Paul Lee,
Co-Founder
Paul Lee is a philosopher, philanthropist, homeless advocate. He studied philosophy at St. Olaf College and received his divinity degree and PhD from Harvard. He taught at Harvard, MIT, and UC Santa Cruz, where he founded the first organic garden on a university with Alan Chadwick in 1967. In 1976 alongside Paige Smith, he began the California Conservation Corps under Jerry Brown's administration. Paul organized and proposed the Greenbelt Initiative to save the Pogonip in 1978. In 1985 he founded the organization that became Santa Cruz's Homeless Services Center and the Homeless Garden Project. He is also an author; his books include: There is a Garden in the Mind, The Quality of Mercy, Florence the Goose, and a play, A Lullaby for Wittgenstein.
Lynne Basehore Cooper,
Co-Founder
Lynne is the Founding Director of the Homeless Garden Project. Her motivating vision was to provide homeless citizens sanctuary, healing and jobs by growing a productive and beautiful garden within the community. Lynne pioneered the social service enterprise model that continues to thrive at the Project today. Lynne’s experience includes Management, Communications, Interpersonal Relations, Administration & Holistic Health. Lynne has a degree in Art from UCSC. From Lynne’s original Mission Statement for the Homeless Garden Project, “The garden is a context where an exchange can happen: homeless folks “producing” healthy organic food for sale and contributing to the community, and the community supporting, volunteering and keeping viable the opportunities for others.”
Darrie Ganzhorn,
Executive Director
Darrie has worked with Homeless Garden Project since 1991 and has led the Project since 2008. Under Darrie’s leadership, the Project has developed the transitional employment program and its goals, grown revenue four-fold, and has successfully completed a 3.5 million capital campaign. Darrie has primary responsibility for vision and planning, fundraising, program direction, financial management, public relations and staff support of the Project's Board of Directors.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 12
Paul Goldberg,
Director of Development
Paul has been a nonprofit fundraiser since 2003, working for a variety of organizations dedicated to the social good, including the Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn, NY and the Rockwood Leadership Institute in Berkeley, CA. Living in the Santa Cruz Mountains since 2010, Paul is a deeply committed social justice advocate and environmentalist, as well as an avid fan of live music. He is extremely excited to be a part of the team at The Homeless Garden Project.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 13
Claude Rosen,
Director of Operations
Claude brings a decade of experience in operations and finance roles in the nonprofit sector, including work with organizations in the sustainable food, workforce development, and homelessness sectors. Claude most recently was with the Nonprofit Finance Fund, where he supported nonprofits experiencing growth in both capital project and business planning.
[email protected]
(607) 316-2885
Angie Smith,
Value-Added Enterprise & Retail Manager
Angie came to the Project as a volunteer bringing her love of cooking for others and sharing great meals. She volunteered at the farm cooking lunch twice weekly for trainees, volunteers and staff. From there, she volunteered on the Holiday Store Committee sharing her expertise in retail, marketing and products. In Jan 2014, Angie was hired to manage the retail store, online store and product expansion. She is committed to using the store as an avenue for community outreach and increased revenue to support current operations and future growth.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 11
Now Hiring: Development Associate
Atalanta Kyriazi, Volunteer Manager
Atalanta joins the Homeless Garden Project with several years of community engagement experience. She has most recently managed the volunteer program at Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco. Atalanta is excited to get to know and work with volunteers individually, be a part of this awesome, supportive community, and help to grow HGP’s volunteer program!
In her free time, Atalanta enjoys baking and cooking, being by the ocean, and all arts & crafts.
Her pronouns are she/her.
Evan Jones, Programs Manager
Evan's passion for social work is deeply rooted in outreach and community engagement to help foster creative growth and social change. He completed his MSW at the University of Tennessee. Evan has previously focused on refugee resettlement and trauma-informed care while in Nashville and organized youth outreach programs in Chicago. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana and Uganda, he focused on community health initiatives and youth development. Evan is dedicated to a strengths-based perspective and fostering resilience in others.
Donald J. Lessard,
Weekend Farm Steward
Born in 1950 in Bloomfield, Connecticut on the highest milk producing Holstein farm in the US. Gardened professionally and worked at a riding stable for 10 years. Became a Connecticut Master Gardener in 1975. Processed and marketed milk and ice cream for 30 years at Maple Hill Farms. Retired and moved to Santa Cruz and began working with The Homeless Garden Project.
