Renata Heberton, Founder & Executive Director
Renata Heberton founded Angelica Village in 2016 with tremendous help and support from family, friends and community members. Angelica Village was born from a lifelong vision based on the fundamental idea of a comprehensive and unconditional support network.
Renata's first experience with a healing intentional community was with the House of Peace outside of Boston, MA. Renata spent the summer of 2005 learning about the profound therapeutic and healing possibilities that can come from an intentional and welcoming community. Her experience with the House of Peace helped form the basis of her passion and commitment to creating a community in her hometown of Denver.
Renata received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a focus on U.S and Latin American history from Grinnell College in 2006. Upon graduation, she worked as a coach for Playworks in Boston, MA where she created play focused youth leadership and after school programs for children K-5.
In the spring of 2010, Renata earned a Master's degree in social work from the University of Denver with a concentration in community social work. At DU she completed community organizing centered internships. Her capstone project at DU involved collaborating with Jean East, a professor, community organizer and founder of Project Wise, an organization that supports women who are low income. With Jean, Renata began to create a formal plan for a “intentional community” that would later become Angelica Village as it exists today.
With the guidance of its board, Renata now serves as Executive Director of Angelica Village, a thriving community of families and individuals addressing their needs and pursuing their dreams through supportive programming and services.
Amy Van Der Kamp, Co-Founder & Operations Director
As someone who has been part of Angelica Village before it had a name I have been fully immersed in the community from the beginning. I have a professional background in finances, construction, business management, HR, and operations management. I believe all of my experiences in life have led me to finding my purpose and passion with Angelica Village.
I serve as the Operations Director, helping with the day to day logistics, practical tasks, and the finances. I feel very fortunate to have found Angelica Village and the community it has become. I am amazed at how it grows and develops everyday.
Jean F. East, Co-Founder & Board Chair
As a retired social worker and social work professor from the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, I am pleased to continue my community work with an organization like Angelica Village. I was privileged to be part of the dream of Renata Heberton, Director for Angelica Village when she was a student in my classes.
Inspired by the dream and my previous work with women marginalized by poverty, race and trauma, I had studied the significance of social support as key to health and resilience in individuals, families and communities. I was introduced to the idea of intentional community as a model of mutual support that embodies Angelica Village and its work. I serve as Board Chair, work with individuals and families and assist in the non-profit management duties of the community and organization. Angelica Village is a significant part of my life and I cannot imagine retirement without it.