training program at the Lodi House Thrift Boutique.

To support, visit Lodi House Thrift Store Boutique at 221 W. Lodi Ave., to drop off unwanted items, meet the staff, and find out how to get involved with the dynamic nonprofit that helps some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

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