Category: Youth

40th Annual California Strawberry Festival to be held May 16-17

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Celebrating its 40th year, the California Strawberry Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001). The family-friendly event features Strawberry-themed favorites, including strawberry nachos, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry kabobs, strawberry popcorn, margaritas and more.

Festival goers can also enjoy nearly 150 arts and crafts vendors, an expanded Strawberryland for kids, live entertainment on three stages, carnival rides, and a “build-your-own” Strawberry Shortcake Experience.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA expands Summer camp opportunities; registration open

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2026 • Comments Off

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Signups for summer camp at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches are underway with camp locations at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village, Simi Valley Family YMCA day camp sites and at the Conejo Valley YMCA.

“We’re happy to bring summer camp back to the Conejo Valley YMCA site,” Katie Oberman, Yarrow Family YMCA child care senior program director. “It has a perfect outdoor space for games, water sports and nature hikes, and indoor spaces for STEM activities and arts and crafts.”

California Lutheran University student-athlete named to Allstate NACDA Good Works Team

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2026 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — California Lutheran University scholar-athlete Camden Hyde been named to the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter). The junior men’s basketball player is being honored by the Allstate National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA ) for his leadership in community service, academics and athletics. Annually, 60 student-athletes throughout the country are recognized for the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Bilingual report — February News from People’s Self-Help Housing

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2026 • Comments Off

Last month we were honored to receive an award from a regional organization focused on economic development.

As essential infrastructure, just like transportation, public health, water systems, and energy grids, housing underpins our economy and is the very foundation upon which every vibrant community is built.

But the persistent shortage of affordable homes continues to challenge our region.

805 UNCOCUFund — Two Violent Incidents in 30 Days — We Will Not Be Intimidated

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2026 • Comments Off

In less than 30 days, our community has witnessed yet another violent physical attack against individuals bearing witness to ICE activity in Santa Barbara County.

Ventura College to host ‘Decolonized: The Matriarchs,’ a powerful Black History Month performance on Feb. 25

by Community Contributor • February 23, 2026 • Comments Off

Created and directed by acclaimed choreographer and artistic leader Karen Parks, CEO and Artistic Director of Stagebound, Inc., Decolonized: The Matriarchs is a multidisciplinary performance that reclaims and elevates the Black female narrative through expressive movement, voice, and storytelling. Parks is widely recognized for her work exploring themes of identity, culture, and healing through the performing arts. Her work has been featured throughout California and beyond, engaging audiences in meaningful dialogue around history, resilience, and empowerment.

Union registered nurses across the country (including Ventura County) hold day of action TODAY to protest ICE as one of worst public health threats

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

Registered nurse members of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs, are naming federal immigration enforcement agencies as among the country’s top public health threats, and demanding through national coordinated protests on Thursday, Feb. 19 that Congress stop funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and move to abolish ICE for the health and safety of patients and communities. Nurses also blame hospital executives for failing to clearly side with nurses and immigrant patients by acting to keep ICE out of hospitals.

New affordable family and workforce housing developments advance in Unincorporated Ventura County (near Ojai) and Santa Barbara with McCarthy Companies

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

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.

Museum of Ventura County — Inside the Exhibition Opening + What’s Next

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

We welcomed hundreds of guests for an inspiring first look at Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback. This exhibition celebrates learning, community, humor, and cultural connection, values that shaped Taback’s work. Vibrant original posters and illustrations are on display, along with Taback’s Caldecott Medal and his design for the first McDonald’s Happy Meal box. The evening featured refreshments and live jazz by The Dennis Berger Trio, sponsored by the Ventura Music Festival.

WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:

UCSB — The Current — ‘Moving beyond money to measure the true value of Earth science information’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

Researchers have mapped out methods for assessing its societal benefits, an effort that could lead to more effective uses of remote sensing technology while increasing benefits to people at large.

Bilingual report — Wilderness Youth Project & Sea League launch ‘Big Blue Bridge’ Spring Break Camp in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Wilderness Youth Project (WYP) and Sea League are partnering this spring break to offer the Big Blue Bridge Spring Break Camp, a week-long program designed to build water safety, swim confidence, and belonging for 24 students, ages 6-12, with priority registration for low-income families from Franklin and Adelante Elementary Schools.

The camp will take place March 30–April 3 and combines WYP’s small-group, nature-based mentoring model with Sea League’s beginner-centered swim instruction at the Santa Barbara High School pool.

SBCC Financial Aid Fest on Feb. 25 offers students/community a helping hand to file their financial aid applications

by Community Contributor • February 19, 2026 • Comments Off

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).

El Concilio Family Services — Call for nominations

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2026 • Comments Off

El Concilio Family Services Announces Call for Nominations for the 36th Latino Leadership Awards Recognizing individuals, organizations, or businesses in Ventura County who have made exceptional contributions to the Latino community.

