More than 7,400 students — a combination of both undergraduate and graduate — have declared their candidacy to earn degrees in 2025. And they’ll all be honored across nine official events over eight days.
The students graduating from Ventura County’s high schools in 2025 are entering a world full of uncertainty. Our nation’s political divisions seem to be at an all-time high, the economy is experiencing wild fluctuations, and the relentless march of artificial intelligence is reshaping the job market in ways we’re only beginning to understand. At the same time, our educational institutions from preschool to higher education are facing threats to their funding like never before.
Despite these challenges, our graduating seniors are full of promise and possess an intense commitment to making a positive impact on our nation and our world.
IN-PERSON: DIGITAL MARKETING 101
June 3 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Moorpark and EDC for this insight-packed workshop. It aims to educate business owners on the essential digital marketing skills, including social media dos and don’ts, tips for both digital and print marketing, creating engaging and effective content, avoiding common mistakes and so much more! Location: Moorpark City Hall, 323 Science Dr., Moorpark.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
OXNARD — The educational tall ship Mystic Whaler was honored to have welcomed graduating seniors from the Oxnard Union High School District to Mystic Whaler for a Class of 2025 portrait. The students arrived in their graduation finery and posed for a variety of photos to celebrate the graduates of 2025. Accompanying them, and proudly standing beside them, was OUHSD Superintendent Dr. Tom McCoy.
VENTURA COUNTY — Nate’s Place – A Wellness and Recovery Center (Nate’s Place), a 501c3 nonprofit whose unique “recovery recipe” program is designed to support teens and young adults at risk of substance use and/or mental health challenges, is giving its teen drop-in center a new boost of programming and activities designed to provide enrolled teens with well-rounded mental health and wellness support after Ventura County Behavioral Health awarded the nonprofit a 12-month contract, effective July 1, 2025, toward this effort.
This annual, non-competitive relay kicks off at historic Ventura City Hall, making its way east through the community. Ventura PD will then pass the torch to the Ventura Harbor Patrol, continuing the flame’s journey through Ventura County and toward the Southern California Summer Games in Long Beach, June 6–8, 2025.
“The Flame of Hope represents the courage and perseverance of Special Olympics athletes,” said Sergeant Ryan Reynosa, Special Olympics Liaison for the Ventura Police Department. “Team Ventura PD is honored to carry the torch, support fundraising, and champion inclusion and awareness for these inspiring individuals.”
THOUSAND OAKS — Elisha Tong is furthering her student research at California Lutheran University amid the growing health crisis of antibiotic resistance, thanks to a scholarship from The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The nonprofit awards scholarships to college students pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. A total of 441 sophomores and juniors nationwide were selected from over 5,000 who applied for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“This scholarship reflects my hard work and the support I have received from Cal Lutheran professors, mentors, friends and family,” said Tong, a Cal Lutheran junior. “Being selected as a Goldwater Scholar has reaffirmed my aspiration to contribute to our growing understanding of the world through science.”
“This collaboration with CSU Channel Islands is another example of how Hancock is working to remove barriers and create seamless pathways for students to pursue higher education and meaningful careers,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Nurses are in high demand across the state, and this program will help our students advance their careers while serving their communities.”
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics has announced finalized plans to build a new Westside Clinic near the location of its current Westside Neighborhood Clinic. This facility will provide expanded medical services to more than 8,300 local children, adults and seniors annually.
“It’s a special day to see this project finally break ground after four years of planning,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “It takes many partners and members of the project team to pull it all together. We are so grateful for the relationship with the Church that brought us to where we are today.”
In Summer 2021, People’s Self-Help Housing was selected by the College Ministry Center United Methodist Church to develop affordable housing on a portion of their property. The project was entitled under Senate Bill 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act, which took effect January 1, 2024.
We’re building power – and we’re building our team.
CAUSE is excited to announce that we’re hiring two new team members in Oxnard to grow our environmental justice organizing and advocacy work.
Right now, powerful industries are trying to turn our communities into sacrifice zones – polluting our air, threatening our health, and putting profit over people. And with growing attacks from the federal level, we know we need bold, grassroots leadership now more than ever. That’s why we’re expanding our team to meet this moment.
“At Moorpark College, we believe that student success begins with meeting their basic needs,” said Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “This generous contribution from Lifetech Resources allows us to further remove barriers to education by ensuring our students have access to essential hygiene products. We are grateful for this partnership and the shared commitment to uplifting our community.”
CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST – Frontline Healthcare workers at six Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC) clinics in Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo, have announced they will go on a two-day strike on June 10 and 11 in response to management’s continued unfair labor practices and refusal to address a deepening staffing crisis. The announcement follows nine months of attempted bargaining and a unanimous vote to authorize the strike earlier this month.
“We don’t want to go on strike, but we feel like we have to,” said Emily Medal, a Clinician at Planned Parenthood Santa Barbara. “We need management to stop bargaining in bad faith so that we can finally address short staffing. Our patients wait for weeks for an appointment, rearrange their whole day, often arranging childcare or missing work, and they can’t even get seen, or are rushed through. That’s not care. That’s a crisis.”
