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Mission
Urban Works embraces art and recreation to break through faith, social and economic barriers, to create a more enriched, diverse and unified community for adults with disabilities.
History
Urban Works Santa Cruz comes from the creative foundation laid by Salty Sheep under the guidance of Ryan Althaus. Salty Sheep has served many types of groups of people, such as those recovering from addictions, the elderly, people with disabilities of all types, individuals in marginalized groups, people who are unhoused, and the general community as a whole. No one is excluded!
In Ryan's words: "What does it look like when people who don't normally interact with each other, get together for activities they share an interest in? In a word, it is.... magical!"
Vision of the Future
Urban Works Santa Cruz is the vessel for supportive opportunities that enable people with disabilities to actively participate and thrive in fun activities. This allows everyone to engage fully as an essential member of our community.
Our vision is that people with disabilities and their support networks receive the benefits of inclusive programs designed to overcome societal barriers and dispel stigma.
We strive to help open the hearts and minds of people through sharing enriching adventures!
Our Supporters
Meet our Team
Creative Director & Board Member
Captain Reverend Ryan Althaus
Ryan is the founder of Urban Works and the Captain of our 'Salty Sheep' sailboat alongside his trusty first mate, Rafiki the dog. His passion for uniting despondent populations continues to keep him engaged in the program through his role as the creative director and affiliate board member. Ryan is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the minister of interfaith relations for the Unitarian Universalist fellowship of Santa Cruz. He is also the author of several books and articles that can be found on his personal website at www.thesurfingmango.com.
Executive Director & Board Member
Katie Gentile
Katie brings expertise in project management, HR, direct care, and program design to the Board. Before joining Urban Works as Executive Director she spent several years managing direct support services and designing inclusive person-centered social programs for adults with developmental disabilities. She has formed long-lasting relationships with many local organizations through her career in the disability sector here in Santa Cruz and loves to collaborate with others. Her goal is to bring people together and ensure that everyone has access to engaging and meaningful experiences in our community.
Mindful Movement - Program Coordinator
Marcee Meinhardt
Marcee's brings a wide range of yoga practices and principles to our Mindful Movement programs - Marcee works with all of Urban Works' Mindful Movement instructors to ensure that classes are tailored to the needs of participants ensuring that all classes are adaptive and enjoyable for all who participate. Classes range from fun, active, and playful, - to tranquil, meditative, and slow paced. Marcee does a wonderful job organizing and managing all of Urban Works' Mindful Movement classes. If you have a question about joining a class or want to partner with Urban Works to bring classes to your organization, please reach out to yoga.marcee@gmail.com
Art Program Instructor
Rachel Corvese
Rachel teaches weekly art sessions in-person and online for Urban Works. In 2022 Rachel opened The Vision Sanctuary, a community art studio and gallery downtown Santa Cruz, where she hosts art classes and community events.
Mindful Movement - Musica do Circulo facilitator
Colin Connor
Colin T Connor trained at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music in Boston and has performed dance and music internationally. He leads Santa Cruz’s Música do Círculo practice group and is founder of CoCoWorks, a global consulting firm focused on communications, culture and branding.
Música do Círculo focuses on collaborative vocal improvisations (CVI) that support multi-part group singing, movement and social games. These improvs are in the spirit of circlesinging from Fernando Barba, Rhiannon’s Vocal River, and Bobby McFerrin. Different than your average song circle, this practice adds social components based in cooperation, play, and non-verbal communication. No musical experience is necessary. Having fun is highly likely.
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Mindful Movement - Yoga Instructor
Coko Brown
Bio coming soon
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Mindful Movement - Somatic Core + More!
Benny Drescher
Benny recently joined Urban Works' team leading our new adaptive program: Somatics & Core Explore - this class guides introspective movements from a mat, chair, &/or standing to explore the different ways our body supports itself in the world. Gentle, experiential, and at times a light workout!
His approach blends a diligent study of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization from the Prague School of Rehabilitation in combination with principles of weight training for pain recovery and tissue regeneration taught by Ben Patrick and Ben Clarfield of the Athletic Truth Group, among other philosophies. He places special emphasis on treating pain as a neuroplastic phenomenon interdependent with the context of our lives, and seeks to meet people exactly where they are.
In addition to Benny's adaptive class with Urban Works, he also offers services as a movement-based healer specializing in chronic pain. Benny is an avid surfer having lived through multiple life-altering sport and gym injuries and overcome chronic pain after 7 years, his passion to be of service is pointed and unwavering.
To learn more, check out his website at beyondPTSantaCruz.com
Mindful Movement - Yoga Instructor
Bianca Podolski
Bio coming soon
Art Program Founder
Theresa Nelson
Founder of the art program at Urban Works through her own organisation, Cultivated in Creativity Theresa was inspired to create this organization through years of interaction with the special needs community.
Cultivated in Creativity is dedicated to cultivating a community immersed in creativity, as the name implies! We build upon the notion that by focusing on our common passions, in this case creativity, we transcend differences and build a stronger community.
Meet our Board
Say hello to the faces behind Urban Works Santa Cruz!
Creative Director & Board Member
Captain Reverend Ryan Althaus
Ryan is the founder of Urban Works and the Captain of our 'Salty Sheep' sailboat alongside his trusty first mate, Rafiki the dog. His passion for uniting despondent populations continues to keep him engaged in the program through his role as the creative director and affiliate board member. Ryan is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the minister of interfaith relations for the Unitarian Universalist fellowship of Santa Cruz. He is also the author of several books and articles that can be found on his personal website at www.thesurfingmango.com.
Executive Director & Board Member
Katie Gentile
Katie brings expertise in project management, HR, direct care, and program design to the Board. Before joining Urban Works as Executive Director she has spent several years managing a respite agency and designing inclusive social programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Her goal is to ensure that everyone has access to engaging and meaningful experiences in our community.
Board Chair
David Heacock
Dave Heacock has more than 30 years of experience in the semiconductor field, managing start-ups to multi-billion dollar business with Texas Instruments. Passionate about people and community, Dave was active in getting a group together to found Urban Works Santa Cruz in 2022. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Clarkson University as well as Urban Works Board of Directors.
Board Member, Assistant Secretary
Patricia Schroeck
Patricia comes to Urban Works with a background in marketing and strategic planning for a wide variety of organizations ranging from large corporations to small technology startups to non-profit foundations. Her personal experience with both mental health and physical challenges in her family have led her to be passionate about providing equal access to fun and enriching experiences for everyone.
Board Member
Rev. Diane Ford
Diane Ford serves as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Cruz, California. Before answering a call to ministry, she worked as a professional musician (piano and voice), teaching students, directing choirs, performing, and serving as music director for several musical theater productions in theaters around the Sacramento area. She spent 13 years living in New York City and New Jersey while attending seminary and serving in a church. Diane enjoys dogs, Star Trek, good food, and spending time with friends.
Board Member, Secretary
Rev. Anne McAnelly
Anne is the pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Aptos. She brings over 30 years of ministry experience, leading congregations and caring for people. Life blessed her with a child on the spectrum which birthed her passion for providing resources for those who move through the world differently.
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