A Short History

A group of parents of adult children with developmental and physical disabilities met in the Downey home of Jack and Marie Lindsay in 1987. This group included June and Bill Brennan and Jim and Phyllis Gillespie, also of Downey. They were concerned about the lack of adequate housing and services for their adult children at a time when they could no longer care for them. From these gatherings, Marian Homes, a name suggested by June, was initiated. It's goal was and is to establish nurturing and loving homes in Southern California for this population and to insure that their emotional and spiritual needs are met.

Jim Gillespie, an attorney, provided pro bono legal assistance and helped the group incorporate as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 1988. A board was formed and fund-raising began. The Knute Rockne Council of the Knights of Columbus in Downey was the first council to financially support Marian Homes and Bishop Juan Arzube, auxiliary bishop of the San Gabriel Region endorsed the concept of Marian Homes to the San Gabriel Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, which has since donated most of their annual MR drive funds to Marian Homes each year.

Our first home, a real house, opened in 1991. Gabriel House is located in West Covina and is home to six women. In 1996 a home for six men, Alhambra House, was opened in Rowland Heights. Marian Homes received a large grant from the International Order of the Alhambra for the down payment on this home. In 2001 Marian Homes received approval of it's HUD section 811 application, which has paid off the mortgages on these two homes.

In the late 1990s Marian Homes received substantial funding from Alleluia Village, a nonprofit housing organization in Orange County. Alleluia Village had to close it's doors and dissolve it's nonprofit status. Marian Homes was the beneficiary of it's assets. The funds were given to Marian Homes with the understanding that two facilities in Orange County would be purchased as housing for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2001 a four unit apartment building in Fullerton was purchased which provides independent living to nine individuals with disabilities. Marian Homes also received a $50,000 no interest loan from the Columbian Foundation of the Knights of Columbus to help with its purchase.

Along the way we have received much needed and appreciated financial assistance from individual donors and nonprofit charitable foundations that have helped keep the Marian Homes mission of helping adults with developmental and physical disabilities living fulfilling and spiritual lives in caring and nurturing home environments. Our hope is to continue this mission in the years to come with the same dedication and love Marian Homes exemplifies as reflected in it's dedicated staff and Board of Directors. We ask that you keep Marian Homes in your prayers as we begin our next decade.