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Opening Act: The Barrelhouse Wailers
Friday, July 25th at 6:00 PM
The Ventura College Sportsplex Stadium
West Campus Way, Ventura, CA
This June, we’re proud to celebrate Homeownership Month by uplifting the dreams of local families and sharing the resources that make those dreams possible. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a returning homeowner, or a community partner, we invite you to join us!
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation distributed a record $940,854 in scholarships to students during its 36th Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony held May 17 at the Ventura College Sportsplex Field.
The foundation presented 435 scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year, marking the highest distribution amount in the organization’s more than 40-year history.
Of the total awarded, $885,800 went toward 413 general scholarships and $55,054 supported 22 paramedic and other career scholarships. The funds benefited 269 student scholarship recipients, many receiving multiple awards.
“The cost of college is a barrier to many who want to receive an education that will lead to well-paying and rewarding careers,” said Nicole Kreutz, chair of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors. “Scholarships can be a huge help. Many of our students face incredible adversity yet still excel and stay focused on their education goals. Everyone can learn and be inspired by them.”
Memorial Rose Garden Unveiled at the Government Center Honoring Supervisor Carmen Ramirez …
Recently close friends and family gathered at the Ventura County Government Center to honor the legacy of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez with the unveiling of a new rose garden in her memory.
Located between the Hall of Administration and the Hall of Justice, the garden, constructed by our General Services Agency, features vibrant roses and peaceful benches, offering a space to reflect on Supervisor Ramirez’s lifelong dedication to justice and public service.
May her memory continue to inspire our community.
VENTURA COUNTY — Teachers from throughout Ventura County are being honored with grants for developing innovative lessons for their students. At a ceremony last night in Camarillo, the Ventura County Office of Education presented Impact on Education grants totaling in $6,000 to thirteen teachers. Photos from the event are available here.
OXNARD — The City of Oxnard joins the community in mourning the loss of former Mayor Dr. Thomas E. Holden, who passed away on May 26.
Dr. Holden served as Mayor from 2004 to 2012, following a decade of service on the City Council beginning in 1993. His leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on the Oxnard community.
New research shows that, globally, men and women tend to use the ocean in different ways, with implications for how marine spaces are used and valued.
THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) plans to conduct a prescribed burn in Adams Canyon, north of Santa Paula, on June 3rd, 4thor 5th weather permitting. This controlled burn is part of ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. A window of 3 days is provided to ensure the safest weather conditions are used, and the burn will be conducted on only one of the 3 days listed.
Adams Canyon is located north of Santa Paula, south of Thomas Aquinas College, and west of Steckel Park. Firefighters will utilize hand-ignition techniques to carefully burn up to 100 acres. A small test burn will be conducted beforehand to confirm optimal conditions before proceeding with the full burn.
SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated the achievements of 1,287 graduating students at the college’s 104th commencement ceremony.
“Whether your journey here was fast and focused or winding and full of unexpected turns, today is the moment where it all comes together,” said Hancock Board of Trustees President Hilda Zacarías. “It is a joy to celebrate with you.”
New solar canopies support Ventura’s Climate Action Plan and will save $2.3 million in energy costs
VENTURA — The City of Ventura held a ribbon-cutting ceremony (May 29) celebrating the completion of a new 900 kilowatt-DC solar portfolio, marking a major milestone in the City’s commitment to sustainability and long-term cost savings. Developed in partnership with ForeFront Power, the project features solar parking canopies at two high-usage facilities: the Ventura Police and Fire Headquarters and Ventura Community Park.
VENTURA — Supervisor Kelly Long’s Office and the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the El Rio Pedestrian Improvements Project on Monday, June 2 at 12:00 p.m. The event will take place in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church of El Rio, 2857 Cortez St., Oxnard.
The pedestrian improvements – which began in July 2024 — closes sidewalk gaps within the El Rio community, providing accessible pedestrian walkways along three residential roadways: Stroube Street, Walnut Drive and a portion of Cortez Street.
The next regular meeting of the
County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2025
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara,CA
The public may participate virtually or in person at the County Board Hearing Room
in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
Friendship Center serves a diverse background of seniors. No matter their age, or the stage of their condition, we provide dignified, compassionate care catered specifically to each individual’s needs. This quality and compassion enables us to not only be a helpful service, but a family in which every senior, caregiver, and loved one is seen and heard.
Just like anything worthwhile, this dignified care comes at a cost. It costs us roughly $220 per member, per day to provide support for our seniors living with dementia.
SANTA BARBARA — Amid growing outrage over Governor Gavin Newsom’s silence regarding Sable Offshore’s oil operations, community members and student activists will gather for a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00 AM at Gaviota State Park.
Sable Offshore has begun pumping oil from offshore platforms that were abandoned for more than a decade, and pipeline work at Gaviota State Park is expected to finish this week. Environmental advocates say the silence from the Governor’s office—and the waivers granted by State Parks and Fire Marshal agencies—suggest tacit approval from the highest levels of state government.
