Weston is a smart and caring 14-year-old foster child from Columbia.

by Carol Leish

Sueanne Chadbourne is a lawyer who does personal injury, governmental defense and social services work. Her husband, Stephen, does operations/distributions for a medical device company. William (Weston) is staying with their family here in Ventura. They also have their own 16-year-old son.

Sueanne said, “Recently my family welcomed a smart and caring 14-year-old foster child from Columbia. Weston, who doesn’t have a family of his own, will be with us in our home for five weeks. As an older kid, his chances of finding an adoptive family in Columbia are slim to none. We are hoping that this visit with us will give him the opportunity to meet parents who will love and care for him. He is staying with us and he is hoping to meet prospective parents here who will nurture and support him. He traveled here with Kidsave, a nonprofit organization that helps older kids who need families find their forever homes.”

“Kidsave’s Summer Miracles Programs gives older orphans from oversees the chance for a family.” Their website: www.kidsave.org, also says, “Kids travel to the United States for a memorable 5 week stay. While the kids are here, they learn about the U.S. culture, attend summer camp, and experience life with an American family.”

“With your support, our innovative programs both here and abroad give older kids in foster care a voice and a choice in who they get to know and who will ultimately become their forever family. And, with an estimated 8 million children living in institutional care worldwide, and more than 440,000 in foster care here in the U.S., the need has never been greater.”

Sueanne Chadbourne emphasized that, “Weston has a great temperament. He is looking for a new start. He is great with little kids and great with pets, too. He is sweet and well-behaved. He is definitely mature for his age of only being 14 years old.”

“He is polite, loving, and and a funny young man that loves being outside. He is a great bike rider and loves soccer and basketball. He hopes to become a lawyer when he grows up. He has so much to offer and is a joy to be around. He’s a special kid who deserves to be in a loving family that can support his every step of life.”

Those interested in giving Weston a chance to grow in a supportive home, please contact either, Lauren Reicher Gordon (Sr. VP and Director Family Visit Program), at (310) 642-7201; or, Madeline Thrachtenberg (Summer Miracles Assistant Program Manager), at (310) 241-3083. Or email either of them at: [email protected]. By becoming an adoptive family, you will be giving Weston the chance to thrive in a loving and supportive home.

Welcome to Summer. Here’s a roubust CAPS congratulations to all 2021 elementary, middle, high school and college graduates and their families throughout Ventura. CAPS Media was thrilled to be part of the celebrations by covering and livestreaming the ceremonies from Buena High, Ventura High, El Camino High, Foothill High, Pacific High and VACE. The extensive productions held in the Buena, Ventura and Ventura College football statiums required all-hands-on-deck efforts and long hours for all CAPS Crew members. Following the productions, CAPS received a kind note from Marieanne Quiroz, Communications Coordinator for VUSD, “Thanks to your CAPS team for the incredible work work in making our graduations so special! We could not have done it with out them!”

Immediately following the graduations the work continued when the entire CAPS Media crew pitched-in to produce a set of special videos for Mayor Sofia Rubalcava’s recent “State of the City” update. The videos included individual messages by the City’s seven Council Members (Sofia Rubalcava, Doug Halter, Mike Johnson, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Jim Friedman, Lorrie Brown and Joe Schroeder). The council member messages were recorded on location in their respective districts with each member sharing perspectives on the past, present and future of the city. A second video featured thirteen City department directors sharing personal messages on the past year’s unprecedented challenges and insights into plans for future for their respecrive departments.

“CAPS is a valued and appreciated partner. Thank you for your talents, and contributions in greatly enhancing the City’s ability to share its stories” convayed in a note from Heather Sumagaysay, Public Information Officer for the City of Ventura.

The complete presentation will be repeated (broadcast and streamed) on CAPS Media Channel 6 throughout the month and the individual videos with the City Council members and City Staff will air and stream interstititally on Channel 6 and 15 as well as included on the CAPS Media website at capsmedia.org/videos/.

Recently the CAPS Media Executive Board met to discuss various issues including the question of when to reopen the CAPS Media Center to CAPS Members and the public. Due to the pandemic the CAPS Media Center has been closed for the past 16 months. The board members discussed numerous considerations including the encouraging vaccination rates in Ventura County, the State and County guidelines for public buildings, the recent emergence of the Delta variant, and potential surges and decided to continue with the cautious position of keeping the CAPS Media Center closed to the public for the next few months.

Despite the CAPS Media Center being closed to Members and the public, the CAPS Media staff continues to work throughout the pandemic shutdown. CAPS crews are in the community and in the CAPS studio every week recording and producing multiple informational and educational and supervise the broadcast of numerous meetings at City Hall including City Council meetings. The CAPS Crews have covered th County COVID updates as well as videos for County Fire, Health, Public Information and other departments.