Mary Reyes,
Business & Finance Manager
Mary Reyes is a local Santa Cruzan since 1964 and has over forty years of bookkeeping and account experience. Mary enjoys working for and with local business. She is very grateful for her family choosing Santa Cruz to retire from military life, and is very happy to be a part of The Homeless Garden Project team and family. She is looking forward to giving back to the community that is her home.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 15
Francis Krebs,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Francis Krebs MSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Instructor at San Jose State University and is the Faculty Field Instructor for students from our University partners who are completing a field placement as part of their Masters in Social Work degree. Francis has worked in social services and mental health for over 35 years and recently retired from working for Santa Cruz County in Children’s Mental Health and Child Welfare. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Aptos.
[email protected]
Elizabeth Gummere,
Board President
Elizabeth Gummere is the CEO of two Santa Cruz-based companies: Artistic Reflections, a residential glass installer; and Repechage Group, an accounting and marketing consulting firm. She has provided accounting and finance expertise to entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area since 2001. Serving on 4 local non-profit Boards as Treasurer, her educational background includes a BS in Public Communications from Syracuse University and an MBA from Simmons College in Boston, MA. In her spare time, she enjoys ocean sculling in our beautiful Monterey Bay.
Richard Bruce,
Board Vice President
Richard Bruce is impressed by the success the Homeless Garden Project has had in teaching its trainees to be self-sufficient. He is enthusiastic about helping with the move to the permanent farm where the Project can grow and help more unsheltered members of our community. After graduating from UCSB with a PhD in physics, he spent most of his 35 years as a technologist and research manager at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Using his research work, he founded and led two technology start-ups. Retiring to Santa Cruz in 2010 has spent his time studying US history, reading literature, creating metal sculpture, and playing pickleball. He loves family gatherings with his wife, 3 children and grandchildren.
Lorraine Bayer,
Board Treasurer
Lorraine Bayer has worked in public, governmental and non-profit accounting and auditing in Santa Cruz County for 20 years. Working and volunteering with local non-profit organizations has given her an appreciation for helping people and creating a strong sense of community. She has been connected to the Homeless Garden Project through family who served early in the project’s inception and is honored to be serving on the Board, especially during this exciting time as the farm builds a new home in Pogonip.
Suzanne Maclean,
Board Secretary
Suzanne has been involved with the Homeless Garden project since 2016 when she started helping to organize the Sustain Supper series. She also has provided program management expertise for our transition from Natural Bridges to Pogonip Farm.
Suzanne worked for 35 years in senior management positions for several technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Suzanne has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976 and has been on the Board or Supervisory Committee of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union since 1977. primarily in the field of Customer Service and Program Management.
Enda Brennan,
Board Member
Enda immigrated at the age of two from Ireland to California in 1957. After attending UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, he has practiced law in California for 40 years. He worked as a public defender in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz County before entering private criminal defense practice 28 years ago. He has served on numerous local boards including Past Chair and current treasurer of Grey Bears.
Candice Elliott,
Board Member
Candice Elliott has over 15 years of experience in organizational development in private and public sectors. She is the owner and principal consultant at Fortress and Flourish specializing in helping small businesses and non-profits with human resource management. She is drawn to the Homeless Garden Project because of the organization's dedication to helping people find meaning through work while building community. She is currently a member of the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board and has dedicated time to various community projects including Co-Chairing the Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness. She holds a Master's degree from Pennsylvania State University in Human Resources and Labor Relations with an emphasis in Training and Development, and is a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Michael Laffoon,
Board Member
Michael has lived in Santa Cruz County since 1979, and has seen the homeless crisis evolve -- from both sides of the fence. After many years of being a moderately successful business owner, he found himself homeless after a series of financial setbacks and a descent into serious drug addiction. About 12 years ago he decided that he had to make a change, and the Homeless Garden Project was his open door back into being a functional and successful member of society. The support, employment, and structure of the Homeless Garden Project gave him the opportunity to rebuild his life, and at present he is a self-employed gardener and landscaper who is loving life. The Homeless Garden Project embodies so many values that he cherishes -- community, dignity, social justice, right livelihood, and genuine caring.
Paul Lee,
Board Member
Paul came to Santa Cruz in l966 to teach at UCSC where he started the Chadwick Garden in l967. He entered the homeless effort with Page Smith in 1985 when they opened the first shelter in Santa Cruz, and started the Homeless Garden Project in l989 with the donation of a large number of plants. Phil is now retired and mostly tired. He gets up late, and enjoys his life now that his backyard is park like. His next act will be to put up a sign in front of his house: Park Here.
