WillBridge of Santa Barbara Inc.

• Gale Franco-Trowbridge (Co-Founder)
•     Gale, a native of Santa Barbara, has committed herself to a life of service to the Santa Barbara Community and to human needs. A graduate of Santa Barbara Business College and Santa Barbara City College, Gale has received numerous awards for Dedicated Service, Outstanding Service, Uncommon Dedication and a Humanitarian award.
      Gale recognized that she had the gift of compassion and giving at a very young age and always found that she eagerly responded to a cry for help. She began working at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church as an Administrative Assistant. Gale attempted to take an early retirement, but she found herself called back to working with the homeless. In September of 2002, Gale became the Administrative Assistant at the Salvation Army Hospitality House. Once again, Gale's job responsibilities went beyond the desk, statistics, and a computer. Gale immersed herself in learning about homeless services and agency providers. Without hesitation, she began working directly with the clients. She readily took over the Mobile Meal Program and has become a friendly face and trusted person among the homeless living on the street. Gale is exceptionally skilled and has 23 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant, but more importantly throughout her working career she has continued to answer her call to work with people in need.


• J. Lynnelle Williams (Co-Founder)
•     Lynnelle is a native of the Island of Bermuda. Lynnelle lived her formative years in New York City and her young adult life in California. Lynnelle earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA). The National Association of Social Workers, Santa Barbara Unit, has recognized Lynnelle. She has also received numerous outstanding service awards including Santa Barbara Citizen for the Year 1999 and a certificate of recognition for being a panelist for the Leadership of Santa Barbara County.
      Lynnelle has worked closely with people who are homeless since 1986. Her experience includes 8 years as Director of the Salvation Army Hospitality House in Santa Barbara, 8 years as House Manager and Assistant Director of Social Services at the Salvation Army U.N. Women's Shelter in NYC, 1 year as Case manager with East 3rd Street Family Shelter in NYC and 3 years with Child Welfare administration (sex abuse unit), in NYC.
      Lynnelle has ventured into many areas of social services throughout her work career, but was repeatedly drawn to working with the homeless. It became very evident that working with the homeless was not just a career experience, but also a calling. There is no mistaking that each career created a field of exposure and on-the-job training for all ages, genders and circumstances. Each job experience has strengthened her ability to establish a trusting relationship that encourages individuals to make positive changes in their lives.


•     Gale and Lynnelle see opening WillBridge of Santa Barbara, Inc. as an opportunity to utilize all their skills, resources and combined career experiences to assist and encourage homeless individuals to obtain a positive and productive future.

• Dana Gamble LCSW (Chair of the board)
•     Dana is the Program Administrator of the Santa Barbara County's Department of Public Health, Health Care for the Homeless Program. Following graduation from California Lutheran University in 1990, Dana served in the Lutheran Volunteer Corps at a homeless shelter in Wilmington, Delaware. This experience began for Dana, a career in the Social Services Field. In 1996 Dana graduated from the University of Southern California, School of social work with a Masters Degree in Social Work.
      Dana and his wife Carolyn are the proud parents of a son. Dana has served as the Chair of the Board for WillBridge of Santa Barbara since 2003.


• Bernelle Williams (Board Chair)
•    Bernelle is a native of Bermuda graduated from Ontario Business College, Belleville, Canada with Certification in Business Administration, and Commercial Education. Also, graduated from the Creative School of Photography, Toronto, Canada. Moved to the United States in 1957, lived in New York City for 14 years, where she was Director of Community Center for the Salvation Army, also worked at The New Your Foundling Hospital an Adoption Agency where she served as Liaison between Agency and out of state departments, where children were to be placed. Eventually relocating to California with her family.
  While attending Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, Bernelle worked as assistant to the Financial Aid Officer as well as Advisor to the Black Student Union. Bernelle later transferred to UCSB where she served as Financial Aid Need Analyst. Later, Bernelle went to work for The Salvation Army and served as Youth Director of the Community Center.
     During the past twelve (12) years, Bernelle has worked as a Property Manager and currently holds that position. Bernelle lives in Goleta California with her husband Quinton "Rusty" Williams.


