Our History
THREE DECADES OF SERVING AND LOVING THE MARGINALIZED
The History of Kathy’s House
Our founder, Diana Spitz, shares a heartfelt account of the difficult life events that inspired her to create Kathy’s House. For nearly thirty years, while our programs have evolved, our mission has remained constant: to extend God’s love to those in pain and in need of healing.
Kathy’s House
A Brief Overview
Named in honor of Kathy Stirling, a devoted wife, mother of three, and Capistrano Beach resident, Kathy’s House draws inspiration from her life. Kathy, a missionary in Romania until her passing at 41, embodied a deep compassion for women in need. Her legacy moved Diana Spitz to create a place where women could find the same care and support in a structured, faith-based environment.
Diana, who had long partnered with her husband in ministry at Victory House and Lakeland Ranch, founded in 1987 to serve men, felt a calling to extend her outreach to women. Inspired by Kathy’s example, she founded the first Kathy’s House in Southern California in 1997, providing a refuge for mothers and children in crisis.
In 2013, Kathy’s House expanded internationally, rescuing over 5,200 enslaved children and families overseas while equipping them with the tools to build sustainable futures in their newfound freedom.
In 2019, Kathy’s House refocused on the U.S. and opened a new home in California dedicated to helping men recently released from prison or recovering from addiction, guiding them toward new careers and transformed lives. In 2020, an additional home for women, including pregnant women, was launched. The most recent addition, Nehemiah House, opened in 2023, serves as a transition home for men who’ve completed the year-long program and wish to remain in the area, continuing their recovery journey in a supportive community.
Kathy’s House has helped over 800 individuals in Southern California rebuild their lives, enabling them to reenter society as productive and fulfilled citizens.
Kathy’s House Timeline
What does the future look like for Kathy’s House?
Despite our limited resources, space, and staff, we are incredibly proud of the lives we’ve touched. But we know there are countless more who need help, and the need is greater than ever.
Our vision is to raise up leaders from within and build support through partnerships. By expanding our thrift store operations—which fully fund our mission—we aim to grow beyond Southern California and serve areas across the U.S. where the need is greatest.
With strategic alliances, empowered leadership, and generous partners like you, we believe we can establish Kathy’s House homes across the nation. By transforming one life at a time, we can raise up a generation of world-changers.