Monica White, Food Share Ventura County’s President & CEO, has been named the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB). The appointment runs from October 2021 through May 2022. White has served for three years on the CAFB Board of Directors having previously served as Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Governance and Membership Committee.

CAFB, which was founded in 1995, works with 41 California-based member food banks to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to fight hunger across the state. The organization also works to increase access to CalFresh, California’s food stamp program; creates partnerships with the agriculture industry to secure excess produce and reduce food waste; and advocates for pro-food bank and anti-hunger policies at local, state, and federal levels.

Commenting on White’s appointment as chair, Stacia Hill Levenfeld, CEO of CAFB, said, “Monica’s leadership skills have made her an invaluable resource for our organization over the past difficult months as hunger has risen dramatically across the state and the country. I am delighted to be able to continue to draw on her expert counsel as we continue the fight to end hunger in California.”

White joined Food Share of Ventura County as President and CEO in 2017 after having previously served on the Food Share board. Upon taking the role of CEO, Monica led Food Share out of a period of financial challenges while responding to some of Ventura County’s most critical hunger-relief needs during the Thomas Fire and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, last year Food Share distributed more than 26 million pounds of food, providing more than 21.6 million meals to people in Ventura County – the largest amount of food ever distributed in the organization’s 43-year history, and nearly double the previous high of 13.5 million pounds in 2019.

Surgical robotics is one of the most rapidly growing and technologically

advanced areas of healthcare today, and Community Memorial Health System is proud to offer a full suite of the latest in robotic technology and surgical services to patients in Ventura County. Robotic technology enables CMHS surgeons to provide personalized surgery in a broad range of specialty areas, with incredible precision, faster recoveries, shorter hospital stays, and better results for patients.

CMHS is hosting a free online seminar at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18 to share the advanced robotic surgeries available locally. CMHS is hosting this online seminar, called The Future of Surgery: Robotic Technology at Community Memorial Health System, as part of its 2021 Speaker Series Online. There will be a live question-and-answer session for participants. To attend, please RSVP at www.cmhshealth.org/RSVP.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system that comprises Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and a network of primary and specialty care clinics that serve communities throughout Ventura County, California.

The Ventura College Foundation has revised its scholarship application requirements. The changes are designed to remove barriers to applying. The revisions were approved by the foundation board and are effective immediately.

“We reviewed our scholarship program outcome data, researched best practices for scholarship providers along the lines of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and conducted a student forum to receive feedback from students who had previously gone through the scholarship application process. We heard from many that the old requirements presented unrealistic barriers that prevented them from applying,” says Amy Cherot, chair of the foundation’s Scholarships & Grants Committee. “We’re always looking for ways to better serve Ventura College students and to improve diversity and equity in our scholarship application process.”

One of the significant changes to the scholarship application requirements is that instead of requiring applicants to have completed 12 Ventura College credits by the end of the fall semester in which they are applying, they will have had to complete at least six credits. Credits earned in previous semesters at the college count toward the minimum unit requirement.

“The scholarship program was never intended to only support full-time students,” says Anne Paul King, foundation executive director. “Many students attend part-time while working full-time. This change opens the door to many outstanding students who can’t afford to take on a full course load.”

Instead of requiring applicants to secure two letters of recommendation to apply and be eligible for scholarships, the foundation will instead require one. Students can still submit two. The foundation will review both and select the strongest recommendation letter when evaluating the application.

Previously, the foundation required dual enrollment students (those who are enrolled in high school and Ventura College classes simultaneously) to attend Ventura College upon high school graduation. This old policy prevented dual enrollment students who had completed all their general college education requirements while in high school from receiving foundation scholarships if they were ready to transfer to a four-year university directly from high school. Now, dual enrollment students can apply for the foundation scholarship program regardless of whether they are continuing their education at Ventura College or immediately transferring to a four-year university.

“Many of our scholarships provide funds for students moving on to four-year universities,” says King. “Students who have completed all their Ventura College transfer courses while in high school are now eligible for these types of scholarships.”

Scholarship applications are being accepted through January 21, 2022. For more information, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/scholarships. Virtual workshops on scholarship requirements and how to apply are taking place throughout November and December.

After being on hold due to COVID, Ventura Education Partnership and the Ventura Unified School District Community enthusiastically embraced the return of $1,000 Innovation Grants for VUSD educators. Through a competitive application process, VEP selected 49 projects totaling $46,000 to fund. These innovative projects provide hands on opportunities that deepen student engagement and learning. 

Beth Harris, Principal, Poinsettia Elementary said of the grants program, “Grants allow staff to dream… In this dreaming there is new energy breathed into the classroom. That energy is palpable and can be felt by students. There is a captivating magic in a passionate educator, excited about an idea they dreamed up… It’s great for the student and, equally important, so good for the staff. In these most trying times in education, this kind of joyful energy is invaluable!” 

The program is funded by generous support from local businesses and caring community members who value investments in educators and students as essential for our future. Aera Energy’s gift of $10,000 was specifically meaningful in a year when many teachers turned to the joy of reading as a way to create connections with and between students that was reduced during distance learning.

