Initially a surfer from New York, Bryan was informally adopted by his Aunt Jo at 16 years old when he was being threatened with physical abuse by his mother's boyfriend. Aunt Jo provided him a safe and loving home as well as helped him build his own bedroom in an unfinished space within her house. Her actions planted the seeds within Bryan to create Eden. Aunt Jo was someone who was extremely devoted to her family. When the Great Recession hit, he lost his job in construction, became homeless and vowed to help as many people out of desperate situations as he could. This was the start of Eden. Through years of handyman work and flipping homes he was able to raise the money to buy property, start building homes and a community for those in need. 

 

Today, he is passionate about doing as much good as he can with the property he invested into and is particularly passionate about working with former foster youth. His earlier family life informed his commitment to  these transitioning youth, and his devotion to do what he can for this community.  He has helped to nurse many young animals into the property, has been excited to work with countless volunteers, and is an amazing mentor and role model to young men who are otherwise at risk. 

Director of Food Security and Community Building

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Chas Learned has 20 years of private consulting and community organizing experience having down work in Africa in his 20s. Chas took the lead in partnering with One Ohana in 2025, to deliver 200 nutritious, fresh meals monthly to our community members. He has been leading the greenhouse team as we mov towards producing 100% of our food onsite. There is a learning curve involved with the climate of Puna Hawaii. Chas also took the lead on the Farm to Car Agriculture Partnership, allowing for food grown on land to be supplemented with other regional partner. In 2026, we plan to expand the agriculture team via more community partners.

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Chas is also committed to building an extended Ohana to support the well being of our special residents. 

Grassroots Fundraising, Social Media, MA in Pastoral Counseling

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Isabelle has worked in non profit funding, small business grassroots financing, and political campaign funding since she was 18. She has her degree in public health, and went on to get her MA in pastoral counseling. She maintains a posture that small scaling financing and job opportunity are important parts of individual well-being.

 

She is happy to be fundraising for individuals to receive housing and stipends. She also manages social media, and hopes to show case the high energy, grassroots environment that Eden is. Finally, she loves the Dorothy Day, intentional community, live and work model of Eden. She is happy to accompany people in the milieu, with advocacy, and with case management. 

 

Isabelle initially developed experience working in land management in East Africa, helping women affected by domestic violence in Rwanda secure a micro loan, managing un-housed people's funding accounts at St Mary's Center in Oakland, leading grassroots funding campaigns out of Spark Center in Boston, helping over a dozen 5 figure small mission oriented businesses to launch or increase their revenue. She successfully led a grassroots team in writing and advocacy to absolve a $150k legal burden on a family non-profit. 

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She has over over 4000 clinical field hours in case management and pastoral care. She is passionate about the intersection of grassroots financing, organization development, and psychological well-being. She is considering getting her MSW.

 

In 2021, she completed a non profit workforce skill training program out of San Francisco county, she completed several venture and marketing courses out of UC Berkeley, and as of 2026, she is in a non profit leadership training credit out of Arizona University.