History Of Significant Events (1979 - 2006)

  • The Woman Known as Mary Magdalene
    There is no biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. We consider her to have been the first apostle chosen by Jesus and the apostle to all the other apostles. She was healed by Jesus and her response to having been healed was to serve others. This is the role model we have chosen to lift up for the women of the Mary Magdalene Project.
  • 1979
    Steering Committee organized by Rev. Ross Greek
  • June 1980
    Mary Magdalene Project started by the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church with a grant from United Presbyterian Women in the amount of $30,000. Leased current Reseda residence. Rev. Ann Hayman hired as Director.
  • September 1980
    First two residents arrive at Mary Magdalene Project.
  • December 1982
    Chartered as a non-profit corporation by the State of California.
  • 1983 - 1984
    Graduate of Mary Magdalene Project serves as Assistant Director for 9 months.
  • March 1984
    Mobile Mercantile organized as the business arm of the Mary Magdalene Project to provide an ongoing source of income.
  • September 1984
    Orange County Task Force organized.
  • June 1985
    Five-year anniversary celebrated at Little Joe's Restaurant, Los Angeles. Past graduates of Mary Magdalene Project were present to tell their stories. City of Pasadena approaches Mary Magdalene Project about a site in Pasadena.
  • 1984 - 1986
    Graduate of Mary Magdalene Project serves as bookkeeper for Project.
  • July 1986
    First meeting of Pasadena Task Force held.
  • August 1986
    Rev. Linda Culbertson hired to be Director of new Orange County Site. House in Santa Ana purchased.
  • December 1986
    House in Reseda purchased.
  • January 1987
    First residents arrive at Orange County.
  • October 1987
    Premiere showing of "These My Sister", 16-minute video produced and donated by Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises.
  • November 1987
    Former resident of Mary Magdalene Project hired to serve as Associate for Development in Commerce Office, and Assistant Director at Orange County Program Site.
  • November 1988
    First Annual Benefit Auction.
  • June 1989
    Grant from Bettingen Corporation retires mortgages on both houses.
  • August 1989
    Consultant hired to do development and research for the Pasadena Program Site.
  • June 1990
    Celebrating 10 years of this unique program which transforms lives. TEN YEAR CELEBRATION CAMPAIGN to raise $300,000 for Endowment Fund begins.
  • November 1990
    Review, evaluation and goal setting process begin.
  • June 1991
    Study complete and recommendations accepted by Board of Directors. Goals set for future.
  • April 1992
    Transitional Living Center Task Force begins work.
  • May 1992
    Orange County Program Site is sold.
  • January 1993
    Executive Director is hired. First phase of the Transitional program begins.
  • March 1993
    Director of Volunteers hired.
  • January 1994
    Northridge earthquake strikes; $45,000 in repairs required at Reseda Site.
  • June 1995
    Strategic Plan conducted. 15-Year celebration at Knott's Berry Farm. Consultant hired to procure site for Transitional Living Center.
  • February 1996
    Transitional Living Center opens to serve women completing the primary care program in Reseda.
  • March 1996
    Capital Campaign to raise $475,000 is begun.
  • September 1996
    Nine women and ten children are living at Transitional Living Center.
  • June 1997
    Mortgage at Transitional Living Center is paid in full.
  • November 1997
    Tenth Annual Auction is most successful event to date.
  • March 1998
    Capital Campaign complete; over $476,000 raised.
  • August 1998
    Assistant Program Director hired.
  • September 1998
    Beyond 2000 research Project begins.
  • April 1999
    Children's Program begins. Coordinator hired.
  • June 2000
    20th Anniversary Celebration.
  • February 2001
    "Off the Hook" art exhibit at SK Gallery, Venice.
  • June 9, 2001
    20th Anniversary Gala. Presentation of Beyond 2000 research Project.
  • February 2002
    Special benefit performance of the Vagina Monologues benefits the MMP.
  • June 2003
    MMP Advisory Council presents their Second Annual Spring Gala, "Night at the Cotton Club" at the Armand Hammer Museum.
  • November 2003
    MMP leads the way by developing a set of training materials and a video for social workers, foster parents and case managers who work with children of prostituted women.
  • December 2003
    Dr. Martin McCombs, PhD is hired as Executive Director following three months of organizational development consulting requested by the MMP Board of Directors.
  • December 2003
    Dr. Martin McCombs, PhD is hired as Executive Director following three months of organizational development consulting requested by the MMP Board of Directors.
  • January 2004
    Lynda Ingham of Occidental Petroleum, Inc., and former Advisory Council member, is installed as Board President, Roz Teller, of nonprofit organizational development company Teller Associates is installed as President Elect, and Chuck Wakamoto as Secretary Treasurer.
  • November 2004
    Dreamweaver 2004, the silent auction black tie and dinner event is successfully staged at Pasadena Hilton, raising money and awareness for The Mary Magdalene Project.

