Category Archives: Featured News

Public invited to Ventura City Council’s Community Workshop on Homelessness, April 18

The City of Ventura City Council will hold a Community Workshop on Homelessness, Monday, April 18, 2016 from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Island View Room of the Derby Club. The purpose of the workshop is to:

Provide education and promote community ownership and alignment about homelessness

Foster healthy, collaborative dialogue regarding homelessness in our community through cooperative multi-agency relationships

Provide a starting point for renewed multi-agency and community efforts to identify barriers and strategies toward ending homelessness

The community workshop – facilitated by consultant Ken Lee — is intended to be a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue among the many public and private social service agencies, faith-based, business groups, community advocates and public safety agencies that interface with each other and with the homeless and disenfranchised individuals on a daily basis.

Workshop attendees will participate in group exercises designed so all participants will have an active role working toward creative solutions and enhanced programs through cooperation and collaboration. Small, diverse groups will work together to identify the opportunities, challenges and barriers associated with homelessness.

Before attending the workshop, community members are encouraged to review homeless data and materials available on the City’s website at www.cityofventura.net/homelessservices. The data includes service locations countywide and citywide, population counts, public safety calls for service, affordable housing inventory, zoning for emergency shelters, continuum of care funding, and articles regarding national best practices.

The workshop session will begin at 6:00 pm sharp – seating in the main room is limited, however there will be an overflow space immediately adjacent to the Island View Room.

For more information about the Community Workshop on Homelessness, contact Community Services Manager Peter Brown, 805-658-4707 or [email protected].

City of Ventura accepts the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, April 1 – 30

Cities nationwide are participating in a nationwide contest to be named the “Most Water-Wise” city. Over 3,900 cities are expected to compete and Ventura has its eye on the prize!

In 2015, Ventura took second place for the top-ranked city in the 100,000 – 299,999 population standings.

El Niño has not delivered on its anticipated weather swings and little has changed regarding the status quo facing Southern California’s water supply problem. That’s part of the message behind the upcoming Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, April 1-30, presented nationally by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota.

The campaign, now in its fifth year, kicked off April 1, from the city of San Diego with a clarion call to mayors nationwide to use the power of their post to spread the word about the importance of water conservation.

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko is calling on all Ventura residents to respond.

“I am joining mayors across the country in asking local residents to make a commitment to conserve water,” Nasarenko said. “Ventura is leading the way on water conservation and last year was the runner-up in the nationwide competition, finishing second to the City of Torrance. For the month of April 2016 and beyond, join me Venturans in this challenge, by continuing to reduce water usage and conserving our most precious resource.”

The annual competition rewards residents who take the pledge with a chance to win a Toyota Prius, home irrigation makeovers, environmentally friendly clean products, and hundreds more eco-friendly prizes.

Last year, mayors from 36 states encouraged residents to make over 390,000 pledges to promote drought resiliency, protect watersheds, and ultimately reduce stress on aging water infrastructure.

Ventura residents make their pledges online at www.mywaterpledge.com throughout the month of April. Cities with the highest percentage of residents that make pledges in their population category qualify for over $50,000 in prize drawings.

Answer the call and help Ventura be the most waterwise city in America. Simply go to www.mywaterpledge.com, and pledge either with your Facebook account or email address, and type in Ventura as your city.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/venturawater or www.cityofventura.net/water/mayorschallenge.

Parents get needed help

Two agencies are working in tandem to give parents the extra help required to overcome challenges.

By Gail Field

When a family has trouble creating a safe place for their children because of drug use, trauma, neglect, or other serious causes, they have a place to turn to for help in Ventura County. As it stands, there’s already an open issue with the parent to child communication. Various schools across the USA have turned to alternatives to make parents more proactive and increase their engagement with their young ones. As an example, School Status has been rolled out in hundreds of schools to increase communication between the parents and teachers to better improve their educational qualities. Along with School Status and Children & Family Services of Ventura County they are working to close this barrier.

Two agencies, Children & Family Services of Ventura County and the non-profit Kids & Families Together are working in tandem to give parents the extra help they need through the Therapeutic Visitation Center, which opened in Ventura in 2014.

The work at the Visitation Center focuses on helping families who have suffered incidents of trauma and abuse by providing counseling and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Both the County and Kids & Families Together recognize that children who have suffered abuse and neglect can ultimately thrive in the care of their parents, as long as their parents work diligently to overcome issues that can create unsafe conditions.

In cases where the courts order that a child be removed from the home, the child is placed in the care of a relative or a foster family for their safety. The Therapeutic Visitation Center plays a key role in working toward the reunification of the family.

