The main office of Ray of Hope Children’s Crisis and Resources Services serving San Joaquin County and parts of Stanislaus County have been at 113 E. Yosemite Ave. for the past 10 years.

The building is also home to the Manteca Bedquarters and, on the exterior facing North Main Street, features the Veterans’ mural wall.

The Manteca City Council made a “bold decision” – those were the words of City Manager Toni Lungren at the January meeting – to purchase the historic IOOF Hall built in 1913 at $1.2 million as part of a makeover of the iconic building in an effort to enhance the appeal of downtown.

The move also puts Ray of Hope in a difficult position to relocate.

“This is a huge hardship on us,” said Executive Director Laura Saunders on Tuesday.

Many improvements had been made to the upstairs of the building after the former owner had informed Ray of Hope that this would be “a forever home,” according to Saunders.

But after the owner passed away, the partner decided to sell. As a result, Ray of Hope was given through May to relocate.

Saunders said the hope for Ray of Hope is to remain headquartered in Manteca – Ripon and Lathrop are other options – with Modesto already offering a place.

The City of Manteca has indicated it will help the Ray of Hope look for a new location.

Ray of Hope services over 2,000 clients – over 1,800 children took part in the Guardian Angel Program during the past holiday – with many being referrals from agencies such as San Joaquin County Child Protective Services, Child Abuse Protection Council, and Human Service Agency, to name a few.

With its various services offered (Babies in Crisis, Students in Need, and the Kids Cupboard Food Pantry, to name a few) throughout the year, Ray of Hope, ideally, is looking for a 3,000-plus square foot warehouse with an office space.

“We would prefer stay here where our focus is on (south) San Joaquin County,” Saunders said.

For more information, call 209.597.0574.