FOUNDER

Evelynn Smith 

The founding angel of Project-Angels Bearing Gifts, Evelynn Smith, is the parent of a developmentally disabled adult. She is employed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in Santa Barbara, California. Evelynn has helped many parents of children with disabilities and many adults with the grieving process and accepting the diagnosis. Evelynn is a past board member of New Directions, which sponsors travel experiences for individuals who are developmentally challenged.  She is also an honorary member of the California Advisory Board of Devereux in Santa Barbara, an agency that operates residential facilities across the country for children and adults who are developmentally challenged.  She is a past board member of Cornerstone House, an agency which sponsors homes and summer camps for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Board Members:

Linda Cowen   

 Linda has a Bachelor's of Social Science  degree from University of Cape Town, South Africa and a M.A. Special Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado. I have been teaching special education students for 26 years and currently am the Resource Teacher at Santa Barbara Charter School. I have 2 daughters, one of whom is autistic and lives in her own home with supported living.

Julie Sorenson 

Julie Sorenson has lived in Santa Barbara for 13 years.  Julie was raised up the coast in San Luis Obispo and graduated from Cal Poly.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Development/Family Studies with a minor in Psychology.  Her work experience began with direct care and management in group homes.  Prior to her work with sbparent.com, she worked at Devereux for ten years, working primarily as a medical case manager.  For the past three years, she has worked with sbparent.com doing Marketing/Sales.   She has also done event planning for the Mother's Day 5K/10K event.  She is married with two daughters.

Linda Grand 

Linda Grand, a native of California, graduated from Cal State Northridge with an Elementary Teaching Credential in 1980. She is currently a school librarian at Adams School. She enjoys hiking in the beautiful canyons around town, making art, and building community. She has two daughters who are studying law and nursing.

Meredith Catalini

Meredith Catalini has a degree in Organizational Development.  Meredith joined the Angel's Bearing Gifts Board in 2006 and is currently supporting the Board and mission in the role of co-chair.  Meredith has a long history of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities through her work over the years with children, adults, day programs, residential services and more in the Southern California area.

Joe Boris

Joe Boris has lived in Santa Barbara for the past 6 years, relocating   from Charlotte, NC. He has a B.A. from the University of Maryland with a duel major in Political Science and Sociology and a M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. He served on the Fraser, Michigan, City Council for 14 years, eight of those years as Mayor. Joe retired from the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan where he was the Program Director for the Prevention Section of the Juvenile Division. Joe and his wife, Pat, retired to Santa Barbara to be near their son,  daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Mary Gibson

Mary Gibson  has a Bachelor's degree in Speech & Hearing, her Teaching Credential and Special Education Credential from UCSB.  After graduating, she stayed in Santa Barbara and has been a Teacher for the Santa Barbara County Education Office for the past 26 years.  Currently, she teaches a Special Day Class for students, grades 4-6, with special needs.  Mary is married and has a teenage son.