Mesa Receives a Multiyear Grant and Leadership Training to Expand Critical Services
Bank of America has named Mesa as its 2025 Neighborhood Builder® for its work to help young adults experiencing homelessness across Ventura County get back on stable footing.
Mesa provides transitional housing and trauma-informed programs for young adults (ages 18–24) experiencing homelessness in Ventura County. Through stable housing, compassionate support, and community connection, Mesa empowers young people to heal, grow, and thrive.
Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development, while providing unique multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in communities nationwide. As a Neighborhood Builder, Mesa is awarded a $50,000 grant over two years, leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader, and the opportunity to connect with nonprofits in a peer network.
Demand for emergency and transitional housing continues to rise in Ventura County, with a 15% increase in the sheltered homeless population in 2024 compared to the previous year. Mesa provides young adults ages 18–24 with safe, stable transitional housing and trauma-informed wraparound services that address their whole well-being – from mental health and education to employment and financial stability. By connecting participants with schools, employers, county agencies, and community partners, Mesa empowers youth to build independent, sustainable lives. The Neighborhood Builder grant will enable Mesa to expand their successful programs and strengthen staff capacity to meet the growing need.
“Nonprofits such as Mesa deliver effective solutions to help people overcome obstacles to personal and financial stability,” said Midge Campbell-Thomas, president, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara. “By providing flexible funding and leadership training, the Neighborhood Builders program can help Mesa scale its impact.”
“This award comes at a pivotal time for Mesa,” said Dan Parziale, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Mesa. “The Neighborhood Builder program not only strengthens our ability to offer housing and support services for young adults but also invests in our team’s leadership and long-term sustainability. It’s an opportunity to build a stronger foundation for lasting community impact.”
Bank of America has selected seven local nonprofits across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for its Neighborhood Builder program since 2019, as part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities through economic opportunity. Overall, Bank of America has awarded $6 million in grants to local nonprofits addressing economic opportunity since 2020, and its employees have volunteered 225,000 hours to local causes.
Mesa Was Born Out of a Desire to Move Upstream.
By providing housing, wellness offerings, vocational support, and community connection, Mesa cultivates possibility for young adults facing homelessness, supporting an upstream solution to housing insecurity.
When co-founders Dan Parziale and Kyle Thompson first met in early 2020, Dan was commuting from Ojai to LA where he was Senior Director of Housing Navigation at LA Family Housing. Kyle had recently sold the business he co-founded and was looking for a new project that would help give back to his community.
Prior to his work with LA Family Housing, Dan had spent several years doing international redevelopment work and received his Masters in Nonprofit Administration. In transitioning to homeless services, Dan wanted to focus on an issue closer to home and spent 7 years with LA Family Housing before pitching Kyle on the initial concept of an integrated, community-centered approach to homeless prevention. Over the next 6 months, Dan and Kyle explored the data behind homelessness and the statistically poor outcomes for those exiting the foster care system and for other young adults with an unstable upbringing. Recognizing that housing was a necessary, but insufficient solution, the groundwork was laid to build out an individualized program.
Dan and Kyle got to work quickly registering as a 501c3 and forming strategic partnerships. The Ventura County Executive Office, Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere, and State Assemblymember Steve Bennett were early and enthusiastic partners. With the support of Ventura County and in partnership with People’s Self-Help Housing, Mesa applied for and won a Homekey grant through California’s Housing and Community Development Department to support the acquisition and development of Mesa in Ojai.
We had our first cohort of 13 young adults begin moving in August of 2024. At present, we have all ten tiny homes occupied, a full staff onsite, and a growing community of support. To learn more, visit www.mesafarm.org or follow Mesa on social media @mesa_farm.
