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Workforce Development Board of Ventura County names new executive director

Evans was a senior manager for the Human Services Agency.

The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Ventura County has named Rebecca Evans as its executive director. Before joining the WDB, Evans was a senior manager for the Human Services Agency within the County of Ventura.

While with the Human Services Agency, Evans oversaw programs including Homeless Services, the Homeless Management Information System, RAIN Transitional Living Center, Veterans Services and programs involving the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

“There is a natural connection between our economy, our workforce and quality of life,” says Evans. “For our economy to thrive, we need skilled, qualified workers to retain and attract employers who offer high demand, high wage jobs. This enables workers to afford to live where they work, right here in Ventura County.”

Evans says, as executive director, her job is to support WDB goals. The WDB board has identified three sectors—healthcare, manufacturing and clean and green technologies—sectors that are creating new jobs with potentially high wages.

“Throughout her career, Rebecca has been committed to workforce and economic development, social equity, designing and implementing programs and working with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive community, workforce and business needs,” says Gregory Liu, WDB chair. “We are excited that Rebecca has joined the WDB as we continue to support programs that grow our workforce and enhance business opportunities in Ventura County.”

Evans earned her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. She completed a Post Graduate Series in Management and Organizational Behavior from California Lutheran University. She is a current member of the Ventura County Civic Alliance Executive Committee, a founding member of the United Women’s Leadership Council of United Way and former member of the P-16- (now P-20) Council on Education.

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County administers federal funds that help to support America’s Job Center of California locations and other free job seeker, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. For more information, call 800-500-7705 or visit http://workforceventuracounty.org.

Always wanted to learn about fly fishing?

The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will be conducting an introductory class on fly fishing and casting the fly rod on Saturday, Feb. 2nd, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, and you are invited to join in at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, in East Ventura (off Telephone Rd). There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are experienced or a complete novice they want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have your own rod, don’t worry, just come and use one provided.

www.sespeflyfishers.org For more information Bob Smith at 805-647-3522.

Art Tales writing contest now open

Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships is proud to sponsor the 11th Annual Art Tales Writing Contest. This writing contest, inspired by art, is open to writers worldwide. Contestants are asked to view four selected pieces from the City’s Municipal Art Collection and compose a short story or poem (500 words or less) based on one. This year’s theme “Objects of Curious Happenstance” plays upon the whimsical and creative nature of the four selected artworks. The community is invited to view the art in person, during regular business hours, on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 501 Poli St.

Writers, in three age categories (youth, teen, and adult), will find information on how to enter, teacher lesson plans, and biographies of the artists on the Art Tales website. All entries must be submitted through email, and only one entry may be submitted per person. The deadline to submit is Wed., April 10. For more information contact Tobie Roach at 805-658-4759 or [email protected].

Birds on a Wire, Pajaros en el Alambre by Rafael Perea de la Cabada

A conversation with Rafael Perea de la Cabada Sunday, February 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, FOTM is excited to partner this year with the Museum of Ventura County, where each artist’s interview will be filmed before a studio audience.

Rafael Perea de la Cabada is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is steeped in the artist’s rich cultural heritage. His intuitive approach draws from his personal experience, incorporating deep narratives layered in symbolism. To learn about Rafael Perea de la Cabada, visit www.RafaelPerea.com

Free to FOTM members, $15 for public; $10 for seniors.

AfterGLOW Fundraising Event: The public is welcome to join the artist for a celebratory fundraising dinner at VITA Art Center, located just steps from the museum, immediately following the program. Paid reservations are required prior to February 12.

$30 FOTM members, $40 Non-members. To RSVP visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

GCTD announces changes in board leadership and management team

Publisher Sheldon with GCTD new 2019 Board Chair Cheryl Heitmann.

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), Ventura County’s largest provider of public transit, has announced some changes in its Board of Directors and management team.

On January 9th, the GCTD Board of Directors elected Cheryl Heitmann as its 2019 Board Chair, and Port Hueneme Mayor Will Berg as Vice Chair.  In addition, City of Ojai has appointed Councilmember Randy Haney to the District’s Board after former Councilmember Paul Blatz decided not to run for reelection.  He served on the council since 2010 and on GCTD’s Board since 2013.

Councilmember Haney joins the five-member Board, which also includes City of Oxnard Councilmember Bryan MacDonald and County Supervisor John Zaragoza, that represents nearly 4 million annual passengers who utilize GCTD’s fixed route and paratransit services in western Ventura County.

Gold Coast Transit District provides safe, responsive, convenient, efficient, and environmentally responsible fixed-route bus and paratransit public transportation that serves the diverse needs of the cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura, and in the unincorporated County areas between the cities. Utilizing a fleet of 56 clean natural gas-fueled buses, and 26 paratransit buses and vans, GCTD carries nearly 4 million passengers annually on its 20 bus routes. GCTD is the largest provider of public transit in Ventura County and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of an elected official from each member jurisdiction.  For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.GoldCoastTransit.org.

Previous Harbor Community Church lot to be sold

In a very controversial agreement, the City agreed to pay $2.3 million to buy this property.

Quoting, in part from a previous article in the Ventura Breeze written by Rebecca Wicks:

“Harbor Community Church has filed a lawsuit against the City of Ventura signaling the start of the next round in the fight over the church’s controversial homeless program. The program, which provides meals, showers and religious worship to a primarily homeless population, has been accused of being the source of a significant uprising in criminal activity in a once quiet residential neighborhood.”