Click for more info and form.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB scientists bottle the sun with liquid battery’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2026 • Comments Off

A new bio-inspired molecule captures solar energy and releases it as heat on demand, outperforming lithium-ion batteries.

Ventura County Civic Alliance Livable Communities Newsletter – February 15, 2026

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2026 • Comments Off

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.

Women’s Fund in Santa Barbara County set to distribute $1,375,000 grants pool in 2026

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2026 • Comments Off

“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.”

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara names Foodbank of Santa Barbara County ‘Partner Organization of the Year’

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2026 • Comments Off

This annual award is selected by Housing Authority staff and recognizes a partner organization whose work has made the most meaningful, measurable difference for the people and communities the Authority serves.

“Stable housing is essential — but housing alone is not enough,” said Rob Fredericks, Executive Director/CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara. “Food security is absolutely foundational to health, stability, and dignity. The Foodbank’s work ensures that families, seniors, and individuals don’t have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. Their impact is profound, especially during times of economic uncertainty.”

ICE OUT OF (U.S. 101) 805 BRIDGE BRIGADE protest in Ventura/Santa Barbara counties to be held Feb. 14

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2026 • Comments Off

This Valentine’s Day, nine communities are gathering at local overpasses to peacefully declare their support for their immigrant neighbors, for democracy, and for the just America our country has the potential to be.

All events start at 11:00 am. Bring your signs and flags! Meet your neighbors and make new friends.

Here are the nine locations. (This post’s listed address is just for the Ventura site, as Mobilize only allows one location per post.)

805 UNCOCUFund — 2026: From Response to Resilience

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2026 • Comments Off

As we begin 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we have come — and where we are headed.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is this: we cannot rely on systems that were never designed to protect undocumented and mixed-status families. And yet, through collective leadership, love, and courage, our community continues to build what did not exist before.

At 805UndocuFund, we did not just respond to crisis in 2025 — we built power.

Museum of Ventura County — Reminder: Opening reception – Friday, Feb. 13

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2026 • Comments Off

Please join us February 13, from 5:30–7:30 PM for the opening reception of Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback.

SEEAG’s Free ‘Farm Day Every Day’ At Brokaw Nursery in Ventura – February 28

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2026 • Comments Off

Visitors will tour the nursery to get a behind-the-scenes look at how plants are grown and cared for. Brokaw Nursery produces over 300,000 plants, including avocados and fruit varieties, and exports them to farmers and landscapers locally and worldwide. Family-owned and in business for 60 years, Brokaw Nursery will share its expertise in avocado plants and nursery production.

United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program reaches major milestone: 1,000 people housed

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2026 • Comments Off

United Way of Ventura County’s United to End Homelessness (UTEH) Ventura County proudly announces a major milestone in its mission to address homelessness in our community. Since the founding of the Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) in
2019, 1,000 people have now been housed.

Prom Attire donations needed at Simi and Yarrow YMCAs

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2026 • Comments Off

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.

SYV People Helping People announces launch of Women’s Legacy of Giving

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2026 • Comments Off

The newly formed Women’s Legacy of Giving pools all member contributions with 100% of funds directly supporting People Helping People programs serving local children, families, and seniors.

Women are asked to contribute of $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 for annual membership in the Legacy of Giving. Each woman will then share an equal voice in collective funding decisions, regardless of her giving level.

Santa Barbara Education Foundation welcomes Vanessa Pelton as executive director

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2026 • Comments Off

Pelton joins SBEF as the organization celebrates its 40th year and will lead efforts to support nearly 12,000 students across the Santa Barbara Unified School District through programs that expand access to enrichment, innovation, and opportunity.

UCSB — ‘UCSB among the world’s most influential research universities for science impact’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • February 12, 2026 • Comments Off

The campus ranks first among U.S. public universities, third among all U.S. institutions and seventh worldwide for scientific impact.

UCSB — The Current — Special Edition: Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2026 • Comments Off

While social media addiction hasn’t been officially recognized as a mental health condition, it shows up in brain scans, according to Kylie Falcione, a graduate student at UCSB’s Media Neuroscience Lab.

SBMA announces Winter-Spring 2026 exhibitions

by Community Contributor • February 9, 2026 • Comments Off

In the new year, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art offers a sweeping look at how artists engage with time. Works grounded in personal histories, inherited traditions, and collective memory speak to the past while giving us new ways to access it in the present. Contemporary materials and lived experience illuminate the world as it is now, yet they also open space for reflection and reinterpretation. Digital experimentation and visionary forms gesture toward the future, and at the same time expand how we record, memorialize, and remember. Seen together, these exhibitions reveal art as a continuum—one in which past, present, and future coexist, overlap, and remain vividly alive today.

Moorpark College Foundation welcomes new board members in 2025/2026

by Community Contributor • February 9, 2026 • Comments Off

“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.”