History

History Of Significant Events (1979 - 2009)

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.

July 2009
Mary Magdalene Project takes a bold step into the future by relocating its offices and simultaneously opening the city’s first Drop In Clinic for working prostitutes. Both as an endeavor to step up to its responsibility as the only Southern California social service provider with extensive expertise in dealing with adult prostitutes, and to increase its overall community level impact, the new Drop In Center is based upon a successful sister agency in San Francisco known as SAGE Project. It is a harm reduction intervention providing condoms, safe harbor, a place to relax and get food and beverage, social service referrals, HIV testing and counseling, domestic violence groups in English and Spanish, Prostitution Exit support groups, and case management services. While MMP’s longstanding housing intervention model requires leaving prostitution to enroll, the Drop In Center will assist working prostitutes in taking the steps necessary to get out permanently.
June 2009
Clinical psychologist and Antioch University graduate professor Andrew Jen, Ph.D., joins Mary Magdalene Project’s Board of Directors. Dr. Jen’s specialties include multicultural counseling and expertise in sexuality and aggression.
April 2009
Captain Ann E. Young of the Los Angeles Police Department joins the Mary Magdalene Project Advisory Board. Captain Young is a Commanding Officer of the LAPD, Detective Support and Vice Division, and is recognized as the first African American female to reach the rank of Captain in the LAPD.
August 2008
The Mary Magdalene Project Programs Committee presents a comprehensive review of all global prostitution prevention and treatment services and programs to The Mary Magdalene Project Board of Directors and Therapist Committee at a Programs Strategic Planning Retreat. As a result, the Board makes a commitment to the following programmatic goals: (1) continue and maintain services at Hayman House longer-term residential facility, Transitional Living Program, and Family Reunification Program (2) Commit to opening a Drop In Center for working prostitutes, (3) Formalize an Emergency Assistance Intervention Program for MMP graduates facing emergency circumstances that put them at risk for prostitution or substance abuse relapse, (4) develop increased resources for parents turning to MMP for advice when confronting young women entranced by prostitution, (5) investigate increased public speaking outreach to at risk female youth, such as juvenile justice and foster care settings, and (6) increase its public profile to the community at large.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
March 2006
Acting Program Director Donna Hernandez, Case Manager 2003-2005, accepts the position of Program Director.
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.
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.
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.
2005, MMP’s “Silver Anniversary” Year
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
June 2003
MMP Advisory Council presents their Second Annual Spring Gala, "Night at the Cotton Club" at the Armand Hammer Museum.
February 2002
Special benefit performance of the Vagina Monologues benefits the MMP.
June 9, 2001
20th Anniversary Gala. Presentation of Beyond 2000 research Project.
February 2001
"Off the Hook" art exhibit at SK Gallery, Venice.
June 2000
20th Anniversary Celebration.
April 1999
Children's Program begins. Coordinator hired.
September 1998
Beyond 2000 research Project begins.
August 1998
Assistant Program Director hired.
March 1998
Capital Campaign complete; over $476,000 raised.
November 1997
Tenth Annual Auction is most successful event to date.
June 1997
Mortgage at Transitional Living Center is paid in full.
September 1996
Nine women and ten children are living at Transitional Living Center.
March 1996
Capital Campaign to raise $475,000 is begun.
February 1996
Transitional Living Center opens to serve women completing the primary care program in Reseda.
June 1995
Strategic Plan conducted. 15-Year celebration at Knott's Berry Farm. Consultant hired to procure site for Transitional Living Center.
January 1994
Northridge earthquake strikes; $45,000 in repairs required at Reseda Site.
March 1993
Director of Volunteers hired.
January 1993
Executive Director is hired. First phase of the Transitional program begins.
May 1992
Orange County Program Site is sold.
April 1992
Transitional Living Center Task Force begins work.
June 1991
Study complete and recommendations accepted by Board of Directors. Goals set for future.
November 1990
Review, evaluation and goal setting process begin.
June 1990
Celebrating 10 years of this unique program which transforms lives. TEN YEAR CELEBRATION CAMPAIGN to raise $300,000 for Endowment Fund begins.
August 1989
Consultant hired to do development and research for the Pasadena Program Site.
June 1989
Grant from Bettingen Corporation retires mortgages on both houses.
November 1988
First Annual Benefit Auction.
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.
October 1987
Premiere showing of "These My Sister", 16-minute video produced and donated by Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises.
January 1987
First residents arrive at Orange County.
December 1986
House in Reseda purchased.
August 1986
Rev. Linda Culbertson hired to be Director of new Orange County Site. House in Santa Ana purchased.
July 1986
First meeting of Pasadena Task Force held.
1984 - 1986
Graduate of Mary Magdalene Project serves as bookkeeper for Project.
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.
September 1984
Orange County Task Force organized.
March 1984
Mobile Mercantile organized as the business arm of the Mary Magdalene Project to provide an ongoing source of income.
1983 - 1984
Graduate of Mary Magdalene Project serves as Assistant Director for 9 months.
December 1982
Chartered as a non-profit corporation by the State of California.
September 1980
First two residents arrive at Mary Magdalene Project.
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.
1979
Steering Committee organized by Rev. Ross Greek