“On May 14, two days after the City Council meeting, the church closed Operation Embrace. On May 15, temporary City Attorney Juli Scott reported Harbor Church pastor Sam Gallucci sent her an email stating he was going to consult with church elders to decide whether the church would sue. The following day the church filed a lawsuit and restarted its services. “

“The suit argues the church’s First Amendment freedom of religion rights have been violated and also cites the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.”

“In a very controversial agreement, the City has agreed to pay $2.3 million to buy the property at 3100 Preble Ave. with Harbor Community Church agreeing to leave Ventura.”

The lot has been cleared, Brad Starr, P.E. Engineering Services Manager City of Ventura Public Works Department told the Breeze “The City is preparing a plan for the sale of the property that was the Harbor Church. The property will be sold for the development of 4 single family residences. The price is to be determined by high bid at this time. The schedule to start selling the property is at the end of January.”

“The zoning is R1-7, therefore single-family homes with minimum 7,000 square foot lots. This was the original underlying zoning for this property. A Tract Map has already been recorded with the County of Ventura that split the lot into 4 parcels and addresses have been assigned by the City.”

The selling of these lots will certainly not re-coverer the $2.3 million paid for it plus the expense of demolition and legal fees.

YMCA to kick off its Annual Campaign

Pattie Braga understands the deep and meaningful impact the Y has in the community.

The Ventura Family YMCA is gaining momentum to kick off Annual Campaign, a volunteer-lead effort that raises funds for programs that membership fees do not cover. Life enriching programs like LIVESTRONG® and Third Grade Learn to Swim are supported solely by donations.

Annual Campaign Chair Pattie Braga understands the deep and meaningful impact the Y has in the local community. Braga believes “everyone in a beachside city should know how to swim. The Ventura Family YMCA saves lives with our Third Grade Learn to Swim program by providing free swim lessons to any third grader who has not learned how to swim.”

As the nation’s leading nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y is also one of the largest charities in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 119 countries.

Locally, with the help of volunteers and the generosity of the community, the Y is able to provide more than $1 million dollars in scholarships annually in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Scholarships allow families to become members of the Y, children to attend afterschool care and camp, and teens to participate in Youth & Government programs, to name a few.

The Ventura Family YMCA is looking for volunteer campaigners to help raise much needed funds. Braga is a part of Annual Campaign because “it costs so little to make a huge impact.” If you believe in the Y’s mission and cause and would like to volunteer, contact the Y today.

Established in 1887, the Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization of seven YMCA branches serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties including: Camarillo Family YMCA, Lompoc Family YMCA, Montecito Family YMCA, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez, Ventura Family YMCA, and Youth and Family Services YMCA which operates Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, the St. George Family Youth Center and My Home.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Channel Islands YMCA serves over 46,000 individuals and provides over $1.3 million in financial assistance to families in need for child care, YMCA memberships, away and day camps, youth sports, and teen after-school programs. For more information about the Ventura Family YMCA visit www.ciymca.org/ventura

Almost half a million dollars in new Housing Choice Voucher funds to be distributed

The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) has partnered with Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHACV) and the Oxnard Housing Authority (OHA) to distribute almost half a million dollars in new Housing Choice Voucher funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Mainstream Voucher Program. The HUD Mainstream program provides funding to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other separated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. The HACSB-AHACV-OHA partnership received funding sufficient to support up to 45 families countywide.

This partnership among housing agencies is the first of its kind in our region and reflects an ongoing trend of partnership among county and city jurisdictions in Ventura County to combat increasing homeless concerns. This year’s HUD funding for this Mainstream Voucher Program is the first since 2005, and prior funding was not awarded to local agencies. HACSB’s Chief Executive Officer Denise Wise said, “This Housing Authority partnership and competitive grant win contributes significantly to our efforts to provide affordable housing in an increasing costly Ventura rental market for disabled residents. These Mainstream funds will assist our community in permanently housing disabled residents.”

The Housing Authority partners also assembled a service network of providers to commit support to clients housed through this program. HUD recognizes the necessity of wraparound supportive services and the Ventura housing agencies were successful in rallying the support of a variety of organizations, including the County Human Services Agency, VCAAA, NAMI, the Salvation Army, Turning Point Foundation, and the County Whole Person Care program.

For eligibility screening, beneficiaries should contact partner agency service coordinators or call 211.

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, with 376 public housing units, more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers, and over 450 non-profit affordable rental units. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents throughout the City of Ventura.

The AHACV is an independent, non-profit agency serving the residents of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and the unincorporated areas of Ventura County with 2,542 Section 8 vouchers, 355 public housing units and over 700 affordable rental units. The mission of AHACV is to be a leader in providing opportunities and assistance to people in need of affordable housing through development, acquisitions, and partnerships.

The OHA’s mission is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low-income families and to relieve the shortage of affordable housing in the City of Oxnard. The OHA owns 664 public housing units, and manages over 1,800 Section 8 vouchers. The OHA owns an additional 280 affordable tax-credit housing units, in limited partnership with other entities. The OHA also supports the availability of affordable housing units through its Affordable Housing and Rehabilitation Division (AHRD). The primary activities for the AHRD include financial assistance to low-income first-time homebuyers, assistance to low-income homeowners for housing rehabilitation and financial gap assistance to Community Housing Development Organizations to increase supply of affordable housing units.