What started out as a two to three-year “hitch” has turned into a lifelong career for Elsa Snyder.
The Dos Palos resident is marking her 20th year as the director of Stephanie’s House—A Home for Special People.
The adult residential facility, located on a beautiful campus on Valeria Avenue just south of Dos Palos, houses 13 special needs adults, providing round-the-clock care.
On Saturday, April 5th, the organization will be hosting its fourth annual dinner/dance and casino night. It will be held at the Dos Palos DES Hall and start at 6 pm with a social hour and casino-style games. The dinner, which will be prepared by the Dos Palos Lions Club, will be served at 7 pm. There will also be live music provided by “Wild Hare.”
Stephanie’s House opened in 1983 when the property was donated with the hopes of helping special needs adults. While the five-plus acre campus is picturesque and the grounds are ornate, the buildings are definitely showing their age. For instance, proceeds from a previous casino night were used to replace one of the building’s six air conditioners.
“They are big units, so it was very expensive,” Snyder remembered. “Hopefully, we can now replace another one.”
But right now, the organization’s supporters are gearing to refurbish and remodel three bathrooms.
“The bathrooms are just getting old and they really need to be updated,” she explained.
“The response to our dinner over the last four years has been great,” Snyder remarked. “We want to thank the community for being so supportive of the home every time we do this fund-raiser.”
Besides the 13 residents, which is the home’s maximum allowed, there are also 18 employees who make up three shifts that provide 24-hour a day care.
And that, of course, includes Snyder.
“It was only supposed to be for a couple of years when I signed on, and now it’s 20 years later,” she remarked. “Our staff is doing an excellent job of meeting the needs of our residents and making sure they get the care they need.”
The organization’s board includes local business person Karen Caygle Ayala, who serves as president. Raissa Stephenson, a niece of a resident, is board secretary, and Dorothy Rye, who is the mother of a resident, is the board member.
To purchase tickets which cost $75, contact Snyder at 617-2821, Ron Snyder at 617-2822, Caygle at 587-0749, or Stephenson at 530-884-7738.
