Susan Macari

My family moved to Atascadero when I was a child 66 years ago. I was fortunate to raise my three children in Atascadero.
Over the years I have had different hobbies from my younger years of horseback riding and some competing. I enjoyed floral arranging for weddings and events, water color painting, also enjoyed kayaking. I crocheted warm beanie hats yearly for the unhoused as well starting a food program for the local Atascadero Warming Shelter.
I graduated from Atascadero High School, was married for thirty-two years, and later in life at age 54 went to Cuesta College. I obtained a Psychiatric Technician license, after many years of being in retail business. I worked for 91/2 years at Atascadero State Hospital. First working on regular units and then in a specialized department, Positive Behavioral Support, where I continued to expand my training and working with the most dangerous patients, until my retirement.
My first husband, and I previously had three businesses in downtown Atascadero for over thirty years combined, two retail and an insurance agency. I gained a lot of insight into working with the public and learning how to conduct business in Atascadero.
During my time in business, I also served as Director of the Business Improvement Association for Atascadero downtown businesses district, with an office located in City Hall. I was the liaison to the city from the local businesses in the BIA District.
I am now married to a language teacher at Mission College Prep High School. We have 6 children between us, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild and one more on the way.
I, previously before volunteering for ALF Food Pantry, served on the board of Transitional Food and Shelter that was dedicated to housing the medically unwell, unhoused individuals, and providing shelter during the harsher weather months. I was director for the Atascadero Warming Center for unhoused for three years, during my time with Transitional Food and Shelter.
After my time with TFS, I signed up to volunteer for ALF Food Pantry, and then was asked to serve on their Board of Directors and am currently on the board and very happy to do what I can for our food insecure individuals in our areas.