    New Board member Reverend Catherine Hughes is recruited to membership on the MMP Board of Directors
  • December 2004
    The Mary Magdalene Project receives a grant from The Ahmanson Foundation to buy a new 12-passenger van for transporting of clients, replacing an old and on its last legs mode of transportation.
  • 2005, MMP’s “Silver Anniversary” Year
  • January 2005
    Kathleen Hayden is installed as Board President, Roz Teller as President-Elect, and Chuck Wamoto as Secretary-Treasurer.

    New board members Frances Hayden and Rose Penneycooke are recruited to membership on the MMP Board of Directors.

    Executive Director Dr. Martin McCombs, former Executive Director Jerri Rodewald, former Board President Katherine Dean and former Volunteer Coordinator Shari Stump form the 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee and kick off the Silver Anniversary "Turn Our Silver Into Gold" campaign, an effort to solidify the next 25 years of MMP's future. They create The Ann Hayman Tribute Fund, the Capital Campaign Fund, and the Keep Our Doors Open! general operating funds categories.
  • June 2005
    In a dedication ceremony in June 4, 2005, the MMP residence in Reseda, California, is re-named "The Ann L. Hayman House," in honor of the extraordinary service and commitments of Reverend Ann L. Hayman, the MMP's first and only Program Director in all of our 25 year history. The ribbon cutting ceremony includes former LAPD Officer and current LA City Councilmember Denniz P. Zine, KCBS Anchor Ann Martin, and members of Ann Hayman's family, including her mother visiting from Idaho present for the occasion.
  • December 2005
    In one of the Silver Anniversary's campaign most important successes, longtime supporter Eleanor Krivin creates MMP's first long term planned giving program, by transferring significant assets to MMP for investment and program services and creating an annuity return option for the donor. Planned Giving programs create exceptional tax savings for the donor and their heirs while allowing the nonprofit involved to realize important financial and strategic planning gains.

    MMP announces that The Ann Hayman Tribute Fund has successfully reached its cap and Reverend Ann Hayman will be granted a 6 month sabbatical, allowing her time to rest, pursue long-set aside writing and research projects, and that when she returns she will pursue yet another commitment to the successes of The Mary Magdalene Project by becoming our first Director of Development. Case Manager Donna Hernandez is tapped to step into the Acting Program Director Role.

