Jim Duran welcomed all and was ready to serve food with the residents.
by Richard Lieberman
August 18, 2022, an open house event was held at the City Center in Ventura. Jim Duran the lead pastor of the River Community Church founded by Duran and his team in 2004 is the Executive Director of the City Center.
The City Center is a transitional living facility for homeless individuals and families giving them the needed skills and tools to rebuild their lives and gets them on the road to self-sufficiency and healing. The event held at the City Center, 837 East Thompson Blvd. iwas attended by several Ventura dignitaries including Sabrena Rodriguez, Ventura Unified School District, School Board, Doug Halter Ventura City Council Member, Alex McIntyre, Ventura City Manager and Sergeant Michael Anselmo, Ventura Police Department.
To be considered for the City Center program individuals or families must complete an application process. “We ask pretty simple questions there are only about nine questions we require,” Duran said. “We ask them how long they have been free from drugs and alcohol and if they say less than six months then we do another program with them.” Added Duran. “They have to be willing to work that is really the bottom line, they have to be willing to get out of the situation they are in, get their kids out of the situation, “he added. Some of the requirements include the potential resident’s willingness to get out of debt and be alcohol and drug free in order to be considered for the program. The center helps by working out programs that will help the potential resident get off government funding, and programs that help with drug or alcohol addiction.
“We have a curfew we do random drug testing unlike our shelter here in Ventura which is called a low barrier shelter so if I get in the shelter, I can eat a few meals then I can go out and get wasted and as long as I am back by curfew, I am good.” Duran added. “How is that helping anyone.” He spoke. The Center in the last eight years has helped 108 families and 304 individuals to get permanent housing and of all the graduates of the program 95% have never gone back into homelessness.
The Center also offers help by having several classes for resident’s that range from how to build a resume to financial coaching. Several businesses in our area have been willing to give the Center’s residents an opportunity at gainful employment.
City Council Member Doug Halter was in attendance. “The City Center is probably the most successful model of how to get people off the streets.” Halter said. “City Center is essential for this city.” He added.
Sponsorship for housing a family costs $7,500 and covers the cost of housing for up to a year.
