Category Archives: Home Page Links

Project Understanding staff head out in the storm to help the unhoused

On Sunday evening February 4^,during torrential downpour Project Understanding Pantry Manager Michael Rodrigues and pantry driver Matt Maxfield went out into the community looking for some of our unhoused clients. Michael stated, “we are here to help the underserved and they need us” , Michael and Matt loaded up the van with items that were needed, Tarps, rain jackets, warm clothes, socks, blankets, sleeping bags, pet food, pet blankets and some groceries.

They were able to hand out these needed items to 18 unhoused individuals and 3 dogs and 2 cats. Project Understanding has served the community since 1977. We are thankful for our staff and their dedication to Ventura County. To find out more about how you can help visit us at www.projectunderstanding.org or call 805-652-1326

Pallet is committed to working on ending unsheltered homelessness

Elizabeth Rugg Pallet Community Development Manager and Ted Sweeny representative for Pallet in front of a Pallet shelter.

by Patricia Schallert

On January 25th, The City of Ventura hosted a tour of two pallet shelters. Demonstrating an innovative model with proven results, Elizabeth Rugg stated that “Pallet shelters are cost-effective, rapid to install and have the capacity to serve people displaced by global conflict, disasters or chronic homelessness.”

Stated Patrick Diller “While finding suitable land for shelter villages can seem like a complex and challenging process, it is not impossible. By making a commitment to ending unsheltered homelessness, it is possible to find solutions that benefit unhoused individuals and the community as a whole.”

Pallet living shelters represent more than just a practical solution for housing the unhoused; it embodies a larger vision of community, sustainability, and social responsibility. According to Ted Sweeney, a Pallet representative, “by working together to build and maintain shelters, individuals form supportive networks based on mutual respect and shared experiences.The importance of collaborative efforts within the Ventura community cannot be overstated. It includes volunteers, organizations, and the unhoused themselves. This fosters a sense of collective responsibility and empowerment, where individuals actively participate in creating solutions to address homelessness.”

The Pallet organization recognizes the inherent dignity and rights of unhoused individuals. By providing safe and secure shelter, it affirms their right to adequate housing and challenges social stigmas associated with homelessness.

Social networks and support systems can easily be created through Pallet living shelters and can offer encouragement, and mutual aid to unhoused individuals. Coordinating efforts with law-enforcement, mental health services, medical services, code enforcement, social workers and sanitation while providing emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging.

In addition to the basic shelter provided by Pallet living shelters supplementary services can enhance the well-being and sustainability of unhoused communities along with access to healthcare services, including medical clinics, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment.

The Sleeper (70sq ft) and the EnSuite 120sq ft. showed two fully-built shelters with industry-leading design features such as a mono-pitch roof, and a smooth exterior and interior panel. The Sleeper houses one or two, and the EnSuite includes in-unit hygiene facilities. Pallet shelters were designed by people who had lived experience in homelessness .

Residential energy efficient windows, locking doors and peepholes, smooth interior walls, easily accessed interior lighting, and climate control offer comfort and privacy. Interior storage and space allows residents to keep possessions and pets, while the customizable shelving system and freestanding bed and desk are designed for simple modification – making each shelter a personalized space to recharge.

These pallet shelters can be manufactured inexpensively, deployed and assembled with urgency, and act as a short-term solution for cities like Ventura to aid their unhoused communities—all while providing comfort for residents. Units can be easily moved by forklift or disassembled and stored, preventing the possibility of becoming costly, long-term housing that isn’t dignified.

There is no one solution to end homelessness. Ventura, like many communities have their own specific needs. While Pallet villages coupled with supportive services are a successful model, there are many other strategies to address the homelessness crisis. Working closely with cities across the country, Pallet realize communities want to find the right solutions and “know our expertise and learnings from deploying over 100 shelter villages could help them drive change.” By connecting village residents to housing navigation, job assistance, and a stable food source right where they live, unhoused individuals can start on the path to permanent housing.

