Who We Are

About Us

Established in 2000, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County (Habitat Santa Barbara) is a local nonprofit that helps families build and improve a place to call home. We work towards our vision by building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with individuals and families in need of decent and affordable housing.

Our Impact

With the support of volunteers and donors, Habitat Santa Barbara has built 22 new homes for 84 people, 50% of which are children, as well as helped rebuild and repair more than 150 homes across Santa Barbara’s south county.

ReStore
Habitat Santa Barbara operates a ReStore, the nonprofit home improvement store that sells new and gently used building materials, appliances, furniture, home décor, and more. All inventory is donated and sold at a fraction of the retail price. The ReStore is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit Habitat Santa Barbara.

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 have an open-door policy. All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion.

Our Team

Meet Habitat Santa Barbara’s Board and Staff Members

Paul Wilson, President
Russell Werner, Vice President
Rhys Morris, Treasurer
Lora Fisher, Secretary
Ann Burgard
Doug Wood
Jan Hubbell
Janet Burki
Jon Martin
Karen Lyons
Nancy Locke
Maureen McDermut

Honorary Board
Ed Birch
Janet Garufis
Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper
Lynda Nahra
Rob Pearson
David Spainhour
Craig Zimmerman

Finance Committee
Michelle Brade – Pacific Western Bank
Janet Burki – Independent Management Consultant
Christopher Greco – Deckers Brands
Jolene Griffith – Certified Public Accountant
Levi Hayden – Damitz, Brooks, Nightingale, Turner & Morrisset
Antoinette McCauley – Montecito Bank & Trust
Rhys Morris – Union Bank
Tino Munoz – Bank of the Sierra
Stephanie Olson – Citizens Business Bank

Family Services Committee
Kathy Bauer
Jan Hubbell
Marcy Jochim
Gloria Macias-Perez
Fran Morrow
Laurie Paule
Chris Richardson
Tracy Stouffer
Paul Wilson
Roberta Wilson
Jean Wollenberg

Staff
Jessica Wishan – CEO
Daliah Baertschi – Volunteer Coordinator
Ruairi Bateson – ReStore Manager
Fiona Brennan – Director of Finance and Operations
Joel Delgado – ReStore Assistant Manager
Alexandra Hamill – Grants Manager
Danica Marter – Development Assistant
Kurt Russell – Community Programs Manager
Ron Whited – Construction Manager
Lauren Winnewisser- Director of Development and Communications

Charity Information
Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID # 77-0518264). We rely on donations from people like you to help serve families in need of stable and affordable housing. More information can be found on Habitat Santa Barbara’s 2018 Impact Report & 2017 IRS Form 990.