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Helping our nation’s senior heroes

There are more than 1.3 million World War II veterans over the age of 85.

According to Census data, more than 20 million Americans are veterans of foreign wars. Roughly half of those veterans (9.2 million) are aged 65 and older, including more than 1.3 million World War II veterans over the age of 85.

Though our nation’s heroes may have the gift of longevity, with more years often comes a greater strain on financial resources. If you or a loved one is a veteran, read on to learn about the variety of public and private benefits that can help you afford to remain independent, healthy, and secure.

Types of veterans’ benefits

Veterans’ benefits come in many forms—from cash grants and education assistance to home and community-based services. Eligibility for many programs depends upon the length and type of service, whether you incurred any service-related disability, and your household income. Many of the programs described below are available to veterans of all ages who qualify.

Veterans’ pensions are administered by the Veterans Administration (VA) and provide a monthly cash benefit to those 65 years of age or older or who are disabled at any age. The amount you receive depends on your income, number of dependents, and the program’s pension rate for the year of your application.

Disability payments are available to veterans who suffered an injury/disease or worsening of such a condition while on active duty. Extra compensation is available if you have very severe disabilities or limb loss, dependents, and/or a seriously disabled spouse.

Financial aid for education is also available through the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) or Post-9/11 GI Bill to help pay for tuition, books, fees, examinations, and housing expenses for graduate and undergraduate degrees, and vocational and technical training.

The Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits are two programs that provide financial help for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting. It also helps pay for care in assisted living facilities. This benefit is only available to those with a wartime service record (and their spouses) who are aged 65 and older and who also qualify for a VA basic pension.

The Choice Program can help you find health care services in your community, as an option to bypass waiting for appointments with the VA or traveling a long distance to get to a VA facility.

VA Blind Rehabilitation Services help you remain independent by providing services if you are blind or have low vision. The services can take place in an inpatient or outpatient facility or in your home, based on level of need.

The loans for veterans Arizona help members of the military secure mortgage loans to purchase a home. The VA administers a guaranteed mortgage loan through an approved lender. A VA loan will protect you if you end up having trouble paying your mortgage, as the VA will guarantee repayment of the loan to your lender.

Caregivers of veterans may also be eligible to receive help through programs such as:

Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) services, which enable the veteran to participate in supervised, safe activities outside of the home, giving the caregiver an opportunity to take time for self-care.

Respite care of up to 30 days per year to provide a break from their caregiving duties.

All the programs are included in BenefitsCheckUp.org, NCOA’s free and confidential online benefits screening tool.

Completing the BenefitsCheckUp® questionnaire will show whether you or a loved one are likely eligible for the programs, and provide information on where to get assistance with your application, including through the Veterans ON-line APPlication (also called VONAPP), a regional VA office, or the VA toll-free helpline at 1-800-827-1000.

Countywide Robotics Competition held in Ventura

Robots being manipulated by student designers and programmers attempting to score points in the robotics competition. Photos by Richard Lieberman

by Richard Lieberman

On Saturday, October 27, at Holy Cross school in downtown Ventura the Ventura County Office of Education sponsored a VEX Robotics competition for middle and high school students from Ventura County. There were 24 teams and more than 150 students competing. The contest is now in its fourth year.

Local Ventura County students, relying on guidance from teachers and industry specialists, have designed, and built robots. The robots have been designed to score the most possible points in qualification matches and skills challenges.

John Tarkany Coordinator at the Ventura Office of Education has been responsible for all of student competitions in Ventura County. He has had responsibility for Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, and the Science Fair. “We saw robotics were taking off and both the engineering and programming to build them.” Tarkany said. “We started looking at various robotic competitions and there were two that stood out First Robotics and Vex Robotics.” He added.

Students in the competition are required to program a robot and drive a robot in the competition. Each robot competing costs around $2000 to build program and compete. Each team also pays a fee to come to the event.

The first 30 seconds of each match in the contest is autonomous mode where the robot is programmed to perform a function. “I have been really impressed with some of the pre-programmed tasks.” Said Tarkany. The programming requires the robots to pick up balls and throw them at a flag and knock it over for points.