Mark Lipson,
Board Member
Mark Lipson is a 30-year pioneer and influential leader in the organic farming and food community in California and nationally. Mark recently completed a 4 ½ -year term of service as the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Policy Advisor in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Mark graduated with honors from U.C. Santa Cruz in 1981 with a B.A. in environmental studies. Since 1983 he has been a member of the Molino Creek Farming Collective, a cooperative multi-family organic farming community near Davenport, California and the original home of the famed, dry-farmed tomatoes. Since completing his service at USDA, Mark has been appointed as a Research Associate for Organic Agriculture Policy Studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz, affiliated with the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.
Suna Lock,
Board Member
Suna has lived in Santa Cruz since 2003 when she relocated from London. She has had her own design practice for 24 years and opened Stripe, a retail store in Downtown Santa Cruz in 2009. Suna is interested in helping to develop and elevate the Homeless Garden Project's retail presence and celebrate its connection to the farm itself.
Mark Primack,
Board Member
Mark Primack has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976. He is a practicing architect whose civic volunteerism is centered on encouraging and preserving community diversity and resilience.
Dannettee Shoemaker,
Board Member
Dannettee has lived in Santa Cruz for almost 60 years. She worked for the City of Santa Cruz for 40+ years before retiring as Director of Parks and Recreation 2016. In addition to managing a large City Department, she worked with non-profits, local businesses and community organizations including the HGP. Dannettee’s primary interest in joining the Homeless Garden Board is assisting with the farms move to Pogonip and expanding the job training program. In her spare time, Dannettee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking, gardening and traveling.
Ron Slack,
Board Member
Ron is deeply devoted to supporting local efforts to build a strong, equitable community. He has served on the board of many local organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank, Santa Cruz Chamber, Tannery Arts Center, Life Lab, and continues his board work at FoodWhat, Workforce Investment Board and Housing Matters. In addition, he was the Publisher at Good Times for thirteen years. Ron doesn’t shy away from adventure, having spent nine and a half months hitch-hiking through fourteen countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and an additional two months travelling through parts of Africa.
Kathleen Hughes,
Board Member
Paul Lee,
Co-Founder
Paul Lee is a philosopher, philanthropist, homeless advocate. He studied philosophy at St. Olaf College and received his divinity degree and PhD from Harvard. He taught at Harvard, MIT, and UC Santa Cruz, where he founded the first organic garden on a university with Alan Chadwick in 1967. In 1976 alongside Paige Smith, he began the California Conservation Corps under Jerry Brown's administration. Paul organized and proposed the Greenbelt Initiative to save the Pogonip in 1978. In 1985 he founded the organization that became Santa Cruz's Homeless Services Center and the Homeless Garden Project. He is also an author; his books include: There is a Garden in the Mind, The Quality of Mercy, Florence the Goose, and a play, A Lullaby for Wittgenstein.
Lynne Basehore Cooper,
Co-Founder
Lynne is the Founding Director of the Homeless Garden Project. Her motivating vision was to provide homeless citizens sanctuary, healing and jobs by growing a productive and beautiful garden within the community. Lynne pioneered the social service enterprise model that continues to thrive at the Project today. Lynne’s experience includes Management, Communications, Interpersonal Relations, Administration & Holistic Health. Lynne has a degree in Art from UCSC. From Lynne’s original Mission Statement for the Homeless Garden Project, “The garden is a context where an exchange can happen: homeless folks “producing” healthy organic food for sale and contributing to the community, and the community supporting, volunteering and keeping viable the opportunities for others.”
Darrie Ganzhorn,
Executive Director
Darrie has worked with Homeless Garden Project since 1991 and has led the Project since 2008. Under Darrie’s leadership, the Project has developed the transitional employment program and its goals, grown revenue four-fold, and has successfully completed a 3.5 million capital campaign. Darrie has primary responsibility for vision and planning, fundraising, program direction, financial management, public relations and staff support of the Project's Board of Directors.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 12
Paul Goldberg,
Director of Development
Paul has been a nonprofit fundraiser since 2003, working for a variety of organizations dedicated to the social good, including the Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn, NY and the Rockwood Leadership Institute in Berkeley, CA. Living in the Santa Cruz Mountains since 2010, Paul is a deeply committed social justice advocate and environmentalist, as well as an avid fan of live music. He is extremely excited to be a part of the team at The Homeless Garden Project.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 13
Claude Rosen,
Director of Operations
Claude brings a decade of experience in operations and finance roles in the nonprofit sector, including work with organizations in the sustainable food, workforce development, and homelessness sectors. Claude most recently was with the Nonprofit Finance Fund, where he supported nonprofits experiencing growth in both capital project and business planning.
