Alice Villarreal Redit has joined the Board of Directors at the Mental Wellness Center (MWC).
Villarreal Redit has been employed with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) since 1997. She worked for 10 years in the HACSB housing management department before joining the resident services team in 2007.
As resident programs supervisor, she is responsible for overseeing the operations of the department, and ensuring the coordination and delivery of supportive services to families, seniors, youth and disabled individuals.
Villarreal Redit believes strongly in affordable housing and social justice. She is a former mental health commissioner, and is involved in community efforts to promote social equity.
“The Mental Wellness Center plays such an important role in our community by providing resources that truly support some of our most vulnerable community members,” she said.
“Throughout my career as an affordable-housing and social-service provider, I’ve witnessed the impacts of this issue firsthand; not only on individuals that struggle with mental illness and substance abuse disorders, but also at a broader community level,” she said.
“Mental illness knows no bounds. It is an issue that deeply affects families, as it did mine, and I am proud to lend my support to an organization that is leading the way in increasing education, awareness and opportunities for supported recovery for those most impacted by these challenges.”
Villarreal Redit was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCSB and a masters in psychology from Antioch University.
For more about the Mental Wellness Center, visit www.mentalwellnesscenter.org.