Society Matters | Rona Barrett Foundation Hosts Montecito Garden Party

By Gail Arnold
Thu Aug 25, 2022 | 6:15am

On August 13, the Rona Barrett Foundation (RBF) hosted a Montecito Garden Party to raise awareness and funds for the next phase of its senior affordable housing — Harry’s House — which it is developing in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of S.B. (HASBARCO) on the same Santa Ynez campus as the Golden Inn & Village, also a partnership with HASBARCO.

About 80 guests enjoyed an afternoon reception on the lovely grounds of the Riven Rock home of Kohanya and Scott Groff. During the program, Advisory Boardmember Anne Towbes shared, with warmth and passion, that many low-income seniors have been lucky to be able to reside at the Golden Inn & Village (GIV), and now Harry’s House will offer 60 more units, this time in a congregate care facility for more frail seniors. “In today’s challenging world,” Towbes remarked, “our diminutive Rona has achieved a Herculean task.” Calling Barrett her “SBC,” sister by choice, Towbes remarked that “Rona’s spirit is so extensive and expansive, I hang on her every word, hoping to learn how to live such a purposeful life.”