[email protected]
(607) 316-2885
Angie Smith,
Value-Added Enterprise & Retail Manager
Angie came to the Project as a volunteer bringing her love of cooking for others and sharing great meals. She volunteered at the farm cooking lunch twice weekly for trainees, volunteers and staff. From there, she volunteered on the Holiday Store Committee sharing her expertise in retail, marketing and products. In Jan 2014, Angie was hired to manage the retail store, online store and product expansion. She is committed to using the store as an avenue for community outreach and increased revenue to support current operations and future growth.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 11
Now Hiring: Development Associate
Atalanta Kyriazi, Volunteer Manager
Atalanta joins the Homeless Garden Project with several years of community engagement experience. She has most recently managed the volunteer program at Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco. Atalanta is excited to get to know and work with volunteers individually, be a part of this awesome, supportive community, and help to grow HGP’s volunteer program!
In her free time, Atalanta enjoys baking and cooking, being by the ocean, and all arts & crafts.
Her pronouns are she/her.
Evan Jones, Programs Manager
Evan's passion for social work is deeply rooted in outreach and community engagement to help foster creative growth and social change. He completed his MSW at the University of Tennessee. Evan has previously focused on refugee resettlement and trauma-informed care while in Nashville and organized youth outreach programs in Chicago. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana and Uganda, he focused on community health initiatives and youth development. Evan is dedicated to a strengths-based perspective and fostering resilience in others.
Donald J. Lessard,
Weekend Farm Steward
Born in 1950 in Bloomfield, Connecticut on the highest milk producing Holstein farm in the US. Gardened professionally and worked at a riding stable for 10 years. Became a Connecticut Master Gardener in 1975. Processed and marketed milk and ice cream for 30 years at Maple Hill Farms. Retired and moved to Santa Cruz and began working with The Homeless Garden Project.
Mary Reyes,
Business & Finance Manager
Mary Reyes is a local Santa Cruzan since 1964 and has over forty years of bookkeeping and account experience. Mary enjoys working for and with local business. She is very grateful for her family choosing Santa Cruz to retire from military life, and is very happy to be a part of The Homeless Garden Project team and family. She is looking forward to giving back to the community that is her home.
[email protected]
(831) 426-3609, ext 15
Francis Krebs,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Francis Krebs MSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Instructor at San Jose State University and is the Faculty Field Instructor for students from our University partners who are completing a field placement as part of their Masters in Social Work degree. Francis has worked in social services and mental health for over 35 years and recently retired from working for Santa Cruz County in Children’s Mental Health and Child Welfare. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Aptos.
[email protected]
Elizabeth Gummere,
Board President
Elizabeth Gummere is the CEO of two Santa Cruz-based companies: Artistic Reflections, a residential glass installer; and Repechage Group, an accounting and marketing consulting firm. She has provided accounting and finance expertise to entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area since 2001. Serving on 4 local non-profit Boards as Treasurer, her educational background includes a BS in Public Communications from Syracuse University and an MBA from Simmons College in Boston, MA. In her spare time, she enjoys ocean sculling in our beautiful Monterey Bay.
Richard Bruce,
Board Vice President
Richard Bruce is impressed by the success the Homeless Garden Project has had in teaching its trainees to be self-sufficient. He is enthusiastic about helping with the move to the permanent farm where the Project can grow and help more unsheltered members of our community. After graduating from UCSB with a PhD in physics, he spent most of his 35 years as a technologist and research manager at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Using his research work, he founded and led two technology start-ups. Retiring to Santa Cruz in 2010 has spent his time studying US history, reading literature, creating metal sculpture, and playing pickleball. He loves family gatherings with his wife, 3 children and grandchildren.
Lorraine Bayer,
Board Treasurer
Lorraine Bayer has worked in public, governmental and non-profit accounting and auditing in Santa Cruz County for 20 years. Working and volunteering with local non-profit organizations has given her an appreciation for helping people and creating a strong sense of community. She has been connected to the Homeless Garden Project through family who served early in the project’s inception and is honored to be serving on the Board, especially during this exciting time as the farm builds a new home in Pogonip.
Suzanne Maclean,
Board Secretary
Suzanne has been involved with the Homeless Garden project since 2016 when she started helping to organize the Sustain Supper series. She also has provided program management expertise for our transition from Natural Bridges to Pogonip Farm.
