The first time Christine Murphy took notice of the two-story complex in the 500 block of West Yosemite with a hint of 1910-era Mediterranean architecture touches; she thought to herself what a nice apartment building.

She had no idea the complex with a well-kept lawn and clean facade was a family homeless shelter.

Today, Murphy is part of a Chick-fil-A volunteer team that makes sure that an apartment in the HOPE Family Shelter not only has just the essential basic furnishings for a family but is also warm and inviting, right down to a toy chest filled to the brim but also a bookshelf jammed with age-appropriate reading for kids.

Chick-fil-A — along with TLC Real Estate — were recognized for their ongoing participation in the HOPE Family Shelters’ Adopt-a-Room program.

“It is a way to make them feel like they are at home,” said Regina Lackey of the effort of the TLC team that runs the gamut from painting the walls to providing couches that can also be used for sleeping, to bedding, linens, dishware, and more.

Lackey, whose “moonlighting job” is representing southeast Manteca on the City Council, noted the efforts of TLC over the years is an effort to make sure homeless families “won’t be super stressed” as they go through the steps during their stay so they can obtain their own shelter.

Efforts by TLC and Chick-fil-A — as well as other groups that Adopt-a-Room or else contribute individual items from furniture to towels and even help freshen up landscaping — are all a part of a community-based effort that has allowed HOPE Family Shelters enjoy what is arguably by far the region’s best success rate.

That means, with help during an up to 120-day stay addressing issues that led to them being homeless, 72 percent of the client families in 2025 were able to secure housing when they left HOPE Family Shelters.

The success rate in securing housing typically runs between 9 and 15 percent for other shelters.

“We’re happy we get to do it,” said Lori Little of TLC.

The real estate concern was first made aware of the shelter’s need by a dedicated group of women from Del Webb at Woodbridge who provide pillows for the shelters every year.

The rooms that TLC and Chick-fil-A have adopted are made more “homey” — comfortable and inviting, if you will — by wall paintings and knick knacks.

Chick-fil-A store director Jackie Camarena noted typically 10 to 15 staff members look forward to participating in the apartment do overs as a way to give back to the Manteca community.

Murphy, a Chick-fil-A team leader, has gone one step further.

She serves on the HOPE Family Shelter board.

The Chik-fil-A team is also stepping up to help raise the $450,000 a year that the shelter needs to serve an average of 270 people, with 80 percent of them children.

They are planning a lemonade stand fundraiser at the Chick-fil-A location on Yosemite Avenue near Highway 99 on April 16, 17, and 18.

Camarena indicated the goal is to raise $10,000.

HOPE Family Shelter Executive Director Cecily Ballungay noted that 19 of the 22 rooms between the family shelter on West Yosemite and the single mother/children shelter on Union Road have been “adopted.”

Each room and apartment building typically has three or four families that will use it during the course of a year.

The typical costs for covering the furnishing needs of an apartment or room are between $3,000 and $8,000 a year.

Ballungay added that the devoted efforts of community groups and members have created a living situation conducive to families feeling that they fit it.

Those hunting for apartments occasionally dropping by looking for a place to rent without realizing it’s a homeless shelter.

“It does happen occasionally,” HOPE Program Director Barabara Goode said of people assuming it’s a well-kept apartment complex that is an inviting place to live and knocking on the office door hoping there is a unit for rent.

For more information on how to help the shelter, go to hopefamilyshelters.org or call 209-655-7640. 

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com