Housing Trust Fund VC CEO Linda Braunschweiger speaking to the packed house.
Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (www.housingtrustfundvc.org) set another fundraising record at its 4th Annual Compassion Campaign. With a strong showing of community leaders in attendance, the organization exceeded last year’s record setting fundraising high. Supported in part by Keystone Sponsors City National Bank and HOPE (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere), the Museum of Ventura County provided the perfect back drop for this year’s theme, HOME MADE: Fund It + Build It + Live It, which featured three museum-quality exhibits that immersed guests into a learning experience, which highlighted through sight and sound what it takes to fund, build, and live in safe, equitable, and affordable homes in Ventura County.
An evening highlight was an intimate conversation on a living room styled stage hosted by Housing Trust Fund VC CEO Linda Braunschweiger. She spoke with Elenore Vaughn, Executive Director of the City of Santa Paula’s Housing Authority, Jennifer Harkey from the County of Ventura’s Continuum of Care, and John, a U.S. veteran and resident of Oakwood Court senior affordable apartments – the second ever funded development by Housing Trust Fund VC in 2016. “It’s inspirational to see the recognition of two Santa Paula Housing Authority residents at this event who still reside in the first two developments funded by Housing Trust Fund VC. It validates the work we all do to help low-income families obtain housing that truly changes lives for the long-term,” commented Vaughn.
The evening was emceed by David Kohlmeier, President & Chair of the Board of RAIN Communities, who shared his powerful story of finding himself and his then five-year-old son homeless, even as he had a paying job. Now a proud homeowner, Kohlmeier credits organizations like RAIN and Housing Trust Fund VC for giving people like him and John a supportive hand up so that they can contribute to the collective prosperity of our community.
“I’m energized by the growing support for affordable housing in Ventura County,” said Housing Trust Fund Ventura County CEO Linda Braunschweiger. “As we know from the recent Homeless Point in Time count, the need continues to solve housing insecurity and we hope that providing educational guest experiences like our signature Compassion Campaign can shed light on what we all can do – it can be as simple as earmarking donations to Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.”
The event’s immersive exhibits were sponsored by Community West Bank, McCarthy Construction Companies, and the City of Ventura. Additional Compassion Campaign 2023 sponsors include Ventura Investment Company, Bank of the Sierra, CBC Federal Credit Union, First Citizens Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, Amcal Somis Ranch, Blois Construction, County of Ventura, Cannon Constructors, Landscape Development, Limoneira Company, Port of Hueneme, Premier America, Staples Construction, VC Community Foundation, and Ventura County Credit Union.
To support funding more affordable housing across Ventura County, please visit: www.housingtrustfundvc.org/donate-now.
