Lifting People Up Since 1958

 About Us

Who We Are

The Turner Foundation’s mission is to create innovative programs and services to lift people up!

For over 67 years, the Turner Foundation has been dedicated to creating real change. From affordable housing and education programs to leadership development and family support, we believe that when people are empowered with resources, opportunities, and a sense of belonging, they can thrive and give back to their communities.

Our Five Key Communities

What began as a vision to serve seniors has grown to embrace the needs of many different groups in our community. Today, the Turner Foundation focuses on five key groups, creating programs that help with their specific challenges while believing in what they can achieve. Through this work, we strengthen our community—building a place where everyone has the opportunity to receive support and give back in meaningful ways.

  • The Turner Foundation's commitment to young people runs deep, offering comprehensive programs that nurture potential and create pathways to success. Our youth-focused initiatives include:

    Community Learning Centers (CLC): Operating with a personalized 1:6 staff-to-student ratio, our CLCs provide academic support, enrichment activities, and a supportive environment where students ages 6-18 can thrive. With 93% of students attending for 3+ years, we've created a community where young people feel they truly belong.

    Turner Foundation Music & Imagination (TFMI): Through free access to professional music studios, quality instruments, and expert instruction, we help young people discover their creative potential. Our philosophy of promoting Belonging, Empowerment, Achievement, and Thriving (B.E.A.T.) gives students the confidence to express themselves through music.

    Summer Camp: Our eight-week summer program provides enriching experiences, educational field trips, and creative activities that expand horizons and build lasting friendships.

    Foundation House Program: Providing stable housing and essential support services for transitional-aged youth (18-24) who are experiencing unstable living conditions or at risk of homelessness. Our houses create supportive communities where young adults can focus on education and employment while developing crucial life skills.

    Patty and Jon Wilson Scholarship Fund: Supporting first-generation college students in achieving their educational dreams through financial assistance and ongoing mentorship.

  • We believe strong families build strong communities. Our family-focused programs create stability and opportunity:

    The Village & The Lighthouse: Our two low-income apartment communities offer more than just affordable housing—they provide a foundation where families can grow and thrive together.

    Good Life TV: Inspiring programming that honors local heroes, shares encouraging stories, and empowers families with positive values and educational content.

    Food Bank Partnership: Collaborating to address food insecurity through cooking classes, nutrition education, and food distribution programs.

    Redemptive Real Estate: Transforming properties into opportunities for families to establish roots and build their futures in safe, supportive environments.

  • Every person deserves dignity, support, and the opportunity to reach their potential. Our special needs programs include:

    Doman International Scholarships and Clinics: Through our partnership with Doman International®, we provide scholarships and host bi-annual clinics in Santa Barbara, ensuring families can access transformative care for children with special needs.

    TOGETHER...with Special Needs Families: This heartfelt program honors and supports families with special needs members through personalized outreach and care.

    Boxes of Love: Thoughtfully crafted gift boxes designed to bring joy to every family member, filled with personalized items, experiences, and tokens of support that say "you matter."

  • Since our founding 65 years ago by Rev. Albert Turner, caring for seniors has been at the heart of our mission:

    Low-Income Senior Housing: Continuing our original vision, we provide affordable housing options where seniors can age with dignity and remain connected to community.

    Supportive Services: Our programs for seniors go beyond housing to include community engagement, wellness initiatives, and intergenerational activities that combat isolation and promote vibrant aging.

    Legacy of Care: From the original Rose Garden Village in Riverside to our current communities, our commitment to seniors remains unwavering—creating spaces where older adults are valued, respected, and supported.

  • Economic challenges shouldn't limit human potential. Our comprehensive approach to supporting low-income individuals includes:

    Affordable Housing: Through The Village and The Lighthouse apartment communities, we provide stable, quality housing that serves as a foundation for growth and opportunity.

    Wraparound Support Services: Our Community Learning Centers, music programs, employment assistance, and educational initiatives work together to address barriers and create pathways to self-sufficiency.

    Holistic Community Development: We believe in lifting people up by addressing immediate needs while building long-term capacity through education, mentorship, and skill development.

    Resource Navigation: Connecting community members with vital services and opportunities through our network of 130+ community partners.

    Since 1958, the Turner Foundation has remained committed to our vision of Hopeful Housing—creating communities where everyone can find shelter, support, and the opportunity to thrive.

Meet the Team

  • Dean Wilson

    PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Donnie Feller

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

  • Mavel Tortoledo

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

  • Patty Turner Wilson

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

  • Brenda Rodriguez

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & EVENTS

    OPERATIONS MANAGER AT VALINOR

  • Madison Smoak

    ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

  • David Rojas

    DIRECTOR OF MUSIC PROGRAMS

  • John Guna

    ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

  • Jasmine Salinas

    OFFICE MANAGER

  • Abby Lindros

    TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR

  • Carrie Faulkner

    TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH HOUSING NAVIGATOR

  • Matt Hempy

    COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR

  • Justin Hoops

    AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM COORDINATOR

  • Skyler Pavlovich

    EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

  • Sarah Dildine

    BOOKKEEPER

  • Raychell Benecke

    PROGRAM LEADER

  • Selena Diaz

    PROGRAM LEADER

  • Tam Razon

    PROGRAM LEADER

  • Sofia Schakel

    TFMI PROGRAM ASSISTANT

  • Claire Albrecht

    RESIDENT ASSISTANT AT THE THRIVE HOUSE

  • Estevan Arias

    RESIDENT ASSISTANT AT THE DUNAMIS HOUSE

  • Anna Catherine Reed

    RESIDENT ASSISTANT AT THE MISSION HOUSE

  • Esteban Vega

    ON-SITE MANAGER FOR THE VILLAGE

  • Felix Betancourt

    ON-SITE MANAGER FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE

  • Christian Jose Cardenas

    ASSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER

  • Bryan Peck

    EXECUTIVE INTERN

  • Serena Nohmeh

    EVENTS & OPERATIONS INTERN

  • Aleen Ung

    COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

  • Katie Serafin

    OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT INTERN

  • Madison Morehead

    OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT INTERN

  • Theo Golz

    Program Intern

A Legacy of Hope

Since 1958

When Reverend Dr. Albert J. Turner stood on an empty 10-acre plot in Riverside, California, he saw more than vacant land—he envisioned a community where seniors could live with dignity, purpose, and joy. This vision became Rose Garden Village, a revolutionary concept that caught the attention of presidents and transformed countless lives.

For 65 years, the Turner Foundation has expanded this pioneering spirit of "Hopeful Housing" from serving seniors to uplifting youth, families, individuals with special needs, and low-income communities. What began as one man's dream has evolved into a movement and today, we honor our roots while continuously innovating new ways to serve. From our Foundation Houses for transitional-aged youth to our music programs that awaken creativity, we remain committed to Reverend Turner's simple yet profound mission: "Any way that I can serve the people, I want to do it."

Get Involved

Every home, every scholarship, every program exists because of people like you. When you give, you lift people up.

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