Category Archives: News and Notes

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Gold Ribbon Campaign honors locals

Summaer Cole encouraged the police department to be a community “hub” for donations of Easter baskets and toys.

This year, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) will be honoring The Lilley Family and Summaer Cole and Susie Perry from Ventura. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the annual in-person Gold Ribbon Campaign Luncheon has been cancelled. This year, the Campaign is solely focused on raising funds and awareness for the organization and the families they serve.

COVID-19 is creating even greater challenges for local families battling childhood cancer. Community support has made it possible for TBCF to provide additional financial assistance to 31 local families who have been severely affected by the pandemic. TBCF is proud of this year’s honorees for their esteemed efforts in helping children facing cancer both before and during COVID-19.

The Lilley Family will be receiving the Pay-it-Forward Award. After their son, Brad Jr. beat cancer, they wanted to give back to children who continue to fight their battle.

Summaer Cole and Susie Perry will receive the Helping Hands Award because of the countless hours they have spent directly helping TBCF families in Ventura County. These extraordinary women have delivered food to TBCF families, provided holiday gifts for TBCF kids, and this year delivered mother and father day baskets to local families who have been during quarantine. With their combined efforts, they have collected literally carloads of Thanksgiving food and Christmas toys from the community and have helped deliver these items to Ventura County Family homes.

Summaer Cole, with the help of her husband who works for Ventura Police Department, encouraged the police department to be a community “hub” for donations of Easter baskets and toys last year. The Ventura Police Department delivered 140 Easter baskets. Additionally, she set-up Ventura Fire Department deliveries of Easter baskets to family homes.

Susie Perry has courageously battled cancer on and off since she began volunteering with TBCF. Still, whether in treatment or not, she has worked with Summaer to deliver gifts to Ventura County families.

TBCF advocates for families living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties that have a child with cancer by providing financial, educational, and emotional support. For more information and to donate https://bit.ly/31I8Gkm

 

Food Share in the news

Food Share of Ventura County is honored to have been selected as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Food Share, the largest hunger relief organization in the county, is one of over a hundred nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assembly members for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.

“The pandemic and shelter-in-place orders of the last few months have put nonprofits

(usually hidden in plain sight) in the spotlight,” explained Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits).

“California Nonprofit of the Year is an opportunity for our elected officials to celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts, and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.”

Commenting on her reasons for selecting Food Share, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin commented,

“Food Share has been leading the fight against hunger in Ventura County for over 40 years, but they have truly proven the power of their mission through meeting the increasing demand of hungry families brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.” She added, “Their work in distributing food to nearly 750,000 individuals since the start of the pandemic has played a vital role in holding our community together during our greatest hour of need. For that I am happy to designate them the 44th Assembly District’s 2020 Nonprofit of the Year.”

Monica White, President & CEO of Food Share said, “Thank you to Assemblymember

Irwin for this wonderful honor. I’m so proud of the team here at Food Share and our network of community partners who have all worked tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.”

Food Share accepting applications for board of director positions

The Board of Directors of Food Share of Ventura County is accepting applications to join the board of Ventura County’s largest hunger-relief organization. Food Share was recently named a CA Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. Closing date for applications is October 31, 2020. Applications can be made through Food Share’s website at foodshare.com/join-our-board-of-directors/

Board members provide strategic and financial direction to the food bank’s leadership team, and actively participate in fundraising and networking activities. The minimum term of service is three years, and board members typically commit three or more hours per month to the role.

Monica White, President & CEO of Food Share outlined the importance of the Board of Directors in shaping the future of Food Share, saying, “We are looking for community members who are passionate about helping us lead the fight against hunger in Ventura County. Our board members have an incredible opportunity to learn more about hunger in our community, while helping our organization feed more people, operate more efficiently and make an even bigger impact on the lives of those in need.”

For more information about Food Share, visit www.foodshare.com. Find us on Facebook , Instagram, and Twitter.

 

NAMI VC launches program aimed at wellness in a challenging world

NAMI Ventura County has launched a new pilot program designed to empower and encourage participants to actively address mental health using skills based in awareness, self-care and communication.

Like all the non-profit’s program offerings, the Community Cares program is free to participants and available exclusively in webinar format through Zoom. The Ventura County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness created the program locally to help counteract the mental-health related fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Community Cares includes information on mental wellness, stigma, diagnoses, treatment, suicide prevention, self-care and communication. Participants receive, electronically, a 34-page participant workbook filled with information building on the course topics as well as exercises aimed at building awareness and practicing useful skills.

“This is an exceptional program for anyone in the community who is not aware of the signs of mental illness,” said Roberta Griego, Director of Operations, Community Outreach & Development. “Anyone who attends Community Cares will come away with a new perspective and renewed focus on wellness.”

The two-hour webinar is facilitated by two volunteer presenters who are either family members or peers living in recovery and trained to share their experiences with participants.

Many trained presenters are both family members and peers giving them valuable, unique insight into mental health and wellness.

What’s the new program’s bottom line? Caring for ourselves as individuals is fundamental to caring for our communities.

