The Ventura County Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan is a collaborative, countywide effort launched by the County of Ventura in partnership with House Farm Workers!, designed to understand and address the urgent housing needs of the county’s farmworker community – needs shaped by long-standing shortages, rising housing costs, and the essential role farm workers play in sustaining the region’s agricultural economy.
IN-PERSON: STOP GUESSING: UNDERSTAND YOUR BUSINESS NUMBERS WITH QUICKBOOKS REPORTS
April 21 @ 8:30 am
QuickBooks Online can generate dozens of reports, but which ones truly matter for running and growing your business? Join SCORE Ventura, City of Ventura, Accelerate CA and Economic Development Collaborative in this practical workshop, business owners will learn how to create and interpret the most important financial reports on QuickBooks Online. Whether you are new to QuickBooks or have been using it for years, understanding your financial reports is essential for making informed decisions and managing your business with confidence. Participants will explore a few of the most critical reports every business owner should review regularly and learn how to interpret the numbers behind them. Check-in: 8:00 am – Coffee and Pastries Provided; Event starts at 8:30 am. Address: Ventura City Hall | 501 Poli St, Ventura, CA 93001 | Community Room. #202. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Download the 2026 Economic Outlook Report presented at our April 14th VCTF event.
This comprehensive report is presented by Dr. Mark Schniepp from the California Economic Forecast.
Dear Friends of our Ventura County kids, Nearly 9,500 youth have been identified by the Ventura County Office of Education as homeless in Ventura County. Help us support local youth experiencing homelessness as they head back to school. Your contribution…
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP: AI FOR SMALL BUSINESS: 10 USE CASES YOU CAN APPLY THIS MONTH
April 17 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE, the City of Moorpark, the Economic Development Collaborative, and Accelerate CA for this information-packed workshop. Turn AI from buzzword into business results. Learn practical, low-cost tools and tips for marketing, sales, and operations, no IT or coding background needed. Leave with prompts, checklists and a 30-day action plan. Note: A free or paid Generative AI Account (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Co-Pilot) is required to get the most out of the hands-on portions of this workshop. Bring a fully charged laptop or device with your selected AI application installed and signed in to your account. Address: Moorpark City Hall | 323 Science Dr, Moorpark, CA 93021. The Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub (Accelerate CA Hub) is funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Hi, I’m Heather Williams, Chief Development Officer at the Museum of Ventura County.
First and foremost, thank you for your support of the Museum. It’s people like you who help keep our mission, vision, and purpose alive.
I wanted to reach out to introduce myself and our team. You may know our Barbara Barnard Smith CEO, Elena Brokaw, but you may not know us, the development team. We’re the ones who call to thank you for your donations, send your tax letters, answer your membership questions, and most importantly, build and sustain the funding plan for the Museum of Ventura County.
Our small but mighty team wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you. Each quarter, we’ll send an email like this one highlighting wins that you, our MVC community, made possible.
CAMARILLO — During this spring, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has already awarded $189,900 in scholarships for 71 students — 47 of whom currently attend Ventura County high schools. These scholarships reflect CSUCI’s continued investment in local students and their families, helping to ensure that a CSUCI education is affordable while supporting an educational experience shaped by close faculty mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities.
SANTA BARBARA — For Santa Barbara High School student Ofelia Jarabo, dance is more than just a performance. It’s a celebration of culture, history, and community. When she stepped into the role of president of the Baile Folklórico Club, she was determined to keep the tradition alive on campus.
But with the need for traditional skirts and transportation funding for performances, the challenge seemed overwhelming. That’s when Jarabo discovered the Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s Student Grants program.
Thanks to the grant, the club was able to purchase traditional skirts that not only enhance performances but also deepen students’ connection to their cultural heritage. For Jarabo, the impact goes beyond just costumes.
CESI’s 2026 conference, “California’s Housing Crisis: Roots of the Problem and What Lies Ahead,” is now fully available—bringing together opening remarks, cutting-edge research, a dynamic panel, and candid Q&A throughout.
Explore three short highlight videos tackling housing affordability, economic inequality, and the mounting pressures facing communities across California.
This is more than a recap—it’s a call to action. Join the conversation, challenge the status quo, and help drive the long-overdue change Californians deserve.
Help us meet this moment.
To defend climate progress on the Central Coast, we must raise $75,000 by May 15 — and your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous match from our Board and President’s Council.
Make your matched gift today ?
More than 50 years ago, an oil spill off our coast exposed the risks of fossil fuels — and led to the creation of the Community Environmental Council.
Today, we face renewed threats.