Competing teams were from grade levels from six to twelfth grades. Winning teams will compete in a statewide competition in March or April of next year.

Volunteers Needed at 2nd Annual Ventura River to the Sea Coastal Cleanup, Nov. 17

A young volunteer uses a customized bucket and trash picker at last year’s Ventura River to the Sea Coastal Cleanup.

On Saturday, November 17 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) and the Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will team up to host the 2nd Annual Ventura River to the Sea Coastal Cleanup. Community volunteers are invited to participate in a large-scale trash clean up in the Ventura River estuary near the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. at the bend in the Ventura-Ojai Bike Path near the end of Shoreline Dr. in Ventura. Look for the Ventura Land Trust and Surfrider Foundation pop-up canopies. Volunteers will be escorted into the estuary to clean and clear the area with the goal being to remove as much trash as possible before the rainy season begins and washes it onto nearby beaches and into the ocean.

All volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring a refillable water bottle. Tools, gloves and instruction will be provided. Volunteers younger than 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

To RSVP, go to venturalandtrust.org/events and, for more information, call the VLT office: (805) 643-

Ventura Land Trust (formerly Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 600 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 90 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. Ventura Land Trust’s offices are located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit www.venturalandtrust.org.

9th Annual Castro Family & Ventura Police Community Foundation Toy Drive

From the 5th Annual Castro Family Toy Drive and still going strong.

The Ventura Police Department announces the 9th Annual Castro Family & Ventura Police Community Foundation Toy Drive. The community is invited to donate unwrapped toys or gift cards for the patients and siblings of the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Ventura County Medical Center. Donations, for ages infant to 18 years, will be accepted at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Drive Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm from November 19 to December 14, 2018.

In 2008, Corey Castro was seven years old and was treated for Gorham’s Disease, a rare bone disease. As a patient, he was asked if he wanted to pick out a toy from the center’s toy box. Corey discovered the toy box needed more toys and asked his family if they could help fill the box for other children receiving treatment at the center. The Castro Family in partnership with the Ventura Police Community Foundation worked to make that dream a reality and has since provided toys and gifts to more than 1,500 patients and their siblings. The effort raises awareness about the only pediatric oncology and hematology center in Ventura County. Ventura Police Officers join the Castro Family in hosting a holiday party for the children and their families and help pass out gifts with Santa and Ventura Police K9s.

“Bringing joy to the brave junior crime fighters at VCMC is a humbling experience. Many of these children are fighting for their lives. We appreciate this opportunity to partner with the Castro Family and our community in providing a special evening for the children and their siblings during the holiday season,” said Commander Sam Arroyo.

Toy Drop Off Location: Ventura Police Department, 1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura, 93003

Date/Time Toy Drop Off: November 19 – December 14, Monday – Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Ten bed shelter provides a safe place to live

Typically a ribbon cutting ceremony is to announce the opening of a new business. Photos by Michael Gordon

On Nov. 25, a ribbon cutting was held at the Turning Point Foundation Our Place Safe Haven located at 536 E. Thompson.

Safe Haven is the first stop on the road to recovery for mental health issues and homelessness. This 10 bed shelter provides a safe place to live where basic needs are met and the most vulnerable receive mental health treatment, assistance establishing a stable source of income, and help obtaining transitional housing with the goal of permanent housing.  Drop in services include hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, phone messages and mail delivery and case management.

We asked Jason Meek, Executive Director for the Turning Point Foundation “why, after being open for many years did they have a ribbon cutting?”

He answered “Typically a ribbon cutting ceremony is to announce the opening of a new business. So why then would Turning Point have this kind of ceremony for a program that has been in existence since the 90’s? The simple answer is this: It is symbolic. The new renovation provided Turning Point additional capacity to shelter and deliver vital services to our community’s most vulnerable members.  It demonstrates that we hear their concerns and are deeply committed to addressing their needs.”

https://turningpointfoundation.org/housing/ 805-652-000.