Community Cares attendees are already praising the webinar.

“I don’t think I do well in the self-care area of my life as I am always taking care of others first,” said one participant. “I enjoyed the area in the presentation and workbook on self-care. I intend to do more self-care of myself after hearing that reminder.”

People who live or work in Ventura County can register for an upcoming Community Cares webinar at www.namiventura.org/community-cares.

OVCH is the only Tri-counties hospital to offer the new ROSA Total Knee Replacement System

ROSA Total Knee Replacement System surgeons Dr. Petros K. Frousiakis, Dr. Stephan J. Sweet, Dr. Thomas F. Golden, Dr. John R. Burge and Dr. Casey W. Pyle.

Ojai Valley Community Hospital is pleased to share that doctors have performed the 50th knee replacement surgery at the Ojai hospital using the cutting-edge ROSA Total Knee Replacement System, a new robotically-assisted surgical system that enhances total knee replacement surgery.

The ROSA Total Knee Replacement System brings the most advanced joint replacement technology to Ojai Valley Community Hospital, which is the only hospital in the Tri-counties offering this technology. Total joint replacement is among the most commonly performed elective surgeries in the United States today. Offering surgical services in the Ojai Valley allows patients to recover in a smaller and more intimate hospital in a beautiful community.

Knee replacement surgeries with the ROSA system are available at the Ojai hospital from surgeons Petros K. Frousiakis, Thomas F. Golden, Stephan J. Sweet, John R. Burge and Casey W. Pyle.

The ROSA system combines robotic technology with industry-leading knee implants to help surgeons personalize knee replacement surgery for patients. ROSA knee is a robotically-assisted surgical system that includes features to assist with bone resections and assessing the state of soft tissues to facilitate implant positioning intraoperatively. Data provided by ROSA knee enables surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for greater precision and flexibility during procedures.

OVCH is a 25-bed acute care hospital with an emergency room, four beds for Intensive Care patients and 21 medical/surgical beds that also can serve patients needing skilled nursing care. The hospital recently opened a new, modern Continuing Care Center (skilled nursing facility) with 75 beds. Visit cmhshealth.org/rosa to learn more about the procedure.

Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center commemorates legacy of Founding Sisters on Mercy Day

New Mercy Cross tower at Oxnard medical center honors the Sisters of Mercy.

Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) is pleased to share with the community the completion of the new Mercy Cross tower, which celebrates the heritage of the regional medical center’s founding sisters— the Sisters of Mercy. The announcement coincides with Feastday of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercy Day)—a date observed annually throughout the world in remembrance of Catherine McAuley’s establishment of the first House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, on September 24, 1827. It is through Catherine’s ministry that the Religious Sisters of Mercy were founded.

The new Mercy Cross tower, which stands tall outside the hospital’s main entrance, celebrates the Sisters of Mercy and their contributions to the region’s health and well-being.

At the request of community leaders, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Oxnard from San Diego in 1911 to help establish health care services for the thousands of residents who settled on the Oxnard plain. In May 1912, with Oxnard’s pioneer families’ help, the Sisters of Mercy opened the doors to the six-room wooden structure hospital, called by the name St. John’s Hospital. In its 108 years of service to the community, St. John’s has expanded its services and community outreach to stay true the founding principles of delivering high quality and compassionate health care to the community.

The new Mercy Cross tower was made possible by the generous contributions made by St. John’s employees to the St. John’s Healthcare Foundation’s Beacon of Mercy campaign. For more information about the St. John’s Healthcare Foundation, please visit SupportStJohns.org.

Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Cancer Center offers new technology

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and St. John’s Regional Cancer Center (SJRCC) is also spreading awareness about advanced new treatment for patients with breast cancer, a population that makes up approximately 40% of the patients at the center.

St. John’s imaging services offer leading-edge 3D mammography technology, a technology that is easier and more thorough than before. Compared to traditional mammography, 3D imaging takes multiple breast images in just seconds, allowing your doctor to view your breast tissue in layers for a more complete picture. This is especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue, which can make cancer harder to detect.

“Offering the latest technology is part of our continued commitment to providing our cancer patients with care that meets the highest standards of quality,” said Darren W. Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo. “St. John’s Regional Cancer Center offers the most advanced treatment options, and the acquisition of this new technology offers an additional measure of care and safety for our community.”

This new technology enhances the preciseness of treatment provided to breast cancer patients by more accurately targeting the lymph nodes at risk and preventing radiation from reaching vital organs, such as the heart and lungs.

These state-of-the-art enhancements to the breast program at SJRCC provide for more targeted treatment and add quality of life to patients who have undergone radiation for breast cancer.

Diagnosing and treating cancer is complex. SJRCC uses a multidisciplinary approach, consisting of collaboration between specialized oncologists and physicians to determine the best treatment course. Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan.

To schedule an appointment for a screening mammogram, please call (805) 983-0883. Our Imaging Services are located at the Medical Pavilion at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Most insurance companies cover 3-D mammograms.

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services – all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.