Children separated from their parents can experience a high level of anxiety, and regular visitation with the parents can be very important. At the Therapeutic Visitation Center parents can participate in a program designed to help bring harmony into the family relationships.

Family Support Specialist Savannah Eden explains: “The therapist meets with parents and children together at the Visitation Center where children are able to play with toys in the room during a session. In real time, the therapist provides counseling for the parents and models effective parenting behavior with the child. For example, children who have suffered family trauma generally do not respond to traditional ways of punishment and reward. When a clinician demonstrates respect for the child in the tone of voice and words used, the parent can see models of alternative ways to engage with the child and learn from such examples during their sessions at the Center.”

In many cases, the parent has experienced family trauma in his or her childhood as well and counseling is provided to address these issues as well. Clients are encouraged to tell the truth if they backslide or fail to meet milestones of improvement. “Here at the Therapeutic Visitation Center we give support to get the parent back on the right track,” says Eden. “It is not uncommon for parents in the therapeutic process to make mistakes along the way. We understand this, and consistently tell the clients that they must tell the truth and face their mistakes so that they may be corrected. The most successful cases are ones in which parents acknowledge their mistakes and have the courage and intent to make corrections with the help of the counselor. For example, a client may slide in their attempt to get off drugs and instead begin using them again. By telling the counselor the truth, they face up to the challenge, and the therapist can support them, helping the client to get back on track.”

The Therapeutic Visitation Center serves as the champion of the clients, encouraging them and giving them tools to get off drugs, to improve their parenting skills, and to better their relationships within the family.

By working with parents in 26 therapeutic sessions, the program helps them better understand their parenting strengths, as well as any family patterns that work against a safe family environment.

Program Manager Crystal Cummings recognizes the positive impact that family counseling and visitation can have. “With strong communication and parenting skills as well as renewed commitment, families can be happier, more stable, and mutually supportive. This stability fosters strong responsible citizens, which in turn strengthens the community as a whole.”

Emmet Cullen a Ventura hero

Bronze Star Medal winner honored at Buena High. Photos by Michael Gordon

On April 7 Buena High School social studies teacher Emmet Cullen received the Bronze Star Medal at a ceremony held at Buena High School. Military veteran and high school teacher Emmet Cullen was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star Medal for recognition of his service in the U.S. Army before his family, hundreds of students and dignitaries. He fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a sergeant.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (26^th congressional district) bestowed Emmet Cullen with the Bronze Star Medal after a musical presentation by the award winning Buena High School Marching Band. She was “Was humbled and honored to be able to be at the awarding of this Bronze Star.”

In accepting the medal Emmet told the large gathering.

“Dear Students, Staff, and Special Guest Congresswoman Julia Brownley,

Thank you so much for joining my family and I in accepting this great honor. I would like to begin by thanking the uniformed service personnel present for their dedication, sacrifice and devotion to our country in this ongoing time of the global war on terror.

Thank you also Congresswoman Julia Brownley, for your offices outstanding service in helping to process this award through the Department of the Army some 9 whole years after it was initially lost. An extra special thanks to the Congresswoman for coming to Buena High School to highlight and bear witness to our many award winning programs!

It means so much to me to be able to gather here with my family, friends, colleagues, and of course the students of Buena High School. I began my teaching career with this year’s graduating class of seniors as a young-faced and frightened student teacher not 5 years ago. Imagine that, a decorated combat veteran afraid of a class of 8th graders? But there I was, terrified. Luckily, I had you, our graduating class, to train me. We have come a long way together these past years, and I could not be more proud to watch each of you walk this coming June.

I have enjoyed getting to know this year’s freshman class, and experienced your loss right along your side. We are all a family here at Buena High School, and we will continue to grow and prosper as a family over these coming years.

Thank you.”

Proud Principal Bobbi Powers said “The entire Buena community is so proud to have a hero amongst us, and we are grateful to have Mr. Cullen as a teacher serving our students.”

City Center brings awareness to domestic violence

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko holds the ribbon while Alissa and children cut it.

On March 31 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the City Center located at 837 E. Thompson to celebrate the opening of the Purple Room to house Alissa and her children.

In welcoming the large gathering Board Member Jim Duran, and Lead Pastor of The River Community Church in Ventura stated “In October of last year the City Center brought awareness to Domestic Violence. Through that event, we were able to raise $10,000 to designate one of our rooms specifically to domestic violence victims and survivors. The Oxnard Monday Club ponied up $7,500 of the $10,000 raised. We are thrilled to be giving the keys to the Purple Room to a mother and her two children that are currently involved in a domestic violence situation. We are moving Alissa and her children, Isaiah and Noah into the City Center in order to keep them safe and get them on the road to recover and self-sufficiency.”

