John Houdashell is a multi-generational Bay Area native who comes to Empowered Aging with more than 7 years of public service work throughout the Bay Area in direct service to its residents. In his youth he has participated in outreach to our senior community through youth choir. John has also volunteered at the food bank, with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, with My Eden Voice in the unincorporated Alameda County and with Monument Impact in Contra Costa County. He has a passion for the equitable treatment of all individuals and values kindness in the face of difficult situations.

Previously John has worked in the Bay Area’s tech industry, supporting many of its non-profit organizations, from youth outreach to community housing. John has also worked as an EMT for several Bay Area counties providing services ranging from emergency response, to medical appointments and hospice care. These experiences have taught him the beauty of life, in all of its seasons and has shown him firsthand the need for advocacy on behalf of underserved communities.

When John is not advocating, he likes to play guitar, listen to music and is always reading a history book or listening to a history podcast. He loves trying new foods and is always trying to cook something new. He has also made it a personal goal to try and watch and appreciate every sunset.