Calendar notice for East Ventura Community Council

At the next monthly meeting, on Thursday, Oct.15, Amy Towner, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Care Foundation for Ventura County, will give the East Ventura Community Council an overview of the Foundation’s mission and its role in stepping up to help in the Pandemic.

In addition, a representative of the Ventura Unified School District will present information on Measure H, the parcel tax extension measure on November’s ballot.

Additional agenda items may be added if time permits. Please check the website for updates.

The meeting will be held online via the Zoom application. Go here to view: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84566749793?pwd=VXNMY1EwRmlNdHNRY3pMTHZrb1NJUT09

You will first need to download the Zoom app on your desktop or smart phone. You do not need an account. If you miss the meeting, you can view it later on the website www.eastventura.org.

The meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact EVCC Chair Marie Lakin at [email protected]

Rebecca Chandler is the new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services

Familiar face to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

After a months-long competitive search, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education has voted, 5-0, to hire VUSD’s current Chief Innovations Officer, Rebecca Chandler, as its new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Ms. Chandler replaces Ms. Betsy George, who resigned from her position in June 2020. Ms. Chandler will begin as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services on October 1, 2020. In this new role, she will oversee various departments, including Budget & Finance, Facilities, Food and Nutrition Services, Payroll, Risk Management, and Transportation. Ms. Donna Rose, who has been serving as the Interim Assistant Superintendent, will continue to work to ensure a smooth transition occurs.

Since joining the VUSD team in 2019, Ms. Chandler has been highly effective in her current position, working to upgrade systems and structures at the District office and bringing in more than $5 million in support of Career Technical Education in VUSD. Ms. Chandler has accomplished all this while cultivating strong working relationships with District and site staff and community, local businesses, and industry leaders.

“In addition to her strong skill set and experience, Ms. Chandler is an innovative leader with a deep knowledge of teaching and learning. It will be a luxury to have someone guiding the allocation of resources who understands the programs they are meant to support. This has already paid huge dividends as she worked to support our transition to distance learning through her leadership of our implementation of Canvas, the District’s learning management platform,” stated Superintendent Dr. Roger Rice.

Ms. Chandler previously served in Oxnard Union High School District, VC Innovates at the Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura Community College, Simi Valley Unified School District, and in the private sector. In her various roles, she was instrumental in developing countywide standards-based curriculum, served as a leading expert in the realm of Career Technical Education, implemented numerous software platforms to streamline processes, managed budgets that included state and federal funding and monitoring, oversaw several extensive facilities upgrades and new construction projects and mitigated risk with every project.

“Ms. Chandler brings a great deal of knowledge in fiscal and purchasing management, teaching, facilities, risk management, and technology. She is a strong leader with a passion for doing what is best for students. She will make an excellent addition to our Executive Cabinet,” stated Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Jeff Davis.

 

 

Ventura Friends of the Library reaches out to the community

Leslie Bellmore and Sandy Greenberg at Hill Road Library.

by Jill Forman

The Friends of the Library bookstore at Foster Library, and the sale shelves at Hill Road Library, have been closed down for months due to COVID. This has been a loss to the community in several ways. People loved coming in, browsing, and finding book bargains. The libraries benefited from all revenues, for programming, supplies, and book purchases. The bookstore volunteers, and the customers, enjoyed the social interaction and being able to chat about books with others who value them.

Now, thanks to innovative thinking and a lot of hard work, the Friends once again offers gently-used books at good prices. Board members Leslie Bellmore, Mary Olson, and Sandy Greenberg have set up an online store, easily accessible through the Friends website (VenturaFriendsoftheLibrary.org). Booklovers can browse by genre or choose bags of books, order and pay securely, and pick up their selections locally. No waiting for packages, no shipping fees!

New selections are added daily, so customers are encouraged to check back often. Nothing is over $5; most children’s and youth books are $1. There are educational aids also. Holiday items will be added soon for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and so on.

For now, pickups are Tuesday from 1-3 and Saturday 10-12 at the Hill Road Library, 1070 South Hill Road (near the government center.) All county COVID protocols are strictly followed.

VIP Fellows were sworn in

These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties.

by Eric Harrison, President & CEO United Way of Ventura County

Recently, three AmeriCorps VIP Fellows were sworn in to serve United Way and our partner sites. Partner sites for the upcoming year include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic, a brand-new site. These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties. United Way of Ventura County has served as the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in our county since 2016.

AmeriCorps VIP is a capacity building program created to grow volunteer engagement at local nonprofit partner sites. VIP Fellows work to increase the infrastructure, volunteer support, and resources that will empower the nonprofit to serve their constituents more effectively. Over the past five years, United Way of Ventura County has placed 22 VIP Fellows with 13 different nonprofit organizations.

Our most recent class of fellows, who graduated in July, did remarkable work during the pandemic to mobilize COVID-19 volunteers for nonprofits in our community. Lauren Zika, our fellow here at United Way, helped us in countless ways–even serving as a 211 operator during the height of pandemic related calls in early March.

Nonprofits interested in participating as a partner site for 2021 should contact [email protected].