THOUSAND OAKS — Hope Gonzalez is the kind of student every institution strives to support – and donors like you make it possible. She launched her first business while still in high school and came to Cal Lutheran’s School of Management with the support of a generous scholarship. What followed is exactly what your support enables.
Hope did not limit her education to the classroom. She immersed herself in speaking events, took on leadership roles in student organizations, competed in high-stakes competitions, represented major brands as a campus ambassador, and participated in transformative field experiences. She seized every opportunity and turned them into momentum.
EN ESPAÑOL: PRESENCIAL: QUICKBOOKS ESENCIAL Y DESARROLLO DE HABILIDADES: TALLER INTERACTIVO PARA NEGOCIOS PRESENTADO POR LA CIUDAD DE OXNARD
9 de abril a las 9:00 am
Acompañe a la ciudad de Oxnard, al Colaborativo de Desarrollo Económico y a Accelerate CA en este taller práctico e interactivo, diseñado tanto para usuarios principiantes y usuarios expertos de QuickBooks en Oxnard. Si está comenzando desde cero o lleva años utilizando QuickBooks y desea perfeccionar sus habilidades, esta sesión abordará las funciones esenciales y explorará temas más avanzados en función de las preguntas de los participantes. Registro: 8:30 am. Dirección: Biblioteca Pública de Oxnard – Biblioteca Principal, 251 S A St, Oxnard, CA 93030. El programa Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub (Accelerate CA) está financiado por el Estado de California y administrado por el Defensor de la Pequeña Empresa de California (CalOSBA, por sus siglas en inglés). Precio: GRATIS.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA INSCRIBIRSE
We’re now accepting applications for the 2026 Dorfman Incubator Grants (DIG). Startups can apply for $5,000 to $50,000 in non-dilutive grant funding. Ideal candidates have a connection to Cal Lutheran as a student, alum, startup affiliated with Hub101 programs, employee or employer of Cal Lutheran students.
FUNDAMENTALS OF FOOD BUSINESSES
April 2 @ 12:00 pm
Fundamentals of Food Businesses gives an overview of the various food business structures. From Cottage Food Law (which allows preparing approved foods at home) to full-service restaurants and everything in between. This webinar will allow attendees to explore their ideas, consider different models for their food business dream, and see the steps for each, as well as the phasing from one to another. This webinar is for anyone interested in bringing a food product to market and entering the food industry. Offered as a Zoom meeting so that attendees can ask questions during the presentation. Price: FREE.
“As a safeguard to homeowner’s records, in 2013, the Ventura County Recorder’s office worked with the District Attorney’s office to identify the document types criminals typically use in committing real estate fraud. We began mailing out Fraud Prevention Advisory Notices to property owners immediately after one of those documents was recorded in our office, and we were one of the first counties in the entire state to do so,” said Michelle Ascencion, County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters. “We now mail on average over 4,000 notices a year.”
VENTURA — With handmade ceramic bowls and homemade soup in hand, 5th graders at Ventura Charter School raised $1,190 for local farmworker families on February 6th, capping a semester spent studying the very community they were raising money for. More than 100 guests attended the third annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser, where students served homemade soup in handcrafted ceramic bowls that guests purchased to take home, raising funds for the cause. They also hosted an art gallery of human rights posters and spoke directly with guests about why the work mattered. All proceeds were donated to Friends of Field Workers and House Farm Workers Now, two organizations supporting the Ventura County farmworker community.
OJAI — Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (Cabrillo EDC) announced today the successful closing of financing for Camino De Salud, a 49-unit supportive affordable housing development in the unincorporated Ojai Valley community of Mira Monte. Located at 11432 North Ventura Avenue, Camino De Salud will reserve half of its units for residents who are experiencing homelessness and have been high health users. The remaining units will serve low-income residents earning 50 percent or less of the area median income.
“The data on housing affordability in Ventura County is sobering, but every statistic represents a real person striving for stability and dignity,” said Victoria Brady, Chief Executive Officer. “Our work is about creating places where people can access the care, support and opportunity they need to rebuild their lives. That has always been the heart of Cabrillo EDC.”
Encouraging progress in Ventura County. The 2026 Point-in-Time Count shows a 28% reduction in homelessness since 2023—a meaningful step forward driven by investments in housing, prevention, and coordinated community efforts.
Behind every number in this report is a person—someone whose life is changing for the better. This progress reflects a strong, community-wide commitment to expanding housing, strengthening prevention, and meeting people where they are. We’re grateful to the many partners making this work possible.
While encouraged by these results, we remain focused on the goal: ensuring every person in Ventura County has stability, dignity, and a place to call home.
Click here to learn more.
