MHCH STAFF MEMBERS
Dr. Margaret Lee resides in Pasadena, CA, and is an assistant professor of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Lee’s expertise is in policy, community organizing, organizational planning and development, anti-racism and inclusion, and faith-based social justice strategies. She has worked in both local government and non-profit sectors and her experience include community organizing, policy development and implementation, policy analysis strategic planning and non-profit consulting, program management, and grant writing and evaluation.
She received her BA in Sociology and Asian American Studies with a minor in Afro-American Studies from UCLA. She also received her Masters's in Ph.D. in Social Welfare from UCLA.
Dr. Margaret Lee
Project Manager/Advisor
Bert Newton
Organizer and Outreach Coordinator
Bert Newton is the Organizer and Outreach Coordinator for Making Housing and Community Happen. Newton has participated in the work of the Greater Pasadena Affordable Housing Group for 19 years, then was hired by MHCH in his current position to help build a network of congregations and other community groups and organizations to support the work.
​
Newton was an Associate Pastor at Pasadena Mennonite Church for seven years and continues to be recognized by that congregation as a Ministry Associate, representing the church in the community. Newton also worked for 15 years as a Housing Specialist and Case Manager in an intensive program for adults with severe mental illness who experience homelessness and incarceration. In this work, Newton has gained intimate knowledge of the barriers to housing encountered by this population, the various types of housing available them, as well as the lack of housing for them.
Bert is the author of Subversive Wisdom; Sociopolitical Dimensions of John’s Gospel (https://wipfandstock.com/subversive-wisdom.html) and produces a podcast, Bible Study; Parody and Subversion in Matthew’s Gospel (https://www.buzzsprout.com/874393).
​
​
Morgan Duff Tucker
Video/Website Editor
Morgan Duff Tucker is a video and website editor for MHCH. She has experienced the benefits and blessings of affordable housing firsthand. In the early 1990s, her parents became first-time homebuyers through the mentoring of PNHS (Pasadena Neighborhood Housing Services), a successful, non-profit affordable housing agency. With stable housing, Morgan was able to thrive in her community, and in 2013 she graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Writing for Screen and Television. Morgan went on to work in television production for four years and to build her artist portfolio with both independent and commissioned projects.
In 2019, Morgan opted to leave television production and work for Making Housing and Community Happen. She now uses her writing and media skills to help develop and create awareness about the growing non-profit organization. Morgan hopes to make a difference in her community as others have made a difference in her life.
​
Morgan is also a writer of young adult fiction and her favorite food is mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Dr. Jill Shook and
Dr. Anthony Manousos
Co-founders of MHCH
Dr. Jill Shook, D-Min BGU, is the Founding Director of of Making Housing and Community Happen. Beginning in 1978, Jill served as a campus minister with Missions Door, in San Jose, Fullerton and Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. In the late 80’s she was with Food for the Hungry Intl. coordinating teams from Berkeley and Harvard to serve in developing nations doing sustainable community development with and by the people. In 1991, she moved from Mexico to Pasadena to learn from Dr. John Perkins, her long-time mentor who started the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). She authored/edited Making Housing Happen: Faith Based Affordable Housing Models. She developed and taught Housing Justice and Community Organizing in the APU MA Social Work Dept. Today she does a variety of workshops, including One-Day Housing Justice Workshops around the US. Jill is married to Anthony Manousos, a Quaker peace activist, co-founder of MHCH.
​
Dr. Anthony Manousos is Co-founder of MHCH and chair of Affordable/Supportive Housing Advocates (ASHA). A Quaker peace activist, retired college professor, and author who led AFSC youth groups on service projects in Mexico and edited the official publication of Quakers in the Western USA for eleven years. In 20ll he married Jill Shook, helped her to revise her book, and has become the co-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen. In 2018 he helped lead the successful campaign to convince the City Council to approve homeless housing at Heritage Square South. He currently chairs ASHA, whose goal is to convince the city to build enough homeless housing to reduce the homeless count by 50% in the next five years. Anthony also serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the Friends Committee for National Legislation and Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. He has edited or written seven books, the most recent being "Transformative Quakers" and "Howard and Anna Brinton: Reinventors of Quakerism in the 20th century." He earned a Ph.D, in English literature from Rutgers University, a B.A. from Boston University (where he studied poetry with Anne Sexton) and taught at numerous colleges and universities, including Carleton College, Rutgers, Pepperdine, UC San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College, etc.
​
Lucero Garcia is an experienced community organizer with a demonstrated history of working in diverse communities, including with interfaith communities, and coalitions. Having obtained a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning, her interests include sustainable and equitable land-use, affordable housing, and environmental justice. Lucero advocates for affordable housing, economic justice, equitable resident-driven development, and community engagement and empowerment. Lucero loves to hike and visit the outdoors/national parks.
Lucero Garcia
Project Coordinator
Stephen Berkley is a community organizer for the N. Fair Oaks Empowerment Initiative. He graduated from the University of Redlands with a Bachelor of Arts in Management, and Fuller Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from the School of Intercultural Studies. His experience includes ministries involving youth and young adults, music, and missions, as well as an extended career with AT&T in management working with local government. He has worked in several pastoral roles. Besides working part-time for MHCH, he currently serves at The Message Center Church under the leadership of Sr. Pastor, Dr. Dwight Radcliff. He also serves on the Education Equity Committee of the Clergy Community Coalition of Pasadena, the Social Action Committee of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is a mentor at Stars of Pasadena, and is the Director of Public Relations and Community Outreach of the Latter Rain Ministries, International.
Stephen Berkley
Community Organizer.
Joe Bautista
Joe Bautista received our Affordable Housing Rock Star award in 2023 because of his commitment to being a fair, compassionate landlord, bringing people together, and championing rent control. He and his wife Glory have both volunteered for MHCH, helping with our mailings. He also organized a "friend-raising" lunch for MHCH at his home, inviting all his neighbors.
Joe will work closely with Bert Newton on campaigns, outreach, and research. He will also work with Stephen Berkley on the N. Fair Oaks Empowerment Initiative. He will do administrative work and other tasks, as needed.
​
Joe has been deeply involved with the Pasadena Mennonite Church for 17 years and has also been part of Urban Village, an intentional community in Pasadena that Bert (who is an ordained Mennonite pastor) helped to start. Urban Villagers lived on the same block in Northwest Pasadena and met on a weekly basis to live out their Christian values.