Excell Center

Pros

• The reviewer had a great experience there and wouldn't trade it for anything.
• They had fun there, learned a lot, and have very good memories of Excell.
• The staff there were great and the employees were excellent.
• The reviewer loved the place and the staff.
• The reviewer described Linwood House as one of their best experiences and enjoyed the animals there.

Cons

• This place sucked.
• Staff let us fight and never did a thing to stop it.
• This Place is criminal.
• Neighbors always try to start fights and staff let kids get bullied.
• In the 90's excell was a in good shape now it just looks ran down so sad?

Review

Across several decades and many different locations tied to Excell Center and its surrounding houses, the threads of memory weave a complex picture. For some, these places were home and a source of genuine care, learning, and surprising moments of happiness. A few of the earliest recollections point to the very beginnings, when it was known as Jack Smith ranch, and the feeling there was one of warmth and possibility. A number of folks say they wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, and that the time spent there helped shape who they became. The sentiment runs through the years: some people remember a supportive, almost familial atmosphere, even as they faced the ordinary turbulence of adolescence and the challenges that come with group-home life.

In the early 1990s, a more concrete portrait emerges of a place that felt like it could be a fresh start. One reviewer recalls being there in 1991 at the Smith house and the Berkeley house, with staff described as great and the overall environment managed by respected figures they called Mr. D and Mr. Dahlgren. That memory carries gratitude for the people who showed up consistently - staff who were, in their view, reliable and kind, and a sense of routine and structure that offered a sense of safety during a formative time. The overall impression of those years is one of appreciation for the people who ran the houses and the sense of community they created for the residents.

From another arc of the same era, a different tone emerges. Several people remember Opal as a central figure who ran things, and they recall a supportive network of staff and caregivers who made a real difference. The fond recollections extend beyond the adults on site to the sense of belonging in the broader "Excell" ecosystem - houses with names (Smith house, Linwood house, the town-house with a pool) and a cascade of pets and animals that provided companionship and joy. Popular memories include the affection for staff who stayed or moved through the system, and the sense that there were meaningful connections with people who seemed invested in the kids' growth. One vivid thread is the affection for a familiar crew - Sandy, Danny, Jesse, and others - who helped create an environment where kids could feel seen and supported. In some accounts, the experience is framed as a real-life education, not just in academics but in how to navigate relationships, responsibility, and community.

Alongside the affection, there are pointed memories of life as a resident that carry a more mixed or even harsh note. A few reviewers describe moments of trouble or conflict, and they don't shy away from criticizing how problems were handled. There are explicit complaints about fights being allowed to escalate without timely intervention, and about punitive measures that seemed to miss the mark: "just wrote you up after so your levels dropped and you were stuck longer." One account even uses sharp language, calling the place "criminal" and lamenting the lack of real help during difficult episodes. Another comment captures the sense of vulnerability some kids felt when bullying was allowed to persist, with neighbors allegedly instigating fights and staff not stepping in quickly enough. These memories reflect a darker side of the experience, acknowledging that not every moment lived up to the ideals of care and safety.

Yet even within those criticisms, some memories stand out for their warmth and enduring gratitude. A number of people recall specific houses and leaders with deep affection: a claim that the Smith house was the best, a recollection of Opal's leadership, and a belief that certain staff made a real, lasting impact. The sentiment that the program could be a remarkably positive force persists in these accounts, even among those who experienced both highs and lows. For some, the story is framed as a testament to resilience: "Without these people I would have spent my life in a cell," one person writes, underscoring how transformative a few dedicated caretakers could be. The affection for Linwood house, for example, centers on animals and the sense of family that came with a close-knit team - Sandy, Danny, and Jesse - creating a community that felt safe and engaging.

The most recent notes in the collection reflect a mixed ending to the story of Excell Center and its properties. There is a blunt observation about maintenance and upkeep: what once felt like a sturdy, nurturing environment can deteriorate over time, and a visit years later reveals a property that seems run down and poorly kept. One parent's comment about visiting "a year ago" and finding conditions harsh enough to be sad captures a worrying trend that contrasts with earlier memories of well-kept homes and engaged staff. In another personal account, the sentiment shifts toward the present, with a parent describing their own child in the system as it stands now - "very nasty" - which signals ongoing concerns about safety, cleanliness, and quality of care. Even as some people recall the best houses and the best staff with genuine warmth, these recent remarks warn that changes in management, funding, or maintenance can erode the trust and comfort that once defined the experience.

Taken together, the collection paints a nuanced portrait of Excell Center and its network of houses. The memory tapestry includes profound gratitude for dedicated caregivers who offered stability, learning, and personal growth during a vulnerable period of life. It also includes sharp admonitions about fights, bullying, and lapses in protection, as well as reminders that facilities can fall into disrepair if attention and resources wane. The stories speak to a community that could be both a lifeline and a challenge, a place of real relationships and real risks, depending on the time, the people involved, and the particular house. For many, the enduring takeaway is that the impact of these experiences often came down to the people - the staff, the house leaders, and the specific environment - more than the walls themselves.

Ultimately, the thread that persists across voices is a belief in the potential of care to shape futures, tempered by the reality that care requires consistent, proactive effort. Some describe Excell Center as a sanctuary where they learned to navigate life and discovered a sense of belonging; others remember moments when the system failed to intervene quickly enough or kept children in patterns that felt punitive rather than restorative. The sentiment remains that, for better or worse, these places left a lasting imprint on those who passed through them, shaping choices, retreat, resilience, and, for many, a lasting appreciation for those who treated them with kindness and gave them a chance to grow.

Restaurants

• Jack In The Box (1.5 miles)
• First And Main (2.1 miles)
• Memo's Cocina & Tequila Bar (2.1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.1 miles)
• Taqueria Hidalgo (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (4.2 miles)
• The Sweet Life (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)
• Starbucks (12.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Save Mart Supermarkets (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Tower Compounding Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Boies Medical Center Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Cesar Acosta DMD, Family Dentistry (2.4 miles)
• Central Valley Cardiovascular (2.8 miles)
• Obgyn Associates of Turlock (2.9 miles)
• Turlock Medical Office (2.9 miles)
• Turlock Imaging Services (3 miles)
• Iraj Sabahi (3 miles)
• Stanford Emanuel Radiation Oncology Center (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Mark One Corporation (2.5 miles)
• Northern California Surgery Center (4.3 miles)
• Frisancho, Miguel A DDS (12.4 miles)

Parks

• Donnelly Park (3.2 miles)
• Communty Center Park (4.3 miles)
• Four Seasons Park (4.7 miles)
• Memory Lane Pergola (4.8 miles)
• McConnell State Recreation Area (7.2 miles)
• Hagaman Park (7.6 miles)
• Parks & Recreation Department (11.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Turlock (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Rosary Catholic Church (4.4 miles)
• Pentecostal Church of God (12.7 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (13.5 miles)