Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County (Habitat Santa Barbara) is a local nonprofit committed to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We partner with low-income individuals and families in Southern Santa Barbara County to build or improve a place to call home. Homeowners build alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat Santa Barbara has built 22 new homes for 84 people, 50% of which are children, as well as help re-build and repair 150 homes across Santa Barbara’s South county.
ReStoreHabitat Santa Barbara operates a ReStore, a social enterprise entity serving as a home improvement store that helps builds homes. The ReStore is a donation center that is open to the public, and sells new and gently used home improvement goods, at a fraction of the retail price. All sales fund local programs.
Disaster Response
In response to the January 2018 Montecito Debris Flow, Habitat Santa Barbara supported disaster recovery by mobilizing nearly 2,000 volunteers to support approximately 110 devastated homes in the area – rebuilding neighborhoods and transforming communities. Habitat Santa Barbara’s work is made possible from the generosity and dedication of donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Our Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
All Are Welcome: We welcome volunteers and supporters to help serve people in need of decent housing regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people.
Our Team
Meet Habitat Santa Barbara’s Board and Staff Members
Board of Directors
Paul Wilson, President
Dean Given, Vice President & Secretary
Chris Greco, Treasurer
Marcus Bird
Ann Burgard
Lora Fisher
Nancy Locke
Jon Martin
Maureen McDermut
Ken Rideout
Russell Werner
Jennifer Zacharias
Honorary Board
Ed Birch
Janet Garufis
Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper
Lynda Nahra
Rob Pearson
David Spainhour
Craig Zimmerman
Board Emeritus
Jan Hubbell
Rob Teel
Doug Wood
Finance Committee
Wenda A. Baerg – Vice President, Citizens Business Bank
Janet Burki – Independent Management Consultant
Christopher Greco – Senior Director and Treasurer, Deckers Brands
Jolene Griffith – Certified Public Accountant
Levi Hayden – Senior Tax Associate, Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner & Morrisset
Antoinette McCauley – Vice President, Manager of Real Estate Industries Group, Montecito Bank and Trust
Rhys Morris – Managing Director, Union Bank
Tino Munoz – Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, Bank of the Sierra
Staff
Jessica Wishan – CEO
Ruairi Bateson – ReStore Manager
Liz Beebe – Program Innovations Manager
Fiona Brennan – Director of Finance and Operations
Joel Delgado – ReStore Assistant Manager
Alexandra Hamill – Grants Manager
Jack Hyland – AmeriCorps National Service Member
Danica Marter – AmeriCorps VISTA Service Member
Lauren Winnewisser- Director of Development and Communications