Soroptimist 17th Annual STOP Human Trafficking

Unknown participant with Sara Pelaez, Betty Wright, Irma Heffner and County DA Erik Nasarenko.

Soroptimist International sponsored the 17^th Annual STOP Human Trafficking Community Walk and Speaker Panel on Saturday, January 13, at Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa Street, in downtown Ventura.

The event started with an awareness walk down Main Street and followed with a speaker panel — Dr. Anthony Walls, co-founder of Healthcare for All; Alia Azariah, Survivor/Advocate from Safe House Project; Detective Kellyn King, Simi Valley PD, Major Crimes Department; and Sandy Esparza, Survivor/Advocate from Zoe International.

Social service agencies were on site with additional information.

The four Ventura County Soroptimist International clubs—SI Oxnard, SI Ventura, SI Camarillo, and SI Channel Islands continue a “Dream Big” community awareness campaign with digital signage on the 101 Freeway for January: National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. The goal is to raise a new and/or renewed awareness about the heinous crime of sex and labor trafficking that happens throughout Ventura County.

For more information go to www.stoptraffickingventuracounty.org

VenturaWaterPure is paving the way for a sustainable future

VenturaWaterPure is now running pipes into the ocean. Photos by Steve Mimiaga Project Manager

by Gina Dorrington Ventura Water General Manager

The City of Ventura is developing a sustainable, drought-proof water supply with VenturaWaterPure. This program includes designing and constructing new water infrastructure and upgrading existing wastewater facilities. Last month, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Ventura Water’s facilities to celebrate progress on VenturaWaterPure, at the ocean outfall construction site, which is a vital component of the City’s planned purified recycled water program.

VenturaWaterPure will recover, treat, and reuse water currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary, creating a new, local water supply that doesn’t depend on rainfall. Once fully operational, VenturaWaterPure will provide up to 20 percent of the City’s water.

Water is a highly precious resource that we cannot afford to waste. Programs that recycle and reuse water, such as VenturaWaterPure, are becoming the trusted solution to protect against drought and water shortages.

Communities such as San Diego, Orange County, and Monterey are advance-treating recycled water for drinking water purposes. Neighboring communities such as Carpinteria, Calabasas, and Pismo Beach are in the process of designing and developing their reuse programs. We expect to see more programs in the future, as the State Water Board recently published new regulations to expand the scope of water reuse projects throughout California.

While it provides long-term water supply benefits, VenturaWaterPure was developed in response to a 2012 legal settlement with the Chumash, Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Heal the Bay. The settlement requires the City to divert a portion of its treated water away from the Santa Clara River Estuary by 2025 and find a beneficial reuse for this diverted recycled water.

Over the past decade, Ventura Water explored several project alternatives to overcome its water and wastewater challenges, including expanding its recycled water irrigation system (purple pipe), sending water to the City of Oxnard’s Purification Facility, building a pipeline to United Water’s Spreading Grounds for groundwater recharge, and developing an Ocean Desalination Plant to supplement the City’s water supply.

VenturaWaterPure emerges as the sole financially viable solution in navigating Ventura’s evolving water landscape, aligning with our legal obligations and effectively tackling the city’s long-term water supply challenges. Our dedicated team is diligently exploring avenues to mitigate the impact of costs, seeking potential savings in program design, and pursuing state and federal assistance.

VenturaWaterPure has already secured $18 million in grant funding and an additional $173 million in low-interest financing through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Staff has applied for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Large Scale Water Recycling Program, which could potentially result in an additional $83 million for the program.

As stewards of public funds and the future sustainability of water resources, the City and Ventura Water are resolute in our commitment to manage program costs responsibly. We are dedicated to providing our residents with consistently safe, sustainable, and high-quality water and wastewater services. Through collaborative efforts, we seek to balance financial prudence and our obligation to ensure Ventura’s flourishing water future.

Join us at an upcoming City Council or Water Commission meeting to learn more about the proposed next steps for VenturaWaterPure. Ventura’s City Council meetings occur on Tuesday nights at 5:00 p.m., and Water Commission meetings occur monthly every 4th Monday at 5:30 p.m. For meeting details, agendas, and dates, please visit the City of Ventura’s website at Cityofventura.ca.gov.

