This month we celebrate the accomplishments of our incredible Camino Scholars graduates! Read more about their next steps and make your gift to support future generations of students.
June News from People’s Self-Help Housing
Category: Youth
Ventura College Foundation Receives Nearly $185,000 Gift From Aurora Loss Estate To Support Ventura College Nursing Department And Its Students
Ventura College Foundation, which provides financial support to students and programs of Ventura College, received $184,105 from the estate of long-time Ventura College supporter Aurora Loss who passed away in April 2020 at age 102. Loss has a 20-year history of giving to Ventura College Foundation to fund scholarships for Ventura College nursing students.
Loss’ donation is divided equally with $92,052 designated for the establishment of the Aurora Loss Scholarship Fund endowment and $92,052 to the college’s nursing department for the purchase of medical training equipment. The scholarships will be managed and awarded through the Ventura College Foundation.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Excessive Heat Warning
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.
Museum of Ventura County — Children’s Garden Dedication + 562nd Air Force Band Performance + New Events
Join us in the Boroughs Children’s Garden at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, June 19th from 11am—2pm to celebrate local artist MB Hanrahan’s new Chumash Village mural. Admission is free!
CSUCI Receives $15 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett
California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has received a $15 million gift from MacKenzie Scott and her husband Dan Jewett in recognition of the University’s commitment to equity and inclusion, the social mobility of its students, and its overall contribution to the greater good of communities, the region and nation.
“This gift represents the largest one-time gift in the history of our institution, and it could not have come at a more critical time in our history,” said CSUCI Interim President Richard Yao, Ph.D. “The generosity of MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett is a testament to the data that reflects the incredible work that our faculty, staff, and administration are doing every day to eliminate equity gaps and increase the social mobility of our students by creating powerful academic and co-curricular programs that support student retention and success. We could not be more grateful for their generosity as we recognize the transformative power that this level of support has for our students and campus.”
Santa Barbara City College and the SBCC Foundation Announce Largest Gift in 112-Year History
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the SBCC Foundation announced today that they have received a $20,000,000 gift from MacKenzie Scott. As a community college dedicated to the success of every student, SBCC will use this unrestricted gift to advance its mission in bold new ways. In her post announcing the gift (one of 276 totaling $2,739,000,000), Scott wrote. “Higher education is a proven pathway to opportunity, so we looked for 2- and 4-year institutions successfully educating students who come from communities that have been chronically underserved.”
Santa Barbara City College — The Bridge — June 2021
On June 3, KCBX public radio aired a report by Beth Thorton, who interviewed SBCC Foundation Grant Director Rachel Johnson and Dr. Adam Green of the Biological Sciences Department about the nearly $100,000 grant the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the SBCC Foundation for an ecological and edible garden project. The project will connect students and residents to a network of edible gardens, and foster a connection to local ecosystems. Listen to the five-minute broadcast here…
Family Service Agency Launches Fatherhood Education Program
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.
CSUCI Professor of Physics and self-described “gypsy” will travel to Indonesia on a Fulbright scholarship
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Professor of Applied Physics Geoff Dougherty, Ph.D., will teach in Indonesia during the 2021/2022 academic year on a Fulbright Senior Scholarship. It’s another chapter in a career that has taken Dougherty around the world.
“I’ve been a bit of a gypsy since I turned 18,” Dougherty said. “I was born in Northern Ireland, I went to England and did a Ph.D., a post-doc in Switzerland, then went to teach in Malaysia.”
Dougherty will spend six months in Indonesia teaching at two universities: Diponegoro University, a public university in Semerang in Central Java; and Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available for 7th Annual Yarrow Family YMCA Golf Classic
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.
CSUCI Associate VP for Student Affairs earns regional award
Rarely does a student affairs administrator face a series of crises quite like two fires and mass shooting that occurred in late 2018. But that’s one of the moments that tested Cindy Derrico, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI).
“We had to safely evacuate the students off campus and quickly. Cindy was able to prepare them for that moment and as I sat with her in the Emergency Operations Center, I witnessed her grace under pressure while making the impossible happen,” said Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Toni DeBoni. “She had this elegant way of gliding through a difficult experience demonstrating confidence, compassion and optimism.”
Eureka! Program Graduates Fifth Cohort of College-Bound Girls
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.”
Teatro de las Américas to present ‘Summer Theatre Camp’
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.
SEEAG Announces 2021 Dates For 3rd Annual Santa Barbara County and 9th Annual Ventura County Farm Days
After a year of virtual events, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) will be holding its annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day and Ventura County Farm Day in-person this fall. Santa Barbara Farm Day is September 18. Ventura County Farm Day is November 6. This year’s Farm Day theme is “Know The Essential Hands That Feed You.”
