A Sanctuary Renewed
Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin and Mandolin Foundation Celebrate New Beginnings for Women and Families with the Gift to Amanda’s House Location
Green Bay, WI – In a powerful demonstration of faith, community, and transformation, the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin has gifted its former church property at 825 N Webster St in Green Bay to the Mandolin Foundation, creating a permanent home for Amanda’s House. The building, once a gathering place for worship, now becomes a beacon of hope, offering safe and compassionate housing for women and children on their recovery journey.
Amanda’s House, an inspiring program of the Mandolin Foundation, serves as much more than just a residence. It is a safe haven where women and their children find the support they need to reclaim their lives, reconnect with their community, and build new foundations for the future. Amanda’s House provides up to 12 months of housing, during which residents can focus on healing and growing while building vital life skills to help them thrive independently.
A Legacy Transformed for a New Purpose
The building on Webster Street holds deep meaning for the local community, dating back to the early 1900s when it was initially constructed to serve Belgian families migrating from southern Door County to Green Bay. For decades, the Diocese of Fond du Lac supported these families and other migrant communities through mission churches, with Blessed Sacrament becoming a spiritual home where many gathered for life’s most significant moments—from joyful weddings and baptisms to solemn farewells. As generations passed, the church continued to serve as a beloved place of worship and connection for those families. Now, as Amanda’s House, the building begins a new and permanent chapter, continuing as a gathering place for those needing comfort, care, and support while witnessing life’s many warm moments.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to see this space repurposed in a way that aligns so beautifully with our values,” said the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin. “This building, once filled with prayer and song, will now echo with the laughter of children, the warmth of family, and the resilience of women reclaiming their lives. It’s truly a space of transformation, and we’re delighted to open it up as a sanctuary of healing.”
The transformation from a church to a family-centered recovery space will involve extensive renovations, ensuring that the building’s original warmth and welcoming character are preserved while making it suitable for transitional housing. The hall, kitchen, offices, and apartment will be adapted to meet Amanda’s House residents' unique needs, creating a setting where women can learn, grow, and celebrate each step of their journey toward independence. Mandolin Foundation actively seeks funds through grants and fundraising to perform these transformations.
Community-Driven, Compassionate Care
At Amanda’s House, every detail is designed to provide dignity and empowerment for residents. The Mandolin Foundation operates with high standards established by the Wisconsin Association for Sober Housing (W.A.S.H.), ensuring all guests feel respected, valued, and safe. The facility is run by dedicated staff who offer life skills training, substance use recovery support, mental health advocacy, and connections to essential community resources. Each resident is guided to set and reach her own goals, with children welcomed and supported as an essential part of the recovery journey.
When reflecting on the work that is being done, Director and Founder Paula Jolly stated, “Amanda's House is our way of honoring Amanda’s memory by supporting families affected by substance use and mental health challenges, offering them hope and strength as they face difficult journeys.”
Volunteer Opportunities: A Chance to Give Back
This partnership doesn’t just bring new life to a cherished building—it opens doors for the entire community to unite to support a shared mission. The Diocese of Wisconsin invites community members, including former parishioners of Blessed Sacrament, to volunteer at Amanda’s House. Whether through reading stories with children, cooking meals with residents, gardening, or assisting with office tasks, volunteers have a unique opportunity to contribute to this transformative work.
“Amanda’s House is a place where everyone—residents, volunteers, staff, and supporters—plays a role in making hope a reality,” the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin continued. “We believe in the power of community to heal and uplift, and we encourage anyone moved by this mission to get involved.”
In support of this important work, the Diocese also contributed a Deacons Council Outreach Fund grant, further enabling Amanda’s House to continue its compassionate work for women and families.
A Place of Belonging and a Bright Future
Amanda’s House has been described as “a homecoming” for many women who have struggled with trauma and substance use, as well as their families who have been touched by these experiences. Here, residents find a place to stay and a community of people who care, understand, and cheer them on as they build a better tomorrow.
For more information about Amanda’s House or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit Mandolin Foundation.
Press Contacts:
Bexs Nelson
Communications Director
Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
715.364.9585
Bexs@diowis.org
Paula Jolly
Founder and Executive Director
Mandolin Foundation & Amanda's House
9204892070
mandolinfoundation@gmail.com