For additional information regarding the VenturaWaterPure Program, visit VenturaWaterPure.net.

Spiking to success in the sand

Beach volleyball at Portside Ventura Harbor courts top row Greg, Holly, Chi, Eli, Josh, Kelly, Jason. Bottom row Jeanine, Kristen, Ashley, Andrew. And the dog is Drake!

by Patricia Schallert

Volleyball is an exciting sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It requires teamwork, coordination, and skill. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without letting it touch the ground. With its fast-paced action and strategic plays, volleyball offers a thrilling experience for both players and spectators alike.

Beach volleyball and court volleyball are two popular variations of the same sport, each possessing unique characteristics.

While beach volleyball and court volleyball share similar rules and objectives, their differences in playing surface, number of players per team, strategy/tactics employed, scoring systems used, and equipment requirements make each version distinct. Both types offer their unique challenges and require specific skill sets from athletes who participate. Whether it’s the thrill of jumping high for a spike on the court or diving into sand to save a ball during beach play – both forms provide an exciting experience for those passionate about this globally beloved sport.

Starting in February, 2023, a small private group of friends have been playing beach volleyball regularly. Prior to that, several of members of the team played at East Beach in Santa Barbara, while others had played pickup at the San Pedro courts in Ventura. When one team member moved to Portside Harbor Ventura, a small contingent started playing at the Portside courts and it has since grown! Kristen Brown, one of the members of the team, said “they typically like to play 3 vs 3, but with the limited (2) courts at Portside lately, they’ve been having full courts of 6 vs 6 or 5 vs 5, which isn’t ideal ,but they make it work.” There are no ‘sign ups’ per se as they are a privately organized group of friends who have a private messaging platform that they use.

Kristen further related, that the players range in age from 20’s to 60’s, but average age is mid-thirties. “They enjoy each other’s company and though food is not part of the game, sometimes they will have a BBQ or a potluck usually to celebrate a birthday of some event within their group.”

The team is mostly beginner to intermediate players, all improving their skills together! Some members have been playing volleyball since high school, others are just learning. “We’re out there to have fun and get better together!”

For this team, sides are picked informally. They are all close friends. If one team looks a little stacked, they might do some rearranging, but for the most part they just divide up naturally.

The courts are located at the very end of Navigator Dr.

Congratulating the Success of New Ventures at Portside Ventura Harbor

The arrival of Crave Gelato Kofi Bar last year enchanted locals with delicious drinks, gelato, pastries, and focaccia bread. Harbor Mart also became a local favorite with their extensive wine collection, impressive deli, and diverse snacks from around the world.

Upcoming Community Events:
As we step into the new year, Portside Ventura Harbor embraces a vibrant lineup of community events. Live jazz music every Sunday at Crave sets the tone for a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The community can anticipate monthly highlights, including Movie Night Under the Stars every third Friday and the Pop-Up Market every first and third Saturday. These events bring the Ventura community together, fostering memorable experiences for both residents and visitors.

Join us Sundays for Live Jazz at Crave and The Pop-Up’s Sweetheart Market on February 3rd at 10 am in the Portside Plaza!

CAREGIVERS Volunteers

Sonia S., Sharon L., Debbie and Pat M meeting for lunch.

My name is Debbie Lasley, the new Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for CAREGIVERS Volunteers Assisting the Elderly. After 15 years in management with the volunteer department at St. John’s Hospital in Camarillo, I took a career leap last September and joined the volunteer caregiving movement here in Ventura County. I joined Caregivers in September 2023.

My new role here is a dream come true and I’m making every effort to reach out share all the new and exciting ways to volunteer. Maintaining relationships are at the heart and soul of my commitment to coaching, training, interviewing and scheduling new and returning volunteers. I look forward to creating a fun and exciting environment working with people who are as committed as I am to serve our aging population. You may feel like I do that I get as much or more than I give from these experiences.

