Jacob’s House, a revered nonprofit in the region dedicated to serving families in crisis, is hoping to make even a greater impact in 2026.
“The founders of this organization took their pain and turned it into a passion for the community in which they live and serve,” said Dr. Lisa Chapman, Executive Director of Jacob’s House. “We want to make sure that our families experience everything that’s necessary to receive the support they need, helping them to just solely think about their loved ones while they’re being cared for in the hospital.
“That’s the most important thing,” she added. “If we can alleviate having to worry about where you’re going to be laying your head to rest tonight or feeding your family… that’s everything to us.”
The Temecula-based organization, which sprang to life in 2013, has consistently provided shelter, and physical, emotional, and spiritual support for families in need. From the beginning, its mission was filled with good intentions and heartfelt emotions, stemming back to Jacob Nelson’s birth in 1982 to Shawn and Stephanie Nelson.
Like most families raising children, the Nelsons kept their family secure and safe. But when Jennifer, one of Jacob’s sisters, was involved in a severe car accident 1997, the Nelson family turned to Ronald McDonald House, which helped them—and Jennifer—move through one of the most challenging experiences during the child’s recovery.
The Nelsons were greatly inspired by Ronald McDonald House, but they would never know at the time that the experience foreshadowed the services they themselves would offer the community many years later.
In 2006, Jacob died in a traffic accident at the age of 24. Shawn Nelson, then Temecula’s City Manager, spoke at a fundraising benefitting Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda, relaying his childrens’ stories while also noting his strong support of building a Ronald McDonald House in Temecula.
After surfing through several planning hiccups to assure that the hospital would include all age groups, particularly children, Nelson was then presented with a unique idea: Why not name the new house after his son, Jacob, whose positive influence on young people in the region was significant.
By 2013, the dream became a reality.
The Jacob’s House legacy continues to thrive today, in fact, and thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through the Community Impact Fund, the nonprofit is looking to how it can further help families in need in 2026.
“The IECF grant was extremely helpful in many ways,” said Paige Adame-Benoun, the nonprofit’s Operations Coordinator. “Honestly, the most important piece is that the money we get, whether it’s grants or donations, goes directly back into the house so we can keep our doors open and have the house operating so that the families who need our services don’t have to worry about a single thing when they get to us.”
To that end, the rooms in the home, which sits on 2.3 acres of land located in the Santiago Estates, just over a half-mile from Temecula Valley Hospital, are kept and the house has plenty of food and groceries. Laundry services are also provided, allowing residents to do their laundry with supplies on hand.
“We want to always be able to accept families when they need our support during such trying times,” Adame-Benoun added.
Broken down further, Jacob’s House offers basic human needs—at no cost—for families when their loved ones are hospitalized. Beyond lodging, food, water, and vital connections to resources—from mental, spiritual, and religious to institutional and government—are provided.
Looking ahead, Chapman points out the nonprofit’s Open the Door for Family campaign. “That’s one of the ways people can directly donate online,” she said. “We’re also looking for volunteers to contribute by being a support for our families. Our volunteers are a major reason why we’re able to do what we do.”
In the meantime, mark your calendars for the upcoming annual Jacob’s House Golf Tournament at Pechanga Golf Course on June 12, 2026.
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, January, 2026.
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