We are working to build our social capital because we believe that when people come face to face with a common interest or purpose, something magical happens. By creating fun and inspiring gatherings, programs, events and mixers, we bring people together to find our common ground, create friendships, engage in meaningful conversations, and realize a sense of belonging.
Member Driven
We are a 501(c)3 California Non Profit Organization, made possible by your participation. Please consider becoming a member if you haven’t done so already. With your support, we can continue to protect and build our vibrant society and ensure a quality of life return on your investment.
We Keep You Informed
Want to get more involved in your local community or would you simply like to be in the know of all the cool and positive things are going on in Petaluma? We did too! That’s why we created our Community Calendar and our weekly Aqus News – a live website and newsletter that comes directly to your inbox each week.
Aqus Community Foundation Executive Director John Crowley is a dedicated community builder who has significantly strengthened the social and cultural fabric of Petaluma through his creative efforts to build social capital. Often described as the catalyst behind Petaluma’s spirit of connection, John has been recognized with Petaluma’s highest honor, the Good Egg Award. In 2006 he founded Aqus Café, a vibrant community hub that serves as a “third space” where residents naturally gather and connect. His creation of the Aqus Community Foundation in 2015, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, further reflects his deep commitment to fostering a thriving, resilient, and connected community. In 2022 John co-founded Cool Petaluma a community action group to help Petaluma become more resilient.
John’s initiatives, such as the Aqus Community Crawl, the rejuvenation of community-containers such as the Petaluma Moose Lodge, and numerous festivals and fairs, have successfully brought people together and supported local businesses. His belief in the profound impact of increasing social capital has driven him to create environments that encourage community interaction, from hosting community dinners and industry-specific gatherings to facilitating Petaluma Conversations, a series of dialogues aimed at fostering understanding and empathy on important social issues.
In his latest initiative, John aims to bring people together through a platform that encourages social engagement and active participation in various community activities. Responding to the United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s call to address the loneliness epidemic, John has proposed an innovative community-driven solution: committing to join one new membership organization every year for the next five years. The Joiners Movement aims to counteract the loneliness epidemic by encouraging deeper engagement with community organizations, fostering connections, and promoting a sense of belonging and purpose.
John was recently invited to present his work to the International Social Capital Association. The presentation is available here.
Diane Elise Gentile
Diane comes to Aqus Community after having several lifetimes of experience from an academic educator to director of an international company. Having lived abroad and moving extensively throughout her life, she acquired an early appreciation of social relationships, community and belonging. After deciding to stop moving around and put down roots, Diane chose Petaluma for precisely the community values she shares with her partner and fellow Aqus Community visionary John Crowley.
“Petaluma, is an extremely desirable place for many reasons but especially there exists a culture of community in the truest sense. The people I’ve come to know maintain a very high level of social interaction and within this lies a bunch of pretty great values – like the importance of our relationships to one another, compassion and tolerance.” Her work with Aqus Community Foundation resonates now more than ever.
Andy Shrader
Andy led LA’s aggressive climate, water and environmental work for a decade with LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz. Now via his consultancy, 2100iff Strategies (we’ll reach the year 2100 “if and only if”), Andy continues his fight to cool the planet, guiding organizations and agencies on state and local climate, energy, biodiversity and healthy soils legislation, zero waste efforts, climate action plan implementation, and high profile campaigns. He represents the City of Petaluma on the SCTCA Climate Action Advisory Committee. Andy and his wife have two kids and his primary mission in life is to seed their pathways to a safe, healthy, democratic and equitable year 2100.
Val Richman
Val was the Executive Director of the Petaluma Arts Center since July, 2014. She has been a Petaluma resident for 27 years. Before joining the Petaluma Arts Center, she served as Executive Director for Mentor Me Petaluma. Richman also was education and marketing director at Cinnabar Theater and has volunteered for many organizations and causes in Petaluma and Sonoma County. She was a founding member of Le Cercle Français de Petaluma. As DJVal, she produces Twist & Shout Funky Dance Jam, Lunch Beat Petaluma, and keeps the dance floors full at events and parties. Richman served on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Wine Country Chapter and is a volunteer with ARTery at Burning Man. She was a longtime Girl Scout Leader, a tutor and PTA President, among many school-related volunteer positions.