Suzanne worked for 35 years in senior management positions for several technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Suzanne has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976 and has been on the Board or Supervisory Committee of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union since 1977. primarily in the field of Customer Service and Program Management.
Enda Brennan,
Board Member
Enda immigrated at the age of two from Ireland to California in 1957. After attending UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, he has practiced law in California for 40 years. He worked as a public defender in Los Angeles and Santa Cruz County before entering private criminal defense practice 28 years ago. He has served on numerous local boards including Past Chair and current treasurer of Grey Bears.
Candice Elliott,
Board Member
Candice Elliott has over 15 years of experience in organizational development in private and public sectors. She is the owner and principal consultant at Fortress and Flourish specializing in helping small businesses and non-profits with human resource management. She is drawn to the Homeless Garden Project because of the organization's dedication to helping people find meaning through work while building community. She is currently a member of the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board and has dedicated time to various community projects including Co-Chairing the Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness. She holds a Master's degree from Pennsylvania State University in Human Resources and Labor Relations with an emphasis in Training and Development, and is a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Michael Laffoon,
Board Member
Michael has lived in Santa Cruz County since 1979, and has seen the homeless crisis evolve -- from both sides of the fence. After many years of being a moderately successful business owner, he found himself homeless after a series of financial setbacks and a descent into serious drug addiction. About 12 years ago he decided that he had to make a change, and the Homeless Garden Project was his open door back into being a functional and successful member of society. The support, employment, and structure of the Homeless Garden Project gave him the opportunity to rebuild his life, and at present he is a self-employed gardener and landscaper who is loving life. The Homeless Garden Project embodies so many values that he cherishes -- community, dignity, social justice, right livelihood, and genuine caring.
Paul Lee,
Board Member
Paul came to Santa Cruz in l966 to teach at UCSC where he started the Chadwick Garden in l967. He entered the homeless effort with Page Smith in 1985 when they opened the first shelter in Santa Cruz, and started the Homeless Garden Project in l989 with the donation of a large number of plants. Phil is now retired and mostly tired. He gets up late, and enjoys his life now that his backyard is park like. His next act will be to put up a sign in front of his house: Park Here.
Mark Lipson,
Board Member
Mark Lipson is a 30-year pioneer and influential leader in the organic farming and food community in California and nationally. Mark recently completed a 4 ½ -year term of service as the Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Policy Advisor in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Mark graduated with honors from U.C. Santa Cruz in 1981 with a B.A. in environmental studies. Since 1983 he has been a member of the Molino Creek Farming Collective, a cooperative multi-family organic farming community near Davenport, California and the original home of the famed, dry-farmed tomatoes. Since completing his service at USDA, Mark has been appointed as a Research Associate for Organic Agriculture Policy Studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz, affiliated with the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.
Suna Lock,
Board Member
Suna has lived in Santa Cruz since 2003 when she relocated from London. She has had her own design practice for 24 years and opened Stripe, a retail store in Downtown Santa Cruz in 2009. Suna is interested in helping to develop and elevate the Homeless Garden Project's retail presence and celebrate its connection to the farm itself.
Mark Primack,
Board Member
Mark Primack has lived in Santa Cruz since 1976. He is a practicing architect whose civic volunteerism is centered on encouraging and preserving community diversity and resilience.
Dannettee Shoemaker,
Board Member
Dannettee has lived in Santa Cruz for almost 60 years. She worked for the City of Santa Cruz for 40+ years before retiring as Director of Parks and Recreation 2016. In addition to managing a large City Department, she worked with non-profits, local businesses and community organizations including the HGP. Dannettee’s primary interest in joining the Homeless Garden Board is assisting with the farms move to Pogonip and expanding the job training program. In her spare time, Dannettee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking, gardening and traveling.
Ron Slack,
Board Member
Ron is deeply devoted to supporting local efforts to build a strong, equitable community. He has served on the board of many local organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank, Santa Cruz Chamber, Tannery Arts Center, Life Lab, and continues his board work at FoodWhat, Workforce Investment Board and Housing Matters. In addition, he was the Publisher at Good Times for thirteen years. Ron doesn’t shy away from adventure, having spent nine and a half months hitch-hiking through fourteen countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and an additional two months travelling through parts of Africa.
Kathleen Hughes,
Board Member
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COVID-19 Updates
Homeless Garden Project is responding to the COVID-19 crisis by continuing our essential work of providing our transitional employment and support services programs to people experiencing homelessness and farming in order to provide healthy, organic food for the community.