Said Charleen Morla, OMC Board Member “The Oxnard Monday Club is honored and blessed to be part of the City Center’s history in sponsoring The Purple Room, a room in honor of domestic violence survivors. Our members are excited to witness the progress of the lives who come will come into the Purple Room over the years to heal, recover and succeed. Thank you to The City Center staff and board on the amazing job they do in serving these families and to the new family of The Purple Room. Welcome Home”.

Members of the Filipino Community of Ventura County, Inc.(FCVCI) partnered with the Oxnard Monday Club to paint the Purple Room.

Stephanie Caldwell Ventura Chamber President & CEO stated “As Ventura’s only transitional housing center that does not receive government funding, the City Center is changing lives and making a difference every day.”

“Each resident who walks through the doors of the City Center will be touched in ways that many of us will never understand. On behalf of our 650 member companies and our 24 member Board of Directors, it is my honor to recognize the leadership of Jim Duran and his team at the City Center for the monumental work that you are doing.”

“Congratulations Jim on the opening of the Purple Room, this newest addition to the incredible wrap-around support and services that you provide for our community, with a specific focus on victims of domestic violence. We are proud to have you as a part of the Ventura Chamber family and blessed to have you as a part of our community.”

In helping with the cutting Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko told the gathering “Last October, The City Center held a fundraiser and public awareness dinner to assist victims of domestic violence. I, and a number of you in the audience this evening, attended that event, where $10,000 was raised, including a $7,500 donation from the Oxnard Monday Club. Tonight marks the fulfillment of that collaborative effort as we dedicate “The Purple Room” to domestic violence victims and their families. As many of you know, the City Center provides hope, opportunity and basic necessities to those in need of housing, with its children and adults staying in this former motel space anywhere between three months and two years. Upon leaving the City Center, participants go out into the world with a savings account, a job, and a car. More importantly, they graduate with resolve, strength and dignity. It is a pleasure to join all of you in the cutting of the ribbon tonight, and my thanks on behalf of the City of Ventura to the City Center for its ongoing and successful efforts to positively transform the lives of Ventura residents.”

Amber Stevens, Director of Aquatics and Youth Programs at the Ventura Family YMCA who presented Isaiah and Noah with Y swimming lessons said “We’re going to make sure the kids are water safe and we’re going to get them free swim lessons. The Y has also made a promise and that promise is to strengthen communities. And to help you in your next step, in the next chapter of your life, we’re giving you a six month membership to the Y. Where you can come, where the kids can swim, where you can work out, or they can be in the children’s area. And you guys can just have fun with us in our community.”

Also representing the YMCA were Amy Bailey Jurewicz, Executive Director at the Ventura Family YMCA and Alicia Cattoni, Marketing and Communication Director .

Former and current Ventura mayors compete in pie eating contest at 150th anniversary party

A pie eating contest featuring former and current Ventura mayors was held at the recent 150^th anniversary party at Plaza Park. Jim Monahan, Greg Carson, Jack Tingstrom, Jim Friedman, Sandy Smith, Brian Brennan, Carl Morehouse, Christy Weir, Bill Fulton, Ray DiGulio, Cheryl Heitmann and current mayor Erik Nasarenko were the combatants.

Mayor Erik Nasarenko was the runaway winner while former mayor Cheryl Heitmann looked cute with a mustache she didn’t fair very well.

Soroptimist announces 85th Anniversary & Scholarship Awards Event

Soroptimist International (SI) of Ventura, a local service club for business and professional women with the goal of making a difference in the lives of women and girls, is celebrating its 85th year of serving the community of Ventura. The celebration will be held in conjunction with its annual scholarship awards.

April 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road
Cost: $30 per person

Soroptimist raise funds throughout the year for scholarship awards and to provide additional grants to local community organizations serving women and girls.

Ticket may be purchased online at www.soroptimistventura.eventbrite.com .

YMCA Healthy Kids Day April 30th

Marine Sightings – April 2016

Firefighters respond to gas line rupture

On April 12, just before 9am, a private contractor was performing work on a driveway on Inspiration Way (just above Poli Street) when he inadvertently broke through a 2” main gas line that feeds 6 complexes with a backhoe. Firefighters arrived and evacuated a total of four homes and sheltered-in–place a total of 14 other homes. Ventura Police responded in addition to the Ventura Street department and closed Poli between Ann St. and Kalorama.

A specialized team from the Gas Company arrived and had to breach a new section of concrete in an attempt to gain access to the gas main from the supply side. Fire personnel shut all utilities down on the block and extended hose protection lines for fear of the gas source igniting.

The gas line was accessed and successfully shut down.

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