Sophia and Raphael enjoy the ministry with their parents.

“People need a friend…it is priceless to see the transformation, to see someone who is destroyed and without hope, able to live a normal life.” Silvia Simoes

by Jill Forman

The Simoes are a charismatic couple: gracious, attractive, and hospitable. Yours truly showed up for the interview with two small children in tow, unexpectedly; Silvia set them up with toys and coloring supplies, and said, “All are welcome here.”

In their native Brazil, Fabio trained as a dentist, Silvia as a physical therapist. They could have been enjoying an affluent existence, yet here they are in Ventura living a life of dedication and service. Instead of trendy clothes, they are wearing Salvation Army uniforms (which look like designer outfits on them.) Owning almost nothing, they live in a Salvation Army house. Instead of being titled “Doctor,” they are both proud to be called “Lieutenant.”

They are in charge of the Salvation Army services in Ventura, and loving it. “We never planned this, no background in social service; we just fell in love with the opportunities to serve people.”

Fabio, in addition to dentistry, studied music; he is a classical guitarist with 17 albums recorded. In 2002, he was invited by the Salvation Army to come to the United States on a religious visa, and he coordinated music schools with 200 students in Southern California for over 7 years.

Silvia came on a student visa to learn English; she lived in the Long Beach area, and was planning to take her boards to be a therapist in the United States. But, she says with a chuckle, “God intervened.”

They met at a Salvation Army Brazilian ministry in 2005 and were married in 2006; their children are Sophia, 8, and Raphael, 7. They worked in their respective fields, music and physical therapy, until 2012.

They were “challenged” to go to seminary and become officers in the Salvation Army. They decided that “People are more important than things…we are here to offer hope in all ways.” In the Salvation Army, both members of a married couple attend seminary. They started in 2012, at a campus in Rancho Palos Verdes, graduating in 2014. Ventura is their first assignment.

The first two years here were spent organizing, learning about the community and about the Salvation Army facilities here. They have several locations with a variety of services, which are frequently changing due to funding fluctuations and the needs of the local populace.

Their children enjoy the ministry which calls for the whole family to work together. Their kids encourage them, and they have been able to bring more families into their church. “When we started we had two children in our program – ours – and now we have more than 40.”

Their Ventura ministry includes the church and headquarters on Petit Street, the Hope Center downtown on Oak Street with outreach and case management among other services, spiritual care for the residents of a senior living facility on the Petit property, family units on Bell Way with housing specialists, an eye clinic in association with the Rotary, recuperative care for post-hospital patients in association with the Health Care Agency, and many other programs planned.

Ventura Police Officers joined the Castro family in 2016.

The Ventura Police Department announces the 8^th 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 until December 15.

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 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. The Castro Family expanded their effort by partnering with the Ventura Police Community Foundation. 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.

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) recently added four new members to the nonprofit land trust’s board of trustees. They are: Dennis Kulzer, Susan LeFevre, Scott Weiss and Don Wood, bringing total board membership to 11. Each of them bring a diverse and professional background that adds expertise and personal qualities that fit well with VHC’s mission to permanently protect the scenic beauty of our region.

Kulzer is an avid outdoorsman who was born and raised in Southern California and enjoys hiking, backpacking, running and bicycling. He retired in 2013 after serving as the City of Ventura’s fleet services supervisor for 10 years. He has also coordinated international rescue efforts for 400,000 refugees at Rwandan refugee camps in Western Tanzania. In addition to serving on the VHC board, Kulzer volunteers with Channel Islands Restoration, local homeless programs, and the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

LeFevre is an adjunct professor at California State University Channel Islands and an independent education consultant. She has previously served as the Program Manager for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy/STEM Initiative, Executive Director of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, and Curator of Education for the Carnegie Art Museum. She has a long history of involvement with non-profit institutions and currently serves on the Oxnard College Foundation Board. Susan enjoys hiking in the mountains of California.

Weiss, a Certified Public Accountant, has lived in Ventura for more than 50 years. He is the managing partner of the CPA firm Weiss, Bowens, and Magson LLP, a licensed real estate broker and serves as an arbitrator for the Ventura County Bar Assoc. A semi-professional trumpet player and musical conductor, he is passionate about music, passing on that enthusiasm as the founder and Executive Director of Music 4 Kids.. When not making music, Weiss enjoys hiking, biking and traveling.

Wood was born in western Pennsylvania, grew up in California and spent his youth hiking and biking in the countryside of Ventura County. A graduate of Occidental College, he recently completed a 34-year career in the telecommunications industry. Wood has been actively engaged in Ventura community service for nearly 30 years serving as a member and past president of the Ventura Education Partnership.