Imagine a government that insists that we make America great again by driving updated, fancy versions of 1950s vehicles. By sabotaging the push to convert our transportation to electric-powered vehicles, the current administration in Washington, D.C., has, in effect, handed the keys of a prosperous kingdom to international competitors.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not just a “green fad” dreamt up by radical liberals. While the U.S. demurs, the rest of the world realizes that the future of the planet, and of industry, rests on its ability to advance in the production of reasonably priced EVs for the masses.
Will you join us to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors? Make your gift today !80 for $80
The Ventura County Community Foundation is collaborating with over 150 community partners for our Highest-Quality Early Childhood Education initiative in Santa Paula, known as the “Isabella Project.” We invite you to learn more about the different committee members and groups dedicated to removing all barriers to accessing highest-quality early childhood education in our community.
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation (SBCHF) held its annual Party of the Year on March 7, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta. With more than 500 guests in attendance, the black-tie event raised over $810,000 in support of Cottage Children’s Medical Center.
The Party of the Year recognizes healthcare professionals and celebrates donors whose generosity strengthens high?quality pediatric care across the region. The event’s program featured remarks from Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich, the Party of the Year event co-chairs; Eric Seale, Chair of the Cottage Health Board of Directors; Scott Wester, President and CEO of Cottage Health; and Dr. Miriam Parsa, Chief Pediatric Medical Officer for Cottage Children’s Medical Center. Guests also enjoyed an enchanting performance by State Street Ballet.
To complement the hundreds of FREE resources available through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Verizon, in partnership with LISC, is awarding $5,000 grants to 25 small businesses based in California to help them sustain and grow their businesses. The grant will be awarded directly to selected business owners and does not need to be repaid.
Who Can Apply?
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment and strategic importance to the state or region.
VENTURA — The County of Ventura and the Ventura County Continuum of Care have been awarded $5.6 million through Round 6 of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, a statewide effort to support regional strategies that prevent and end homelessness. The award was announced on March 2 by Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The County of Ventura was among 20 regions statewide included in this latest round of awards.
Ahh… the sweet smell of almost-spring air, and fresh paint, is here!
Over the past several weeks, our spaces have had quite the makeover. New floors, refreshed walls, updated furnishings, and reimagined workspaces. It has been a major overhaul, made possible by the final funds from the Department on Aging’s Bridge to Recovery grant- resources originally designated to help organizations like ours strengthen infection control and safety in the wake of COVID (ie. removing carpet and fabric surfaces, improving airflow and spacing… yes, please!).
VENTURA — Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Throughout February to April 30, 2026, trained VITA volunteer tax preparers will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $69,000 are eligible to use the free services.
SANTA BARBARA — Looking out at a crowd of students gathered with their advisors and parents, Santa Barbara Education Foundation Board Member Isis Castañeda captured the spirit of the evening in a few simple words: “It’s about the student-driven ideas.”
On Tuesday, March 3rd, high school students from across the Santa Barbara Unified School District filled the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library to celebrate the projects they designed and led through the Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s Student Grants program.
IN-PERSON EVENT: SMALL BUSINESS START-UP BASICS
March 25 @ 8:30 am
Join SCORE, City of Thousand Oaks, Economic Development Collaborative and Accelerate CA in this information-packed workshop that will help you assess whether starting a small business is right for you and consider the various options for starting a business, legal structures, and business plan basics. Address: City of Thousand Oaks, Oak & Park Room, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. The Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hub (Accelerate CA Hub) is funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA seeks sponsors for its 27th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is on Thursday, May 7, at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings together all faiths to pray for friends, family, government leaders, the nation and the world. The theme this year is “Hope & Peace.”
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation brought together more than 100 community leaders, donors, and advocates at its “Celebration of Success” on the Ventura College campus—an afternoon that honored 15 outstanding “Pirates of Distinction,” and issued a call to action to complete its $7 million “Invest in Success” fundraising campaign.
“My husband and I (and our family) were truly inspired by the quality of care and the number of lives touched by SBNC. It is the community’s “little engine that could,” powered by dedicated physicians and staff who lead with compassion and respectfully treat everyone who crosses their threshold,” said Monica Wyatt. “We were deeply moved by how seamlessly SBNC is woven into the fabric of this community – a place where families can access care close to home, where children and seniors are treated with dignity, and where high-quality healthcare is available to all, regardless of income or race.”
GOLETA — LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner. celebrated its 55th anniversary as a nonprofit — and 50 years of providing high-quality childcare — at the 2026 LEAP Awards Brunch on Saturday, February 28, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The event raised $81,715 to support LEAP’s programs and services for children and families across Santa Barbara County.