    Jerri Rodewald, board member, advisory council member, and former Executive Director of many years and numerous, exceptional leadership successes, retires from the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and committee work at MMP. An extraordinary presence for many years, and in many ways responsible for the longevity and survival of the organization, Jerri modestly refuses all of the requests for actions the organization wishes to take to honor her. The MMP Board of Directors passes a resolution in its December 2005 board meeting acknowledging her amazing work and the debt of gratitude owed her by the organization.
  • March 2006
    Acting Program Director Donna Hernandez, Case Manager 2003-2005, accepts the position of Program Director.
  • April 2006
    The Program Committee of the Board of Directors, Program Director Donna Hernandez, and Executive Director Dr. Martin McCombs announce plans for extension and expansion of services at MMP. These include the addition of a Consulting Clinical Director, additional overnight staff, the formation of a new Therapists Group, additional clinical services, and the establishment of a collaboration with Via Avanta Substance Abuse Recovery Program in Pacoima, CA.
    The collaboration allows Via Avanta to place their program graduates who have infants and a history of prostitution related to drug abuse to be placed in the MMP transitional living facility for 18-month programs. Via Avanta is a 9-month inpatient substance abuse recovery program specializing in services to lower SES women with dependent infants. In creating the collaboration MMP benefits by an expanded use of housing programs, an increase in substance abuse recovery supportive services for MMP program residents, and women who seek entry into the MMP program to leave prostitution who require addiction recovery rehab programs prior to entry are given priority status at Via Avanta when referred by MMP staff.
  • July 2006
    Sabra Bendaw is recruited to MMP staff to serve as Resident Manager at MMP's Shared Living / Transitional Living Community apartment building. Sabra will support the programmatic and building management needs of MMP's sober living environment, as well as increase security and establish an after hours and on call presence of staff in the building for other than regular business hours.

    Hayman House namesake and 26-year veteran Reverend Ann L. Hayman returns from her 6 month sabbatical leave to begin her new role with Mary Magdalene Project as Director of Development. Installing a Director of Development position at MMP is a long-held goal and an accomplishment sought as an organization for several years.

    The LA Times features a story on The Mary Magdalene Project in its Sunday, July 3rd California section “A Chance at Renewal After Life on The Streets.”
  • August 2006
    The Ahmanson Foundation announces it will provide an $85,000 grant to The Mary Magdalene Project to refurbish and renovate the Shared Living Community at the Van Nuys facility housing the MMP offices and serving as the site of the Family Reunification Program and the Transitional Living Program.
  • November 2006
    MMP hosted its special black tie event “A Night on the Orient Express” at downtown LA’s beautiful and newly refurbished Union Station. One of the most popular features of the evening was the ability to travel to the elegant locale by trains from points all over Southern California. Many revelers traveled the rails in period costume on their own private cars for a colorful evening of festivities.
  • December 2006
    Board officer slates are approved for 2007. Roz Teller will serve as Board President for 2007, Rose Pennycooke is elected President-Elect, and Chuck Wakamoto will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.
  • February 2007
    Orange County Keyturners host “From the Heart,” a Valentines event fundraiser to support MMP at the Newport Coast oceanside home of Bob and Marge Green.
  • September 2007
    “Journey to Casablanca - A Night At Rick’s Café Americain,” is held at Union Station, repeating the wildly popular event location of MMP’s 2006 black tie event. The “Bogey Martini” and “Ingrid’s Blush” are special drink concoctions for the evening with Moroccan-themed food catered by Dickensen’s West Catering of Pasadena. LA City Councilman Tony Cardenas is honored.
  • October 2007
    MMP hosts an Open House to show off the use of The Ahmanson Foundation grant for its newly refurbished offices and apartment building at its Van Nuys facility.
  • December 2007
    Board officers are installed for 2008. Anne Christensen to serve as President, Chuck Wakamoto as Secretary-Treasurer, and President-Elect post is filled in January 2008 by Linda Peterson.
  • February 2008
    Program Director Donna Hernandez finishes her three-year tenure at Mary Magdalene Project, leaving her position as Program Director. Donna is replaced as Program Director by Dianne Amato, formerly of San Francisco, California, where her management and leadership experience includes working for Safe House and with SAGE, both prostitution recovery programs.
  • March 2008
    MMP Board of Directors takes pre-emptive steps to protect the future of services at The Mary Magdalene Project. Revamping the delivery of services, initiating staff reductions and instituting the sale of the Van Nuys property works together to relieve the strain of running services and programs in a difficult economy.
  • April 2008
    The Mary Magdalene Project Board of Directors and Event Chair Lynda Ingham announce the location, date and theme of the 2008 Auction Event Fundraiser. “American Graffiti” will serve as the theme of a festive Saturday evening, October 25th costume extravaganza to be held at The Peterson Automotive Museum in the mid-Wilshire Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles.
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