2018 NAMI Walk

by Jill Forman

First, there was the rain Friday night. Not something you plan for in Southern California for outdoor events. The NAMI Walk, the group’s biggest fundraiser and celebration of determination and hope, was the next day…

6:30 a.m., Ventura Pier parking lot. There are puddles but the rain has stopped. Trucks, boxes, tables, supplies, and people all pouring in. Volunteers who believe in the cause of de-stigmatizing mental illness and advocating for care. Many have t-shirts with the name of their walking teams and heartfelt sayings about the sorrow and hope for the person, the families, and society at large.

NAMI Mommies (that’s Jill in back row in the middle) walked the walk. Photo by Bernie Goldstein

My group is the “NAMI Mommies” and our t-shirt says, “Providing Support with a Mother’s Love.” We met in a NAMI class for families, and formed out own support group. It really helps to have others for education and emotional assistance.

But back to the Pier, it appears to be chaos but there are a couple of intrepid women with clipboards and maps and it slowly gets sorted out. Areas for organizations, information, snacks, merchandise, and so on are marked off. Tables, many many tables, need to be set up. Portable awnings, chairs, signs…everyone just sort of picks up a job and a couple of helpers. I find myself doing tablecloths with some students from Ventura and Moorpark College – the plastic clothes need to be separated, placed, and taped down. The enthusiasm and energy of the students makes it fun, and it’s interesting to hear why they are here. One young woman wants to start learning about social service agencies and meeting people for networking. Student nurses are learning a lot more than textbook information by interacting with all sorts of folks who have shown up. Family members of the mentally ill want to show their gratitude to NAMI for the free classes, groups and information it gives.

More people show up, some to walk, some to help out, some out of curiosity: “I saw all this activity and want to know what it is about.” Organizations, caregiving companies, social service groups, vendors, all come to claim and set up their spaces. Some of the table and chair setups have to be rearranged, but it all gets done. Within a couple of hours a waterlogged parking lot and a ton of stuff has been transformed into a colorful, functional event. More students show up to work at the booths for registration, team captain pickup, and t-shirt handouts. I hang out with the team captain people, and it’s so much fun to talk to every group leader, ask them who they are and why they are there, comment on their clever team names and sayings, and thank them for coming.

My team shows up; I get my cute t-shirt. There are speeches by officials and participants, and the Walk begins.

NCL presents annual fundraiser Nov. 11

The women and their daughters volunteer as a team.

National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) Ventura County Chapter’s Annual Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, November 11th, from 12 -4pm.  There is just one detail that is missing…the location!

The NCL Inc. Ventura County Chapter’s 2018-19  President, Soraya Thenoz, who grew up in the Provence region in the south of France, is the inspiration behind “Fete en Blanc” (Party in White) as this year’s fundraising theme.

As with tradition, the location will not be divulged to the invitees until the morning of the event.  And all must be elegantly attired in white! Historically, the invited guests arrive to an outdoor setting, with their own food and table set-up; and simply enjoy their time together. And then, at the close of the gathering, each guest packs up what they brought and nothing is left behind…not a trace of what transpired…that is, other than the lingering memories.

“There will be some variations to the logistics of our event” explained Soraya.  “For instance, our fundraising committee will coordinate the tables and the food. But for sure, the focus is on enjoying each other’s company while raising money for the philanthropies which we serve. Oh yes…and we will all be decked out in white!”

Established in Los Angeles in 1925 and incorporated in 1958, the nonprofit has more than 250 chapters in 27 states. The women and their daughters (grades 7th-12th who are referred to as “Ticktockers”) volunteer as a team within the community.  The Ventura County Chapter, which is part of District 3, is currently comprised of approximately 100 Patronesses (mothers) and their daughters who reside in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Ojai.

Some of the 30+ philanthropies that the National Charity League, Inc., Ventura County Chapter serves are Children’s Services Auxiliary, Convalescent Hospitals, Douglas Penfield School, Food Share, Special Olympics and Ventura County Medical Center.  100% of the proceeds from our fundraiser “Fete en Blanc” will directly benefit all of our philanthropies.

