Our Story, Our Mission

The Mandolin Foundation was established on January 1, 2020, by Paula Jolly and her daughter, Amanda Lynn, after they searched for sober living options in the area and found that choices were limited. Amanda struggled with opioid use disorder for 10 years, and her experiences with rehab, relapse, and even giving birth while incarcerated revealed the urgent need for family-based recovery services for women and their children experiencing substance use disorders (SUD). Even in the grip of addiction, Amanda believed we could do better—and do it together.

 

The concept for Amanda’s House grew out of this shared vision. Paula often called her daughter by her full name, Amanda Lynn, and people frequently misheard it as “Mandolin.” From this, the Mandolin Foundation took its name and became the nonprofit that oversees Amanda’s House. Although the house is named after Amanda, she tragically lost her fight with addiction on February 10, 2020, two years before the home opened in March 2022. 

 

Today, Amanda’s House offers compassionate transitional housing for women seeking recovery from substance use disorder, trauma, and mental health challenges, continuing Amanda’s legacy of hope and healing for women and their families.

Keeping Families Together

Amanda’s House offers a unique and special path to recovery. We stand apart by providing safe, supportive sober living specifically for women and their children. Unlike many programs, we believe that keeping families together is crucial for long-term healing and stability, working diligently to break the generational cycle of trauma and Substance Use Disorder.

Filling a Painful Gap

We opened Amanda’s House in 2022 to address a critical need. Before us, there were no sober living options in Green Bay where women in recovery could live with their children. Many programs forced mothers to make an impossible choice: seek help for themselves or stay with their kids. We offer a solution, ensuring that women can pursue recovery without sacrificing their family bonds.

Our Guiding Principles

At Amanda's House, our approach is built on fundamental values that define our community and support system:

  • Understanding & Empathy – We see the whole person, not just the addiction, offering compassionate support.
  • Honesty & Realness – We foster an environment of straightforward communication and transparency.
  • Lived Experience – Our dedicated staff and volunteers understand recovery from the inside out, providing authentic guidance.
  • Boundaries with Care – We maintain clear, healthy boundaries while always acting with kindness and respect.

"The program here at Amanda’s House really helps!  It gets us prepared for the outside world."

SFormer resident