At the same time CAPS Media Center staff continue to broadcast and stream television programming on Channel 6, Channel 15 and online. Plus, CAPS radio – KPPQ 104.1FM,continues broadcasting and streaming a vast variety of engaging original and acquired radio programs. Go to capsmedia.org for more information.

All of us at CAPS Media encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The sooner we are all vaccinated the sooner we can open the CAPS Media Center to our Members and the public. Our thanks to everyone for continuing to Stay Safe and Stay Strong during these challenging times.

Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo came to the U.S. from Mexico.

The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year. 

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships. 

“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. 

Scholarships were awarded in all academic fields which included STEM, art, health and liberal arts. Recipients came from nearly every city in Ventura County including Ventura (75), Oxnard (65), Santa Paula (27), Camarillo (13), Fillmore (8) and Port Hueneme (6). 

A recipient of two scholarship awards this year, Bryan Rodriguez and his older sisters are the first in his family to attend college. His parents immigrated to America to provide a better life for their family.  

Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo, 18, came to the U.S. from Mexico at nine with her mom seeking a better future. “I was taught the value of education and hard work,” says Pérez Arroyo who attends Ventura College full time and works part time.

Pérez Arroyo knew she wanted to be a pilot since she was 12. She excelled in math and science throughout her schooling and is now studying engineering at Ventura College. 

Even though in-person award celebrations aren’t allowed due to COVID restrictions, the Ventura College Foundation is still virtually celebrated the 2021 scholarship awardees, the donors who made the awards possible, and the sponsors of the Scholarship Awarding Week of Celebration. Videos and the 2021 scholarship awards program can be viewed at https://venturacollegefoundation.org/awardevents2021/. 

The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors. They include Edison International, Miracle Mile Advisors, Citizens Business Bank, Searle Creative and Bank of the Sierra. 

For more about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org. 

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset.

Visit visitventuraca.com/contact/staff to learn more about the Visit Ventura team.

The Pacific Coast Business Times has once again honored Visit Ventura with their “Central Coast Best Place to Work” award.

This marks the fourth year in a row that Visit Ventura has been selected as a “Best Place to Work,” but, suffice to say, 2020 was not a conventional work year.

“It was a year of adjusting and readjusting, again and again,” said Marlyss Auster, Visit Ventura President & CEO. “There were some stressful times, but through it all our team maintained the same upbeat attitude they’ve always had. And we never lost sight of our overall mission to do the next right thing to help our community. Thank you, Pacific Coast Business Times, for kindly honoring us. And thank you, wonderful Ventura, for working alongside us to do that next right thing.”

Through creative thinking and various award-winning campaigns, Visit Ventura helps spearhead a tourism effort that generates close to $300 million in annual visitor spending and, equally important, creates roughly 2,600 jobs in Ventura. Perhaps less known, tourism’s dollars help bolster Ventura’s General Fund, which, among other things, helps fund the city’s fire and police forces, build the city’s roads, and finance the city’s schools. Now more than ever, tourism will play a critical role in the recovery of the economy — from the national front to local hometowns.

“We all know how hard the pandemic has been on Ventura’s economy,” said Auster. “And tourism will be the economic driver that not only sees Ventura to its feet, but sees Ventura thrive. Our amazing team will continue to work hard to see that happen.”

The “Best Place to Work” awards began in 2016. They represent feedback across an organizational structure and were quickly embraced by the community thus increasing their prestige. Workplace factors such as compensation, paid time off, community involvement, and overall corporate culture are considered.

Aurora Loss with scholarship winner Vanessa Apodaca.

Ventura College Foundation, which provides financial support to students and programs of Ventura College, received $184,105 from the estate of long-time Ventura College supporter Aurora Loss who passed away in April 2020 at age 102. Loss has a 20-year history of giving to Ventura College Foundation to fund scholarships for Ventura College nursing students. 

Loss’ donation is divided equally with $92,052 designated for the establishment of the Aurora Loss Scholarship Fund endowment and $92,052 to the college’s nursing department for the purchase of medical training equipment. The scholarships will be managed and awarded through the Ventura College Foundation. 

Loss grew up on a farm in a mining town in Montana. An independent and career-driven woman, she attended Billings Business College and soon was employed in the engineering industry and as a government administrator during WWII.

Her career included working at the Pentagon. While in Washington D.C., she became ill and was hospitalized. Doctors minimalized her symptoms but she received the support of a nurse who advocated for her. Loss believed the nurse helped save her life. She never forgot the nurse’s kindness. When Loss eventually relocated to California, she found an opportunity to reciprocate by supporting Ventura College’s nursing students with scholarships and program support.

Dr. Sandra Melton, director of the college’s School of Nursing & Allied Health, had the opportunity to have lunch with Loss on several occasions and to take her on a tour of the nursing school.

