Our Story
Housing for School Kids had its early roots in 2021 when Karen Osborne, a retired nurse and community activist, wanted to bring some joy into the lives of a homeless family at Christmas. While she was eventually able to help an unsheltered single mother with two children, she encountered countless eye-opening obstacles and frustrations along the way. In January 2022, she teamed up with executive director of the Franklin Legacy Fund, Sandra Leader, and the Legacy Fund’s board chair, Marty Fleetwood, a lawyer who had spent much of her illustrious career developing national homeless policy, to find a way to address the needs of homeless children. When they learned that over 10,000 public school students in Monterey County were identified as homeless, they were shocked and disturbed. Karen posted that statistic on Next Door, and there was an immediate outpouring of concern and interest. A grassroots effort mobilized, and Housing for Kids was born in March of that year.
A Community United for Change
We come from all walks of life. Our ranks are comprised of people with a diversity of skills, all connected in our commitment to ensure every public school student of Monterey County has a home in our community.
Dianne Driessen
In her career as an information technology specialist, Dianne worked for IBM, Xerox, and McGraw-Hill
Joan Costello
Joan started her career as an 8th-grade math and science teacher after several years of sailing around the world.
Laurie Kleinman, M.D
Laurie spent her medical career specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and medical acupuncture.
Sandra Leader
Sandra Leader is the Assistant Spiritual Director of the Center for Spiritual Awakening.
Robin Venuti
After a successful 43-year career of matching philanthropic intent with the needs of the nonprofit sector, Robin is
Risa Fowler
A published poet and real estate investor, Risa has focused much of her personal time on mindfulness and
In Memoriam
Karen Osborne
During her career in health care administration and psychology, Karen served on many boards in the Bay Area,
A Tribute to Karen Osborne May 7, 1948 - July 10, 2025
We are sad to share the news that one of our original founding members, Karen Osborne, died in the summer of 2025 after a long illness. All of us who have shared with Karen the journey of creating and growing Housing for School Kids into a viable organization are heartbroken. We will miss her clarity, vision, and focus in helping to shape and support H4SK through its inception and early growing pains to the place it is today.
Honoring Karen Osborne’s Legacy
Karen has inspired us all with her passion and grit, still working on Housing for School Kids projects up to her final days. Countless people’s lives have been made better because of Karen’s willingness to roll up her sleeves and figure out ways to move beyond obstacles (and there were many) to achieve something of lasting value. We are not looking forward to life without Karen, but we are committed to carrying forward this work that meant so much to her.