A Legacy of Vision and Service
The Story of Reverend Dr. Albert J. Turner
Albert J. Turner began his life in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but later immigrated to the U.S. While he initially served as a public relations manager at Cal Baptist University, his life’s work began when he secured a plot of land near the campus in 1958.
Rev Turner and President Eisenhower
Through the newly established Federal Housing Administration insurance program introduced under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Reverend Turner found the opportunity to bring his vision to life. Soon, the once-empty land transformed into a thriving community built on care and connection.
“an inexpensive, homey, safe, attractive place to live – better than rooms where seniors feel unwanted, cooped up…”
The Rose Garden Village
At the groundbreaking ceremony, in 1962, Reverend Turner was joined by distinguished guests, including Marion Miller (the previous owner of the property and widow of Mission Inn founder Frank A. Miller) and Mrs. Hannah Nixon, mother of Richard Nixon. In the years that followed, Richard Nixon, then a candidate for governor of California and former vice president, was present at the dedication of a memorial chapel stone.
Turner’s dream of creating a community that both shelters and supports the well-being of its elderly residents had become a reality in The Rose Garden Village. At the time, it was senior housing unlike any other, and provided them with:
A chapel, daily devotionals, and a restaurant for shared meals
Programs and services to meet residents’ spiritual, social, and emotional needs
Rose gardens, not just for aesthetics, but for gathering and reflection
Casa Perdido Becomes The Village
Years later, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Jonathan Wilson (Turner’s successor), the original model for elderly housing was broadened to include youth, families, and other under-resourced groups. In 2005, that concept expanded into a significant geographic and strategic shift. The organization relocated its operations to Santa Barbara, with the purchase of Casa Perdido, an apartment community in Santa Barbara’s Westside.
In 2006, the Rose Garden Village became The Turner Foundation in memory of Albert J. Turner. Sixty-seven years later, we continue to work on turning Rev. Turner’s dream into action, empowering people through housing, education, and community support.
Rev Turner and President Regan
“Any way that I can serve the people, I want to do it.”
The Turner Foundation Today
From our very first senior community in Riverside to our Hopeful Housing communities across Santa Barbara today, we’ve always done more than provide a place to live. Day after day, we continue to refine our model of "housing plus services" while upholding our founding principles.
Rev Turner and his wife, Florence
Since 1958, we’ve specialized in providing more than just housing, but places where people can belong, grow, and thrive through connection. Through the years, we’ve expanded these ideas to:
Community Learning Centers offering after-school support, enrichment, and mentorship
Foundation Houses that provide transitional housing and support for young adults aging out of instability
Music & Imagination Programs that nurture creative expression and empowerment among youth
Community Relations on Properties such as resident counseling, potlucks, performances, community food banks, and essential housing supply provisions
We remain unwavering in our mission to build a community where everyone is seen, valued, and loved. Guided by Reverend Turner’s enduring vision, we continue to create spaces of hope and belonging, ensuring his legacy lives on in every life we impact. His words still light our path, reminding us that the power of compassion and unity can change lives for generations to come.