Help support THE non-profit organization
that advocates tirelessly for you, your business,
and the residents of Ventura County
For the 12th consecutive year, the City of Ventura earned budget awards from both the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). CSMFO presented the Operating Budget Meritorious Award for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, and GFOA honored the City with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the organization’s highest recognition.
IN-PERSON EVENT: FROM SKILLED EMPLOYEE TO TEAM LEADER: SUPERVISORY & LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS
February 25 @ 8:00 am
You were promoted because you’re great at your work. Now you’re responsible for making sure others do it well, and that requires a completely different skill set. Join the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and the Economic Development Collaborative for a focused, high-impact course designed for skilled employees who have recently moved into a supervisory role. This course bridges the gap between “doing the work” and “leading the work,” helping participants transition from operator to process leader. Check-in: 8:00 – 8:30 am. Address: Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Office, 3rd Floor, 2901 North Ventura Road, Oxnard. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.
Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting.
VENTURA COUNTY — McCarthy Companies has been selected to provide Preconstruction and General Contracting services for two new affordable housing developments, bringing a total of 112 new affordable units to the Central Coast counties.
SANTA BARBARA — Financial Aid Offices from across Santa Barbara (including Santa Barbara City College, UC Santa Barbara and Westmont College) will participate in a hands-on event to help local students and their families complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application). SBCC’s Financial Aid Fest will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, at SBCC’s East Cliff Campus (details below).
IN-PERSON EVENT: CITY OF MOORPARK: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
February 19 @ 8:00 am
Join the City of Moorpark and Economic Development Collaborative for a 3-part series to help business owners improve legal compliance, financial planning and marketing. Participants will receive hands-on, practical training to achieve real results, such as official registration, funding readiness, and customer growth. This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both languages. Address: Moorpark City Council Chamber, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
The Ventura County Civic Alliance’s most recent State of the Region Report released in November 2025 omitted our Key Statistics section. The data for that section comes from the U.S. Census website which was unavailable during the government shutdown in October 2025.
Our first article, based on data since collected from the U.S. Census American Community Survey 5 years (Table S0101), will give you our current status and highlights three cities where population growth is bucking the downward county trend.
The last two articles focus on the needs of our population and the nonprofits that serve them.
“This large grants pool not only reflects the remarkable generosity of our 1,450+ members but also their commitment to our community,” says Women’s Fund Board Chair Carolyn Jabs. “It also demonstrates the power of collective giving. By combining our contributions, we magnify the impact of every member’s donation so we can give significant grants to nonprofits with projects that benefit vulnerable women, children, and families.”
WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Simi Valley Family YMCA and Yarrow Family YMCA, branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA, are partnering with Simi Valley Soroptimist to collect clean, gently used or new formal wear and accessories. These items will be available at the YMCA’s third annual Prom Closet, where high school students can shop for free prom attire.
Items will be accepted through April 9 at each of the YMCAs.
IN-PERSON EVENT: CITY OF MOORPARK: READY • SET • GROW: SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS WORKSHOP SERIES
February 12 and 19 @ 8:00 am
Join the City of Moorpark and Economic Development Collaborative for a 3-part series to help business owners improve legal compliance, financial planning and marketing. Participants will receive hands-on, practical training to achieve real results, such as official registration, funding readiness, and customer growth. This 3-workshop series will be conducted in English, with the option to answer questions in Spanish. Hands-on materials will be provided in both languages. Address: Moorpark City Council Chamber, 323 Science Drive, Moorpark, CA 93021. Price: FREE.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
“The addition of Jacky Holler, Dr. Mark Mitchelson and Tracey Mateko strengthens the Foundation’s leadership with expertise spanning finance, healthcare, operations and community engagement,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “Their collective experience and dedication will help advance our mission to support Moorpark College students and programs.”
OXNARD — The West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the City of Port Hueneme. Through the partnership, WVCBA will help promote Port Hueneme businesses and City initiatives, host networking events and business forums in the community, and provide advocacy on issues that affect local employers.
“Having many of the larger businesses in Port Hueneme already as WVCBA members, we’re excited to introduce ourselves the business community as a whole and be a resource for them, as well as establishing a deeper connection with the City of Port Hueneme,” says WVCBA President & CEO Andy Conli. “Not only does this partnership expand our reach, it reinforces our position as advocates for the business community and regional economy.”
Join the City of Moorpark, Accelerate CA and EDC for this workshop series, which has been developed to help advance business formalization, financial resilience and strategic visibility among small businesses in Ventura County. It addresses core areas where entrepreneurs often face barriers—legal compliance, financial planning, and marketing execution—offering hands-on, actionable training that leads to real outcomes: formal registration, funding readiness and customer growth.
