Five Regional Award Recipients to Be Honored as Housing and Community Collaborators
OXNARD — The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be celebrating its 4th Annual Awards Ceremony, “Leading People Home”, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo by honoring four individuals and one organization with prestigious named awards for their work in transforming lives through community partnerships, transformational leadership, and homeownership creation and affordability.
VCCDC’s impact of changing lives through homeownership for the past 23 years began as an operational venture by co-founders Rodney Fernandez and Bertha Garcia. In 2014, VCCDC was spun-off, becoming the only CDFI based nonprofit serving low-to-moderate income families with mortgages in Ventura County. This year’s ceremony will highlight the honoring community members whose commitments mirror VCCDC’s mission to strengthen and sustain vibrant communities by empowering individuals and families to build wealth through education and homeownership.
“VCCDC will recognize the contributions made by four individuals and one organization who are committed to improving the lives of families and individuals through investment of time, resources, and advocacy, thereby underscoring community engagement, visionary leadership, and lifetime of excellence,” said Executive Director Bertha Garcia. “Named after individuals who contributed immensely to VCCDC’s beginnings, our awards recognize the impact they and others have made that help create over 3,400 new homeowners and helped preserve homeownership since 2001.”
The 2024 VCCDC Awards and the respective winners are:
-Rodney Fernandez Founder’s Award for Excellence in Visionary Leadership will be presented to Monica White, President and CEO of Food Share.
-Michael McGuire Award for Excellence in Community Partnership will be presented to Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) of Oxnard.
-Ernest Baskette, Jr. Award for Excellence in Community Support will be presented to Jose Vega, Counselor, Oxnard College.
-Lynn L. Jacobs Award for Excellence in Lifetime Leadership will be presented to Oxnard Mayor John Zaragoza.
-Carmen Ramirez Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Community Impact will be presented to Kevin Stein, Chief of Legal and Strategy, Rise Economy.
Keynote speaker for the VCCDC ceremony is Gustavo Velasquez, Director for the California Housing and Community Development Department.
U.S. Bank, Bank of the Sierra, and Premier America Credit Union are the Presenting Sponsors of the 4th Annual Awards Ceremony; additional sponsors include Citizens Business City of Oxnard, HOME, Mechanics Bank, The Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District, Montecito Bank & Trust, RIZE Credit Union, and Ventura County Credit Union.
“We are thankful for the amazing contributions made by our award recipients, members, and sponsors. Together we help support vibrant communities, one family, one home at a time,” Garcia added.
For tickets and more information please visit: https://vccdc-awards.org/
ABOUT VCCDC: The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that has worked to fulfill its mission of empowering families through education and homeownership. Since its inception in 2001, VCCDC has originated over $209M in mortgage loans; provided more than $12.5M in down payment assistance; provided education and one-on one coaching to over 23,000 families and individuals; and invested more than $32M in community revitalization through its Acquisition and Rehab program. These and other achievements have contributed to improved economic conditions throughout the communities and regions that VCCDC serves. Dedicated to ensuring homebuyers are prepared for homeownership with the support of certified and licensed professionals who provide education and guidance, workshops, and one-on-one coaching, and counseling, VCCDC ensures clients are supported from start to finish of the homebuying process. VCCDC accomplishes its work in partnership with community organizations and other community organizations and is financially supported by private and public funds. VCCDC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and a housing counseling agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information, visit: www.vccdc.org and www.facebook.com/vccdc .