Fresh Start Board of Directors

&

 Honorary Board

Fresh Start Board of Directors

Jackie Doyle
Mother of former participant

R.G. Edmonds
KGO Radio News

Natalie Glasow
Gray Panthers of West Contra Costa

Susan Prather
Executive Director, Founder and Board Member

Lakshmi Samanta 
Former Fresh Start Participant      

Fresh Start Honorary Board 

Rabbi Arik Ascherman
Rabbi’s for Human Rights

Edward Asner, Chair - Honorary Board
Actor, Human Rights Activist

Gary Bogue
Columnist, Contra Costa Times

Ronnie Gilbert 
Actor, Singer, Writer, Activist

Ellen J. Tabachnick, J.D.
Civil Rights Advocate
Attorney, Admitted in FL, MA,
U.S. District Court Northern CA &
Ninth Circuit Solely

Rev. James Tramel
Trinity Episcopal Church, San Francisco

Thank you for your service

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting WOW, what a ride!"

A long term commitment to Fresh Start, working hard to make the world a better place for those we serve, will probably result in the kind of journey’s end described above. I can tell you, though, that it is certainly worth the trip and it is a great ride!

Fresh Start is fortunate to have such a committed, understanding, hard working and compassionate Board of Directors and Honorary Board. Our board is comprised of many wonderful people, as is our honorary board.  We are honored to have a woman who has been an activist all of her life and she is now 80 and still going strong. As member of the West County Gray Panthers she has raised her voice on behalf of many people, including the working poor and those among the homeless, A retired high school English teacher read an article about Fresh Start and recognized me (Susan Prather) as a former student, began volunteering at Fresh Start and joined our Board of Directors. Each board and honorary board member contributes something rare and wonderful to this organization.  Your support and friendship is miraculous. For those we serve, your care, friendship, and understanding encourages them on their path to find a new and better life. 

Those who serve on our board and honorary board, the many people from the immediate community and beyond who support Fresh Start,our friends who visit and cheer us on, the community that is Fresh Start and I have all experienced another year of growth and inspiration.  My favorite days at Fresh Start are those when friends, supporters and board members visit and spend time talking with the people of Fresh Start. Something as simple as that can enrich lives, lift spirits and build trust where there was none.

Fresh Start is a unique and different kind of organization. We provide a respite from the streets and place for people to simply “be." We also provide a wide variety of services for those we serve. This year we see it all working in a wonderful way, in the way that I had envisioned it could be. 

Our office manager and assistant manager, are both without homes.They run Fresh Start in a good and joyful way. After years of being “invisible" they are now an important part of a community and an innovative organization. Our mailing list is maintained by someone who came to us for services and then became a volunteer. Fresh Start is fortunate to have such fine people work with us.They have enriched our lives and they define what Fresh Start is as an organization. 

To add a personal note, I would like to thank my husband, Bill, who so generously donates his time and talent to Fresh Start. I have always said that Bill makes my life better in every way. In Fresh Start we have combined forces to make Fresh Start a model of service and respite for those we serve.

The people who use Fresh Start run Fresh Start. This year, the community that is Fresh Start took my vision a step further and we flew even higher. Your support and care for those we serve was instrumental in making it happen. You have my appreciation and my gratitude. 

Thank you.

Susan Prather