Children working with clay in an art event

Nearly 40 years of showing up

Nearly 40 years of
showing up

Meet Our Team

Nearly 40 years of showing up

Children working with clay in an art event

Nearly 40 years of showing up

Meet Our Team

Nearly 40 years of showing up

Since 1989, DrawBridge has brought free expressive arts to children across the Bay Area and has served over 35,000 children and youth.

Our History

From its earliest days, DrawBridge has created safe spaces where kids can express themselves creatively, fostering creativity, resilience, and belonging. Under the visionary leadership of our founder, Gloria Simoneaux, the first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters—where the transformative power of creative practice quickly became clear.

From its earliest days, DrawBridge has centered art as a tool to cultivate trust, curiosity, self-expression, belonging, and resilience. The organization’s first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters, where the transformational impact of creative practice quickly became clear.

From its earliest days, DrawBridge has centered art as a tool to cultivate trust, curiosity, self-expression, belonging, and resilience. The organization’s first art groups launched at Hamilton Family Center and Marin Housing Center’s emergency shelters, where the transformational impact of creative practice quickly became clear.

A child learning to mold with clay

Our Mission

DrawBridge offers free expressive arts programs for children and youth in under-resourced communities, many of whom are experiencing housing instability. Grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, our programs foster creativity, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Our Vision

A world where every child—regardless of circumstance—has consistent access to spaces where their creative expression is honored, their voices matter, and their inherent strengths 

are recognized through the arts.



Our Values

Our Team

We are powered by a dedicated team of staff facilitators, community artists, and partners who believe every young person deserves a consistent safe space to create, be seen, and feel supported. Together with families, partner sites, and local artists, we deliver expressive arts programs that honor every child and youth voice.

Executive Team

Click on Photo to view bio

Click on Photo to view bio

Evelisa Genova

Evelisa Genova

Executive Director

Evelisa Genova

Evelisa Genova

Executive Director

Mariah Parvizi

Mariah Parvizi

Program Director

Mariah Parvizi

Mariah Parvizi

Program Director

Evelisa Genova

Evelisa Genova

Executive Director

Mariah Parvizi

Mariah Parvizi

Program Director

Board of Directors

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Mariannne Owens

Mariannne Owens

Board Member

Mariannne Owens

Mariannne Owens

Board Member

Cara Stallone

Cara Stallone

Board Member

Cara Stallone

Cara Stallone

Board Member

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Board President

Marianne Owens

Marianne Owens

Board Member

Cara Stallone

Cara Stallone

Board Member

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Board President

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Wendi Messing Gilbert

Board President

Facilitators

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Gabi Gorostieta

Gabi Gorostieta

Facilitator

Gabi Gorostieta

Gabi Gorostieta

Facilitator

Jackie Gabovitch

Jackie Gabovitch

Facilitator

Jackie Gabovitch

Jackie Gabovitch

Facilitator

Mecury Abban

Mecury Abban

Facilitator

Sarahnelia Mallari

Sarahnelia Mallari

Facilitator

Sarahnelia Mallari

Sarahnelia Mallari

Facilitator

 Gabi Gorostieta

Gabi Gorostieta

Facilitator

Jackie Gabovitch

Jackie Gabovitch

Facilitator

Mercury Abban

Mercury Abban

Facilitator

Sarahnelia Mallari

Sarahnelia Mallari

Facilitator

Kathleen Keating

Kathleen Keating

Facilitator

Kathleen Keating

Kathleen Keating

Facilitator

Madeline Boon

Madeline Boon

Facilitator

Madeline Boon

Madeline Boon

Facilitator

Janna McLaughlin.

Janna McLaughlin.

Facilitator

Kathleen Keating

Kathleen Keating

Facilitator

Madeline Boon

Madeline Boon

Facilitator

Helen Ghebreyesus

Helen Ghebreyesus

Facilitator

Helen Ghebreyesus

Helen Ghebreyesus

Facilitator

Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller

Facilitator

Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller

Facilitator

Michele Viti

Michele Viti

Facilitator

Jennifer Lipson

Jennifer Lipson

Facilitator

Jennifer Lipson

Jennifer Lipson

Facilitator

Kay Moore

Kay Moore

Facilitator

Kay Moore

Kay Moore

Facilitator

Helen Ghebreyesus

Helen Ghebreyesus

Facilitator

Michelle Miller

Michelle Miller

Facilitator

Michele Viti

Michele Viti

Facilitator

Jennifer Lipson

Jennifer Lipson

Facilitator

Rosalyn Eastman

Rosalyn Eastman

Facilitator

Rosalyn Eastman

Rosalyn Eastman

Facilitator

Maite Durán

Maite Durán

Facilitator

Maite Durán

Maite Durán

Facilitator

Kay Moore

Kay Moore

Facilitator

Rosalyn Eastman

Rosalyn Eastman

Facilitator

Maite Durán

Maite Durán

Facilitator

Testimonials

"DrawBridge provides many options for our children and helps them expand their artistic abilities. The facilitators and volunteers have made themselves part of our community and that has 100 percent to do with how much our children love spending time with them."

– Rickey

After-School Program Coordinator

"DrawBridge provides many options for our children and helps them expand their artistic abilities. The facilitators and volunteers have made themselves part of our community and that has 100 percent to do with how much our children love spending time with them."

– Rickey

After-School Program Coordinator

"Drawbridge was a physically safe place where we could just be kids and make a mess…my mind was at peace. During times of stress or frustration, I continue to turn towards art as an outlet. That safe space continues to be a part of me today."

– Sadaf

Former participant

"Drawbridge was a physically safe place where we could just be kids and make a mess…my mind was at peace. During times of stress or frustration, I continue to turn towards art as an outlet. That safe space continues to be a part of me today."

– Sadaf

Former participant

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