Britt Bassoni
Britt is the Director of Special Projects at Seniors Council of Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties. He has worked as an Aging Planner and National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) Coordinator at an Area Agency on Aging in Kentucky, and also as a State Program Administrator - Principal for the Minnesota Department of Human Services managing home and community services development grants and grant-funded programs to support community-based care alternatives to institutionalization. Britt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Grinnell College, conferred when kerosene lamps were considered state of the art task lighting. He grew up in Ben Lomond, and lives there now with his wife, Allie, his 4 ½ year old, Lila, and the family Labrador Keeper (she retrieves it, but doesn’t bring it back), Maya.
Cathy Colvard
Cathy has worked for many years in the Business world, both non-profit as well as for-profit. She held positions in all spectrums, she is currently the Fiscal Officer for the Seniors Council. She is a proud member of the University of Missouri College of Business…..Go Tigers! On her time off she spends time with her kids and grandkids having fun at home and outdoors, especially the beach and traveling.
Chris Greenwood
Chris Greenwood has been the Santa Cruz County Coordinator for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs since October, 1999. Clearly, she loves the job! It’s hard for Chris to pinpoint her favorite part of working with these Programs, because all of it is so rewarding – recruiting new volunteers and learning about their lives; finding just the right classrooms and teachers for Foster Grandparents and seeing those relationships thrive; hearing how students love and appreciate their “Grandmas” and “Grandpas”; and watching Senior Companions change the lives of their clients through connection, caring, and assistance with the everyday tasks. Chris says, “These Programs are a win/win for everyone! I am so lucky to be able to help change so many people’s lives.”
Clay Kempf
Clay is the Executive Director of the Seniors Council, starting on February 29th, 2000. He’s been here 5 leap years, or 3 years in Golden Retriever time. He’s proud of and inspired by the skills, work and ingenuity of everyone in the agency, including our staff & volunteers, our Board of Directors and Advisory Council members, and our contracted service providers. His current work focuses on the local and state implementation of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging. In his free time, Clay enjoys wildlife photography, with an emphasis on birds and marine mammals.
Corey Shaffer
Corey Shaffer is our dedicated and enthusiastic Community Coordinator that is passionate about fostering connections and building a vibrant community. Corey thrives on engaging with community members and being actively involved in community events and activities.
In her spare time, Corey enjoys riding her bicycle, exploring new trails, and embracing the great outdoors. She also cherishes spending quality time with her family, creating lasting memories and enjoying life's simple pleasures.
Cristina Bañuelos
Coming Soon!
Eduardo Santana
Eduardo Santana has lived in beautiful Santa Cruz County ever since graduating from UCSC with a Major in Business Economics and a minor Latin American Studies. He has lived in 4 countries, loves to travel, and when he’s not doing taxes you can find him far, far away from the office and off his phone. Ed loves that every day that he comes to work he makes a difference. It is his goal and purpose as Project SCOUT’s program director to continue and grow the services we provide for so many in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties.
Hilary Minugh
Hilary joined the Seniors Council Fiscal Department in May, 2016. She appreciates the challenge of balancing Federal and State Grants for all of the programs that Seniors Council administers. As a resident of Santa Cruz County since 1988, she enjoys living and working close to the beach. She also enjoys any kind of puzzle, word game or mystery.
Jacob Castillo
Coming Soon!
Leanne Oliveira
As the Program Coordinator for the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at the Senior Center in San Benito County, Leanne facilitates care and support services and referrals to elderly clientele and people (of any age) with a disability. On behalf of the ADRC, she writes a monthly column for seniors in The Mission Village Voice newspaper entitled #TheGoldenAge. In her free time, she is a Reference Librarian and Historian who loves chocolate and enjoys kayaking and camping with her dog.
Lydia Ramirez
Lydia Ramirez has been the Santa Clara County Coordinator for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs since 2009. Lydia has stated. “In my 3rd chapter in life I’m all about volunteers and diversity. Some of the stories the teachers share with me about the impact a tutor has made with their students, or a supervisor who tells me how a companion made a difference in the life of a client—amazes me about who these giving, and dedicated individuals are. We have a varied group of people some who can offer other spoken languages and cultural insights, all who are patient, and empathetic. My joy is to see that bond develop between child and volunteer, or adult peer companionship turning into friendship between volunteer and client. It’s a gift to see a child or adult smile with accomplishment and trust. Their success is everyone’s success!"
Maureen Hebert
Maureen joined Seniors Council in March of 2014 as a temporary part time employee to help out while the fiscal department was short staffed and eventually became a full- time employee. She mainly handles payables and assists with the Companion for Life and the Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Programs. Maureen enjoys camping, hiking, gardening and reading in her spare time away from the office.
Monica Alvarez
Monica Alvarez is a graduate of CSU, Sacramento with a Major in Spanish and a minor in Communications. She is a Program Coordinator for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program for the Seniors Council and is enjoying being part of such a hard-working team. Monica covers the Monterey County, San Benito County and parts of Watsonville. Placing our senior volunteers in the classroom and with other seniors as a companion is a new passion for Monica. She hopes to spread education, kindness, compassion and an excellent work ethic to all future and current partnerships and relationships with our volunteers.
Patty Talbott
Patty received her B.A. in Community Studies from UCSC and has spent her career working in healthcare and senior programs, but the majority of her work has been with the Area Agency on Aging. In her current role of AAA Administrator, Patty is responsible for planning, contracts, data and oversight of AAA contracted services. When she’s not at work, she’s pursuing her passions for the outdoors, live music and her new role of grandparent.
Zachary Johnson
Zach has seen many parts of California but Santa Cruz will always be home to him. Zach serves as Administrative Services Officer, coordinating in-office staff functions, community outreach, social media development, and more! Zach enjoys the outdoors and hopes to hike Skyline to the Sea again someday soon.