The benefits of volunteering help us age better ourselves. Giving to others can help you to find friends, connect with the community, learn new skills, and bring meaning and purpose to your life. It can also help protect your mental and physical health, reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.

With our Careworks Online system, volunteering is only a click away. Requests from seniors are added on a daily basis. You choose the date and time you are available to lend a hand with Transportation, Shop & Drop, Household Chores, Honey Do’s (small tasks), Organizing etc. (All the services we provide are non medical). It’s easier than ever, and I am happy to assist with an in person training to guide you through the process.

CAREGIVERS is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and it’s up to us to determine what the next 40 years looks like. We’re off to a good start going into 2024 and it should come as no surprise that the needs of these vulnerable populations we serve will require more commitment, more support. Please join us in inviting your friends and family to campion this important mission. We’ll be joining a national campaign, inviting donors to support us and encouraging new volunteers to give 40 hours over 40 weeks. Neighbors helping Neighbors is a simple idea that can change someone’s life, maybe even yours!

Please give me call at (805) 658-8530 or email [email protected].

City of Ventura’s Finance Department earns excellence in financial reporting award

“Financial transparency is the cornerstone of our work.”

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Ventura Finance Department for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year 2022.

“Financial transparency is the cornerstone of our work, and we’re thrilled to receive recognition from the GFOA for our commitment,” said Chief Financial Officer Greg Morley. “This award reflects the dedication of our year-round team, ensuring efficient operations to serve our residents.”

An impartial panel judged the report to meet the program’s high standards, demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to effectively communicate the city’s financial story and engage readers.

The Certificate of Achievement, the pinnacle of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, signifies a significant achievement by the city and its management.

Led by Accounting Manager Jason Williams, Treasury Manager Jennifer Rowe, and Senior General Ledger Accountant James Lewis, the project received special acknowledgment for the contributions of General Ledger Accountants Jodi Pinyo, Brenda Taylor, and Erwin Kosasih, and Senior Accountant Mary Hilke.

Celebrating the Autistic Mind Art Show Jan. 11-14

Artist Dylan C

Presented by the Autism Society Ventura County in association with Buenaventura Art Association

An Art Show featuring the works of 43 neurodiverse artists of all ages!

You are invited to the first Celebrating the Autistic Mind Art Show by Autism Society Ventura County. Art will be displayed at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E Main St. January 11-14, 11AM to 5 PM. Admission to the art show, exhibiting in the museum’s pavilion, is free.

In these works, I see inventiveness and a noticeable lack of traditional convention. What a precious gift it is to see art from those who (clinically) may think a different way. Like a trip to another culture, these works open us up to experience the vast array of human expression. As an artist, I can assure you that here you’ll enjoy some of the most liberated, imaginative art in Ventura County.

May this show broaden your own horizons to appreciate a different kind of thinking.

Artist Ed Terpening (Edterpening.com)

VCAAA Workforce Committee holding Job Fair

More than 50 businesses, nonprofit agencies, and public service organizations will be represented .

Older adults seeking employment can make plans to attend a Job Fair that will be held in tandem with the 2024 Wellness Fest that will take place at the Goebel Adult Community Center in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday, January 17.

The Workforce Committee of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council is putting on the Job Fair, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.

Employers who are confirmed to be at the event include:

America’s Job Center of California
Boys & Girls Club
City of Thousand Oaks
Conejo Valley Unified School District
County of Ventura
Villa Esperanza

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to our older-adult residents in Ventura County, and we’re thankful for the employers who will be partnering with us for this first-time event,” said William Nelson, chair of the VCAAA’s Workforce Committee. “It should be a day of meaningful connections and opportunities. We have a goal of helping employers create a thriving and inclusive workforce for all ages, and we think that there’s a real benefit when they hire an older adult who brings wisdom and experience to the job.”

The Wellness Fest is being put on by the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program, and more than 50 businesses, nonprofit agencies, and public service organizations will be represented, including the VCAAA.

For more information about the Job Fair or VCAAA programs, call (805) 477-7300, or visit vcaaa.org.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

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