The Board of Directors supports Pedro in his decision and extends its deep gratitude for his leadership and service over the past three years. During his tenure, Pedro helped advance SBEF’s mission to support programs that enrich the academic, artistic, and personal development of all students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Under his leadership, SBEF developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan and strengthened its operational effectiveness to lay a strong foundation for the future.
“We are so grateful for his passion and steadfast guidance over the past two decades,” said Shelly Higginbotham, PSHH Board Chair. “For his dedication and leadership, we congratulate Ken on reaching this significant milestone.”
Since joining PSHH in 2005, Ken has served in many roles, including Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President of Real Estate Finance. With extensive experience accumulated through a 30+ year distinguished career in banking and affordable housing, Ken brings an innovative combination of executive skills to his role as CEO & President. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business Management from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and his MBA in Finance & Banking from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.
SANTA BARBARA — Cottage Health has elected Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons to its Board of Directors. A respected physician leader with nearly two decades of clinical and administrative experience, Dr. Fitzgibbons brings deep expertise in infectious diseases, public health and medical education.
She serves as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and holds multiple medical directorships within Cottage Health, including for Infection Prevention and Control and the Cottage Center for Population Health. Dr. Fitzgibbons is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. A proud alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), she is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UCSB. Throughout her career, Dr. Fitzgibbons has led local pandemic responses, directed quality initiatives and championed equitable, community-based care.
IN-PERSON: MARKETING IN A DIGITAL WORLD
June 3 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE Ventura County, City of Moorpark and EDC for this insight-packed workshop. It aims to educate business owners on the essential digital marketing skills, including social media dos and don’ts, tips for both digital and print marketing, creating engaging and effective content, avoiding common mistakes and so much more! Location: Moorpark City Hall, 323 Science Dr., Moorpark.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 1st Annual District 2 Supervisorial Leadership and Excellence Awards—a special evening celebrating the “Great Navigators” of our community. From public safety and education to environmental stewardship and economic development, our honorees represent the best of Ventura County.
A heartfelt thank you to Amgen for graciously hosting us on their Thousand Oaks campus, and to the New West Symphony for providing beautiful music that elevated the evening.
To our recipients, sponsors, guests, and supporters—thank you for making this inaugural event such a success. If you missed it, I encourage you to watch the inspiring tribute videos linked below.
This donation marks the foundation’s second major contribution to the YMCA this year. Earlier in 2025, the Valentine Foundation contributed $250,000 to the YMCA’s Find My Genius program, a free five-week program for low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level to support their academic and social-emotional learning.
VENTURA — Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is proud to announce the recognition of its 2025 Employees of the Year. These exceptional individuals have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, dedication, and innovation in their roles, contributing to the Agency’s ongoing success. The awards were presented on Tuesday, May 20th, during the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Evan Martinez, honored with the Operations & Maintenance Employee of the Year award, has been with VCPWA for just over five years, playing a key role in maintaining and operating the water systems across the Agency’s four service districts. His major duties consist of helping the Operations and
Productions team deliver safe drinking water to residents and keeping the water system in excellent working condition.
Many of the seniors served through Friendship Center’s programs are at the intersection of aging, poverty, and dementia, with few additional resources for support.
Every day costs Friendship Center more than $200 per person, and most of the program’s members pay less than $100. Will you help us fill that gap?!
Below is a real-time snapshot of how many members we serve at each contribution level.
You can pick a tier and match what they can’t cover, day by day.
SANTA BARBARA —The power of collective giving was on display on May 20th when the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara awarded an unprecedented $1.25 million in grants to 11 local nonprofits —showcasing the power of collective giving in the Santa Barbara community. This accomplishment was made possible through the generosity of 1,426 local women members who have combined their charitable contributions into a substantial grants pool.
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here EDC MAY AND JUNE EVENT AND WEBINAR SCHEDULE The Economic Development Collaborative encourages you to sign up for our no-cost events and webinars. Space is limited. Register today! Plan ahead! Our full EDC and partner event schedule is updated…
A big thank you to everyone who supported the 2025 Builder Games, presented by Mechanics Bank. Together, we raised over $125,000 for our Supportive Housing and Camino Scholars programs.
CAMARILLO — When Kevin and Stephanie Allen launched AirWorks Solutions from their hometown of Camarillo in 2010, they didn’t set out to build an empire. Then in their twenties, the high school sweethearts — he a hands-on technician, she a business-savvy law graduate — set out to build trust, one honest service call at a time. What they’ve built since has exceeded anything they imagined.
Topic: “Surviving Chronic Pain Through Psychedelic Therapy”
Description: A long and beautiful life opened by psychedelics led Paul to gurus, God, volunteering in India and Guatemala and so many other amazing planes. But NOTHING has opened him like being in chronic pain, and he swore when he got out that he would share his experience and help others. We will start the evening with an interactive element before the interview.