In addition to serving the community, the girls partake in monthly meetings and workshops on their own; and elect class officers in each grade level.  The classes are usually much smaller than in their own schools, thus providing a more enriching and nurturing environment to grow leadership skills. An atmosphere of women empowering young women to be strong and compassionate leaders in the community!

Our 2018-19 Membership Drive is now open to mothers with daughters who are currently in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. For inquiries about joining, please email [email protected].

2018 Mayor’s Arts Awards Recipients announced

While at Montauk, Long Island, NY with East Coast Carol and West Coast Jonell Arts Patron winner Patti Channer kept up with Ventura’s art scene by reading the Breeze.

The City of Ventura’s Mayor is pleased to announce the winners of the 14th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. These recipients will be honored at a reception on Thurs. Nov. 8, from 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Museum of Ventura County. The public is invited to attend as the honorees are recognized for their achievements and contributions.

The winners include a steadfast patron of the arts; a 2018 Artist of Distinction for Ventura’s ArtWalk; an entrepreneur who coordinated the Thomas Fire Quilt Project; a leader in the arts who has brought a fresh artistic perspective to the Museum of Ventura County; an inclusive educator whose love for the arts is contagious; an emerging artist whose photographs are diverse and timeless and a student artist who received a full scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet at the young age of 14.

The 2018 Mayor’s Arts Award winners are:

Arts Patron: Patti Channer, Artist in the Community: John White, Creative Entrepreneur: Kelly Stevens, Arts Leader: Elena Brokaw, Arts Educator: Stefoni Rossiter,

Emerging Artist: Broc Ellinger, and Student Artist: Jasmine Duncan.

The City of Ventura Mayor’s Arts Awards was established in 2005 and recognizes the contributions to the cultural community by city residents, artists, educators, organizations, and business leaders.

Please help locate missing child Kevin Martinez

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for help from the public to locate a missing teenager. 17-year-old Kevin Martinez was reported missing on December 14, 2017 from Ventura.

According to authorities, there was a recent sighting of Kevin in Ventura in June of this year.

Kevin is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Kevin is asked to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) or the Ventura Police Department at 1-805-650-8010.

Ventura College Foundation introduces Tuition-Free VC Promise Program

Samuel Ponce just started his first semester as a transfer student at Cal State Northridge.

At its September 26 meeting, Ventura College Foundation board of directors approved funding for a second-year Ventura College (VC) Promise program where Ventura College students can have tuition costs of their second year of academic studies paid for by the foundation. A first-year VC Promise is already in place.

“Our first-year VC Promise began in 2007. It was the first of its kind in the state and a model for other California community colleges,” says Anne King, Ventura College Foundation executive director.

In addition, the foundation, through private donations and proceeds from its Weekend Marketplace, will cover supplemental fees for all VC Promise students.

Because of the new public-private funding, an estimated 1,500 students will now benefit from the expanded first-year VC Promise.

The second-year VC Promise will begin in the 2019-2020 academic year. Students will receive second-year VC Promise support on a first come, first served basis and must meet specific academic and career planning criteria to qualify. An estimated 200 students will be served by adding the second-year Promise program.

“The goal is to remove the financial barriers that keep students from pursuing a college education,” says Dr. Damon Bell, president of Ventura College. “With 70 percent of our students living in low or moderately low-income households, tuition costs make college out of reach for many.”

“This collaborative effort between the Ventura College Foundation and Ventura College will help increase student completion of certificates and degrees,” says Dr. Greg Gillespie, chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. “Students will then be prepared for transition into careers and transfer programs.”

According to the Ventura College Foundation, VC Promise students are 70 percent more likely to earn a degree or certificate in four years. One example is Samuel Ponce, a 2018 Ventura College graduate and former VC Promise student. He just started his first semester as a transfer student at Cal State Northridge.

VC Promise is also available to veterans, active duty military, and DACA students. For more about VC Promise and the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VCgiving.org, or call 805-289-6461.

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. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Anne Paul King at (805) 289-6461 or [email protected].