• Sandy Lipowski (Board Treasurer),
•    Sandy was born in Buffalo, New York on December 30, 1960, I am the youngest of five girls. My parents were full-blood Polish decent and 3rd generation U.S. born. I grew up in West Seneca, New York, a Buffalo suburb, attended private school at the Campus School; I received my high school diploma from West Seneca East High and my 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the State University of Buffalo. In August of 1985, I moved with a friend to Yucca Valley, California where I got my first job as a sales person in radio. In 1988, I was recruited to Santa Maria where I worked as General Sales Manager for an AM/FM combo. Within one year, I moved to Santa Barbara working again as General Sales Manager for KSBL (K-LITE.) I was then hired and ran a group of stations, also in Santa Barbara including KTYD and 990 AM. In 1995, I was hired as General Manager of KRUZ 103.3 and grew into managing three stations after my company purchased them. I was one of a very few females in the General Manager position and consistently led the Santa Barbara market in market share. I purchased a home in 1995 and have enjoyed the rewards of home ownership so much that I went into Real Estate in October of 2002. I currently work for Pitts & Bachmann Realtors and I am a Top Producing agent who loves her job. My favorite things to do around town are ride my bike, walk my dog, and go out with my friends enjoying all of the Santa Barbara restaurants.

• Joy A Rybak, (Board Secretary), 
•    Joy attended the University of Central Missouri and received her AA in Business Administration. Since that period of time she has attended a formal education program to become a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN.)
  Joy has served two years as a trustee on the financial board of New Covenant Worship Center where her responsibilities included participation in budget creation, advisory capacity on mission's ministry and fiscal responsibilities. As part of JoyÕs everyday responsibilities, Joy hosts foreign exchange students and advises the students in "western": culture along with establishing Judeo Christian ethics for her household.
  Joy and her husband, Frank, teach weekly biblical financial principles at NCWC. Joy and Frank have traveled extensively to many countries outside the United States and they have raised two children and aware the proud grandparents of 6.
  JoyÕs greatest accomplishment in life was in 1983 when at the age of 37, she invited Jesus to be Lord over her life.
   

• Mavis Thibodeaux (Board Member)
•    Mavis was born in Arkansas and relocated to San Bernardino, California at the age of 5. Mavis graduated from San Bernardino High School and Santa Barbara City College with an A.A. degree in Liberal Arts and is currently a student at Antioch University of Santa Barbara majoring in Psychology. Mavis has worked as a Flight Attendant for Trans World Airlines an Administrative Assistant for World Bank (Asian Affairs) in Washington, D.C., the United Nations in New York City and Work Inc., of Santa Barbara. Through various temporary job assignments Mavis held positions as a Medical Transcriber and Legal Secretary. In her leisure time Mavis enjoys sewing listening to all types of music, antique shopping and traveling. Mavis has a heart for community service and has served on the Advisory Board for Santa Barbara Community Housing Corp. Mavis has volunteered her services to Girls Incorporated, CALM, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, The Homeless Coalition and currently serves on the Board of Directors of WillBridge of Santa Barbara, Inc.
      In a recent interview, Ms. Thibodaux said: "Without WillBridge of Santa Barbara I could have lost so much more, they pulled me through with their professionalism, warmth, caring and resources. I am so grateful to them for their continuing care. I am in school again, volunteering and functioning at a top level due to them."


• Bessie Murphy (Board Member)
•   Bessie was born and raised in Courtland Virginia, attended grade and high school there. She completed high school in Santa Barbara, CA. also attended Santa Barbara Business College, and after completing the course. She worked for the County of Santa Barbara a Judicial Assistant from 1977 until 2002. and now happily retired.

Top of Page