Currently, 151 students are enrolled in the Ventura College two-year nursing program. The program normally enrolls up to 200 students, but the pandemic temporarily limited the number of enrollments. The students use life-like manikins (also known as patient simulators) in the learning process. These manikins are computer controlled and simulate breathing, life-like sounds, heartbeats, pulse and other bodily functions. As a tribute to Loss’ generosity, one of the manikins is being named, “Auntie LaLa” in her memory. 

“The manikins allow students to use their critical thinking skills to perform patient assessments and administer patient interventions in a safe environment,” says Melton. 

Melton says her department currently uses three high fidelity adult, pediatric and birthing simulators and is considering adding a more advanced wireless child simulator with Loss’ donation. The department will also purchase additional medical equipment with the funds. “It’s important that students have access to practice with the same equipment that they will use in local hospitals,” she says. “We’re always updating our program with the latest technology.” 

The nursing program is one of the most expensive on campus. Students must purchase textbooks, uniforms and medical supplies such as stethoscopes, and pay for drug testing, CPR certification and licensing exams. “Scholarships help offset some of these costs,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. 

The Ventura College nursing program enjoys a 100% hiring rate for those graduates seeking employment with the majority of graduating students accepting positions locally. “The generous donations from Aurora Loss will support the degree completion of our nursing students,” says Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans who is also a registered nurse. 

For more information about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.

Kids & Families Together on the campus of Ventura Charter School

June 7, 2021, was the culmination of a year-long project by the 3rd grade classes at Ventura Charter School of Arts & Global Education (VCS). Teachers, Flow Hansmeier and Emily Noel worked with their students on a year-long “Peace Project”. During the first half of the year, students interviewed (via Zoom) various individuals from organizations within the community asking the question, “How do you bring peace into the world?”

As part of this project, the students interviewed Kids & Families Together (K&FT)’s Co-Founder Faith Friedlander, LMFT in October of last year. Faith, an adoptee herself, explained how K&FT helps children, many who are adopted or in foster care, along with their families, though counseling programs and support services and various resource events during the year.

As a way to wrap up the school year, the students wanted to find a way to give back and help others in the community so they selected one of the individuals/organizations they had interviewed during the year. The students chose to support K&FT’s annual school supply event hosted for Ventura County Foster/Resource, Kinship and Adoptive Families who are working in programs with K&FT.

During the month of May, the 3rd graders at VCS established a “School Supply Drive” and promoted the event throughout the entire K – 8 campus by making posters and talking with the other classes. On Monday June 7th, Carrie McAuliffe, Heart 2 Heart Program Manager, and Amy Huot, Outreach Manager, with K&FT paid a visit to the school’s campus, to thank them and celebrate their amazing success! Students helped to load all the school supplies that were collected into vehicles to be taken back to the K&FT offices in preparation for the annual August “School Supply Gift Away Event”. Their school supply drive was such a success that the amount of supplies collected filled up two entire cars! Kids & Families Together would like to sincerely thank the students, staff and families of Ventura Charter School for their wonderful and generous support. And we hope they all have a fun and fantastic summer!

Kids & Families Together (K&FT) is a nonprofit that has been serving foster/resource, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County since 2000. K&FT works with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT also works with caregivers who need specialized education, support, and strategies to help raise safe, healthy, nurtured children that thrive.

“Modern dance is an investigation of movement from the inside out.”

On Saturday, July 10, and Tuesday, July 13, danah bella (it’s spelled this way), Director of the BFA Dance program at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University will teach master classes for both dancers and dance teachers at NAMBA Performing Arts Space.

“Modern dance is an investigation of movement from the inside out,” states bella. “This class encourages efficient use of alignment and technique while exploring full bodied movement with an emphasis on strength, breath and dynamics.” danah was named one of Baltimore Sun’s 25 Women to Watch in 2018 and just recently received the Maryland Dance Education Association’s 2021 Higher Education Dance Educator of the Year Award.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this level of dance education to our local community,” said Cathy Butter, Dance Liaison at NAMBA Performing Arts Space.

In addition, on July 18 danah will teach a master class for local dance teachers utilizing Functional Awareness® (FA); an approach to embodied anatomy through reflective practice to enhance our understanding of movement function, facilitate ease in body action, and improve movement skills.  For more information about FA: https://functionalawareness.org/

Classes will be held at NAMBA Performing Arts Space, 47 S Oak St. in Historic Downtown Ventura. Cost for individual classes is $25. To sign up visit NambaArts.com or call (805) 648-9250.

danah bella, is the artistic director of d a n a h b e l l a DanceWorks, a modern dance company focused on reclaiming evocative movement as social practice. She is an award-winning choreographer who has performed & presented her work throughout the country and abroad. danah has taught workshops and has been artist in residence in festivals and universities throughout the United States.

NAMBA Performing Arts Space is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in historic Downtown Ventura with a mission to provide an intimate venue to inspire and develop interdisciplinary art projects with a creative emphasis on dance, music, theater, writing and audio-visual arts.