Category: Family

Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Excessive Heat Warning

by Community Contributor • June 16, 2021 • Comments Off

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued an excessive heat warning through 9:00 PM, June 16th, and an excessive heat watch to June 18th at 9:00 PM. Temperatures in the valleys and inland mountain areas are expected to exceed the 100-degree mark for a prolonged period of time, with relatively poor overnight recovery.

The high temperatures may create a dangerous situation in which heat?related illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in air?conditioned rooms. Stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Potential PSPS Warning, June 15 Changes, & Boat Wreckage Cleanup!

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2021 • Comments Off

This week there will be a lot to watch for! There is a Red Flag Warning effective Monday, 6/14 at 6:00 pm until Wednesday, 6/16 at 6:00 am in the mountains and south coast due to forecast winds, low humidity, and very hot temperatures. There will be an Excessive Heat Watch in effect starting Wednesday, 6/16 morning to evening. Drink water and keep your family, including your pets, cool and hydrated. Monitor the forecast for updates, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Assemblymember Irwin Secures State Funding for Crucial Gun Violence Prevention Programs and Ventura County Victims

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2021 • Comments Off

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) announced that funding for two of her priorities have made it into the final California State Budget. The State Legislature approved the funding earlier today and the Governor has until July 1st to sign or veto the State Budget.

$10 Million in Funding for Gun Violence Prevention Grant Program to remove weapons from dangerous individuals. The purpose of the grant program is to provide support to county sheriff’s departments conducting activities related to the seizure of weapons and ammunition from persons who are prohibited from possessing them, including efforts based upon entries in the Department of Justice’s Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS). This builds upon $3 million in the 2019-2020 budget that went to 4 pilot counties, including Ventura County.

Family Service Agency Launches Fatherhood Education Program

by Community Contributor • June 14, 2021 • Comments Off

Family Service Agency (FSA) announced a new education program, Forever A Father, to help dads improve their parenting skills, relationships, and economic stability. The program, available in English and Spanish, is provided at no cost to participants and is funded through a five-year grant from the Department of Health & Human Services.

““The fatherhood program addresses the needs of underserved families by providing services, supports, and education. The goal is to strengthen family functioning through additional resources and skill-building so that parents are better able to raise their children in healthy home environments,” said Executive Director, Lisa Brabo.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for 7th Annual Yarrow Family YMCA Golf Classic

by Community Contributor • June 14, 2021 • Comments Off

The Yarrow Family YMCA is seeking sponsors for its 7th Annual Golf Classic, taking place Monday, August 9, at the North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village. The title sponsor for the YMCA’s “On Course For A Cause” tournament is Amoroso Companies. Last year’s tournament was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Available sponsorships range from tee/green signs to exclusive host sponsor.

Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Which one will you attend?

by Community Contributor • June 14, 2021 • Comments Off

There’s so much to learn about homeownership and it can feel overwhelming! Not for long! Our Virtual Homeownership Conference provides you with bitesize workshop sessions to get a clear and concise look at a range of different homeownership topics! Topics include mastering your credit, rent relief programs, mortgage options for homeowners, first-time homebuyer tips and tricks, down payment assistance programs and how to avoid foreclosure.

Eureka! Program Graduates Fifth Cohort of College-Bound Girls

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2021 • Comments Off

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria on Friday announced its fifth cohort of Eureka! program participants has graduated high school and is gearing up for college this fall.

The group of 13 extraordinary young women proudly accepted their diplomas this week and will be heading off to colleges across the state – from UC Berkeley, to SBCC, UCLA, and Chapman University – or moving into their careers.

“We are beyond proud to see this group of dedicated young women achieve this significant milestone and prepare for the next big step in their academic and professional careers,” said Jamie Collins, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “Our girls have pushed past significant obstacles – including the challenges of this unprecedented year – but their determination to creating a path for success never wavered. We know they will continue to carry the Strong, Smart and Bold values with them in this next stage and look forward to seeing their continued growth.”

CSUCI’s Basic Needs program gets a welcome $127,652 boost

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2021 • Comments Off

Before the pandemic, roughly 115 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students took advantage of the campus Basic Needs Program in 2018/2019. During the 2019/2020 academic year, that number more than doubled with 243 students using the program. About half of those 243 students contacted the Basic Needs program right after March 2020.

“Many of our students are in the types of work that was disproportionately influenced by the shutdown,” said Associate Dean of Students Chelsee Bente — who leads the Basic Needs Program. “The shutdown also impacted many of our student’s families who suddenly had a loss of income.”

Fortunately, CSUCI’s Basic Needs Program received a boost in the form of a $27,652.17 grant in April and another $100,000 in May from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, for a total of $127,652.17.

Bilingual commentary — Experiencing the “Dog Person” Life

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2021 • Comments Off

I have never owned a dog. I don’t plan on ever owning a dog. I am (obviously) not a “dog person.” Some mornings on my walks along the water at the marina (dogless, of course), I feel that I am in the minority. I must look like the “odd person,”—the outlier—without a dog.

But for a brief period yesterday evening, when my daughter invited me to go for a walk with her at the marina, I was able to experience the joys of the “dog person” life.

Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Summer Theatre Camp’

by Community Contributor • June 11, 2021 • Comments Off

Teatro de las Americas to present a “Summer Theatre Camp” Monday through Friday from 90 a.m. to noon, June 28 through July 9 (no camp July 5), at 321 W. 6th St., Oxnard

A Live Performance will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 9.

Open to your ages 7 to 15, with 16 students for the in-person camp.

Cost is $90, but scholarships are available.

United Way of Ventura County’s 2021 Stuff The Bus Campaign

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2021 • Comments Off

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies – studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among families that are homeless and low-income families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

It can cost as little as $11.00 to provide a full set of supplies for a student in need! Please consider sponsoring a student(s) with a complete package.

People’s Self-Help Housing — NeighborWorks Week 2021

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2021 • Comments Off

People’s Self-Help Housing is celebrating NeighborWorks Week alongside hundreds of NeighborWorks America organizations throughout the country. This week is aimed at highlighting neighborhood vitality and nationwide efforts in building strong communities.

In recognition of NeighborWorks Week, we invite you to watch a new videofrom the PSHH IDEA Commission to see how they are building strong communities through Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and most importantly, Action!

Ramping Up for 2021 Wildfire Season, Cal OES Deploys New Type VI Fire Engines to Los Angeles Area

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2021 • Comments Off

As California closes in on yet another wildfire season, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues its mission to support, strengthen, and supply local fire jurisdictions with the critical resources necessary to respond to emergencies and disasters.

Today, Cal OES announced the transfer of seven new Type VI fire engines to Los Angeles area fire jurisdictions as part of the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. Type VI fire engines are a widely used fire engine in wildland-urban interface fire response because of their versatility, maneuverability, off-road abilities, and fire suppression capabilities.

Combatting Teen Vaping is Focus of New Website

by Community Contributor • June 8, 2021 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Office of Education has launched a new website called The Triple Threat to Teen Health that’s aimed at combatting the serious problem of teen vaping. The website is available in English and Spanish at vaping.vcoe.org. “While many may think vaping is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, the most popular vaping products all contain nicotine and have a high potential for addiction,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “This new website gives parents, guardians, students and educators an important tool to learn about the real risks that vaping poses to our students,” he said.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Artist Michelle Jung is “Making Waves”

by Community Contributor • June 8, 2021 • Comments Off

Bay Area artist Michelle Jung is Making Waves at the Santa Paula Art Museum this summer! The artist has a particular fondness for the sea as she has lived near the coast—first east, then west—for most of her life. Making Waves is a large-scale, immersive presentation of seascape oil paintings that invites viewers to experience the beauty, energy and drama of the Pacific coast.

You’ll definitely want to see this stunning show in person, but like all of our current exhibits, Making Waves is also available to enjoy online.

VCCDC announces California State Treasurer, Fiona Ma as keynote speaker of June 26 virtual Homeownership Conference

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

We’re excited to announce California State Treasurer, Fiona Ma, as our Keynote Speaker at this year’s Homeownership Conference! Ma has had a renowned career in public service, having been involved with many initiatives and committees in California’s government. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state’s history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.

County of Ventura Human Services Agency Partners with SEEAG To Increase CalFresh Student Enrollment

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura Human Services Agency is partnering with Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) to increase CalFresh enrollment and food access among students and families served by SEEAG’s Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative (VCCWI). CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-incomes.

SEEAG’s VCCWI began in 2017. SEEAG staff members travel in an agricultural and nutritional-themed Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom van to Ventura County elementary schools to educate, inspire and empower children and their families to increase their consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Ventura County Class of 2021 Impresses and Inspires Amid Pandemic Challenges

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

After an entire school year in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last year’s drive-through graduation events are being replaced with in-person ceremonies – some of them even held indoors.

Like the class of 2020 before them, high school students in the graduating class of 2021 have shown incredible resilience and perseverance throughout the pandemic. They’ve adapted to distance learning and social distancing and the strange realities of returning to school during a global health emergency.

Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2021 • Comments Off

Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19

COVID Casts Stark Light on Structural Inequalities in California

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2021 • Comments Off

… “If everyone had had the same opportunities to shelter at home, use personal protective equipment, get tested, and see a doctor at the first possible symptoms, there would have been very little difference between the state’s R/E groups,” said David E. Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor of Medicine with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director of CESLAC.

The Latino death rate, for example, went from merely twice as high as the NHW death rate in May 2020, to nearly six times as high by April 2021. With some minor variations, all other non-white R/E groups showed similar, growing disparities, resulting in higher and higher death rates.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports COVID spending plan totals $373 million in support

by Community Contributor • June 3, 2021 • Comments Off

“The pandemic impacted just about every part of our community and economy,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “We budgeted and allocated funds in order to address multiple community health, social and economic impacts as well as basic needs.” The County’s COVID-19 Spending Plan encompasses costs incurred by the County from March 2020 through June 30, 2021. The plan is comprised of actual costs to-date and estimated costs through the end of June 2021 reported out now as the County reaches the end of the fiscal year.

People’s Self-Help Housing — Introducing Building Together | PSHH’s 2021 Annual Appeal

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Home is where it all begins. Health, well-being, and career success all stem from having a safe and supportive place to thrive. Every day at PSHH we are building so much more than housing, but we can’t do it without you. Join us in building vibrant communities, independence & resilience, and successful futures. Let’s all ‘Build Together’!