Madhu Bajaj, Vice President of VEPGrants said, “Aera has supported reading grants over the last few years. Ongoing funding like this creates meaningful change and significant impact, in this case stimulating a renewed passion for teaching through relevant, forward thinking reading based activities.” 

Recognizing the unusual times we are living in, Rotary Club of Ventura’s Julius Guis Memorial Rotary Foundation supported community building projects with $5,000. These 5 grants use the arts and garden-based education to bring students together where they can collaborate, share ideas, strengthening communication and team building while immersing themselves in scientific study, math, and environmental education. 

Community Memorial Health System’s gift of $5,000 supported 5 grants in the areas of math, science and health careers. These projects build essential skills that give students a strong foundation for future careers in the health industry. Students will engage in scientific inquiry, and research while working together in problem solving and more. 

Petra McCullough, Assistant Principal of Anacapa Middle School shared why she is passionate about VEPGrants, “When a teacher is struggling to reach their students, VEP is there to help. When a new teacher is looking to set themselves apart, VEP is there to help. When you are looking to invest in an equitable program, VEP is there to help.”   

This help is only possible with the community’s involvement. “We are very grateful for our community supporters whose generous donations make these innovative projects possible for Ventura Unified School District students” said Co-Presidents Debbie Golden and Kathy Asher.

To learn more and For a complete list of grant recipients and more information on VEPGrants, visit venturaeducationpartnership.org/VEPGrants or contact [email protected] (805) 754-9861.

Ventura County Library and First 5 Ventura County are proud to continue partnering on offering Parent and Child Together (PACT) classes for local families. In this free 12-week program, families with infants or toddlers are invited to learn new skills together, play fun activities, and share the love of reading. PACT Class is for children up to three years of age.

“Parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. Every child comes into this world ready to learn. It’s never too early to talk, read, and sing to your child,” says Petra Puls, Executive Director of First 5 Ventura County.

Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director says, “By collaborating with First 5 Ventura County and other organizations that serve children from birth to age 3 and their parents, our Ventura County Libraries can make an even bigger difference in early childhood brain development. This program means our libraries will play a key role in providing equitable opportunities for all children to experience language through books and other interactions and provide support for parents who may have few or no other places they can go for help.”

According to one parent in PACT Class, “I feel as though I have better tools in understanding what my child needs and anticipating the wants. It’s also been helpful to hear other parents’ experiences too.”

After class, another parent said, “I feel better connected with my child and we have more fun ways to read together.”

In PACT Class, parents receive a free toolkit with developmental screenings for their child, age-appropriate toys supporting early childhood development, and books exploring social and emotional competence. Librarians also partner with families to address individual needs and strengthen community connections.

Online registration is open now for the fall session of classes, which begins in November. Parents register using this link: bit.ly/VCLPact. The class is limited to six families per location and registration is on a first come, first served basis. If the class is full, a waiting list will be created, and interested families will be notified of any openings.

The fall session of classes will be held weekly at:

Westview Community Room

Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, 1187 Riverside Street, Ventura

Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.Starting Thursday, November 4

The full class schedule may be found on the library’s online calendar of events: https://vencolibrary.org/calendar.

This class is offered in partnership with First 5 Ventura County. It is supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. It is free and open to the public.

On October 15, 7:05pm, at Victoria Ave. and Moon Dr. emergency units responded to a vehicle roll over with trapped victim. Fire and EMS units were able to assist the driver from the vehicle without the use of rescue extrication tools. The 77-year-old woman suffered minor injuries to her right arm and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center for further treatment.

Livingston’s Grief & Bereavement Program is offering a new support group, Reinvesting In Life After Loss. This new group will be focusing on restorative activities, seeking meaning and purpose, identifying changes to self, and receiving support in making life good again. The new support groups starts on November 9th and it will be held via Zoom the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 6-7:30 pm. For more information or to register, please call 805-389-6870.

Additional Support Groups conducted through Zoom at this time: General Bereavement Support Group Mondays 3:00 to 4:30 pm and Tuesdays 10:30am to 12:00 pm. Good Grief Club 1st and 3rd Tuesdays 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Young Teen Grief Support Group 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Young Widow and Widowers Support Group Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Widow and Widower’s Support Group Wednesdays 1:00 to 2:30 pm. General Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Survivors of a Suicide Loss 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Bereaved Mom’s Support Group: 2nd Thursday of every month 6-7:30 pm. Adult Loss of Parent Support Group: 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 6:00 to 7:30 pm. General Bereavement Support Group Thursdays 6:00 to 7:30 pm. For more information on the Grief and Bereavement Program, visit LMVNA.org.

Ventura resident Ashley Bautista (shown with her mom Ana), the Public Information Officer for the County of Ventura, has been recognized by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce with the 40 Under 40 Award for her work in Covid-19 Communication. She’s been the voice behind www.vcrecovers.org and County Covid messaging. “I have spent the last 20 months in the COVID trenches with Ashley. She is dedicated, prepared, extremely intelligent, and passionate. Our county has been blessed by her involvement,” said Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin.

Ashley can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 805-654-2640. She’s happy to answer your COVID-19 questions any time.