UCSB — The Current — ‘Promise and Persistence’ and more news
Promise Scholar and Guardian Scholar graduates reflect on obstacles overcome, goals met and big plans for the future.
United Way of Ventura County’s 2021 Stuff The Bus Campaign
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.
CSUCI among the top 30 ‘Most Promising Places To Work In Student Affairs’ for the seventh year in a row
Hiring and maintaining a diverse staff and making sure all of their voices are heard are some of the main reasons CSU Channel Islands’ (CSUCI) Division of Student Affairs has been named one of the “2021 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” for the seventh consecutive year.
The list of universities and colleges across the nation that made the top 30 will be published in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education on June 10. Diverse has been releasing the Most Promising list for eight consecutive years.
Actualización de la vacuna COVID-19 el 8 de junio de 2021
Desde la última actualización del 3 de junio de 2021, hay 93 nuevos casos de COVID-19 y 13,994 pruebas adicionales. Ha habido 2 muertes adicionales. Nuestro más sentido pésame a los seres queridos de los fallecidos.
Combatting Teen Vaping is Focus of New Website
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.
UCSB — The Current — Virtually Finished
Campus will graduate 6,893 students for 2020-2021; celebrations will include Grad Walk and a virtual event featuring Oprah Winfrey.
County of Ventura Human Services Agency Partners with SEEAG To Increase CalFresh Student Enrollment
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.
United Way of Ventura County — Imagine what we can do together
This past year was a very challenging time for our community and country. But the challenges we faced also provided us with tremendous opportunities for growth. In a few weeks, we will conclude our fiscal year. It has been one of the most difficult in our 76-year history, but I’ve been continually reminded how resilient our staff, donors, and community partners are and how their passion is changing lives. Lives like those of Annalisa and her children.
The Ventura County Class of 2021 Impresses and Inspires Amid Pandemic Challenges
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.
Oxnard College Raises Pride Flag Above Campus to Honor Pride Month
In honor of Pride Month, Oxnard College became Ventura County’s first higher-education institution to raise the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag over its campus. The flag-raising ceremony took place on June 1 and was in collaboration with the Diversity Collective, Ventura County’s LGBTQ Oxnard chapter. The flag will fly through June.
“If America stands for anything, it stands for the ideal of liberty and justice for all,” shared Luis Sanchez, president of Oxnard College. “Oxnard College welcomes students from all backgrounds and identities, and we proudly raise the Pride flag above our campus as a symbol of our commitment to equality for all human beings and a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community.”
Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19
COVID Casts Stark Light on Structural Inequalities in California
… “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 COVID-19 Update for June 3, 2021
Gabriel Ramirez served as a Disaster Service Worker and is now returning entirely to his duties at the Public Works Agency as an Engineering Tech, where he focuses on research and development in the areas of geographic Information systems, computer programming, remote sensing, and video development.
He has been an important part of COVID-19 response including supervising a testing site at the start of the pandemic. As a videographer, Gabriel has also been helping to share important messages with our diverse community in Ventura County. He is pictured above filming Euclides del Moral, head of the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, encouraging the community to get vaccinated.
We thank County Disaster Service Workers, like Gabriel, who have helped us get through the pandemic. We are so grateful for their service to our community.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports COVID spending plan totals $373 million in support
“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.
Community Market at Oxnard College to Reopen June 6
The Community Market at Oxnard College, which operates every Sunday on the Oxnard College campus, will reopen June 6. Shopping hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 150 vendors selling merchandise and produce; food trucks are also onsite.
The Community Market is located on the Oxnard College campus, 4000 South Rose Ave., Oxnard.
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Walk-In Vaccination Opportunities & June 15th Changes
Child care is critical to Santa Barbara County’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has highlighted how child care is a pillar of our national and local infrastructure, and has exposed unsustainable vulnerabilities and inequities that existed pre-pandemic. Santa Barbara County’s already fragile child care system needs a stronger infrastructure to ride out and recover from this pandemic as well as to ensure preparedness for the next emergency.
County of Ventura — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 1, 2012
Patty Zoll, from the county’s Human Resources Department, was among the amazing team of Disaster Service Workers (pictured above) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds COVID-19 vaccine clinic until May 10. Like all Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), she paused her regular work in Training and Development to respond to the pandemic. When the days were heavy, she reminded herself that DSWs are a part of history in helping Ventura County access vaccines and end the COVID-19 pandemic. She is pictured here with the DSW crew from the Fairgrounds that became “like family.”
Museum of Ventura County — New Outdoor Program — Register for ‘Mindfulness @ The Museum”
Join us this summer for Mindfulness at the Museum, new weekly free wellness classes outside in the gardens at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.
You can participate at the Museum of Ventura County (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Thursdays from 4—5pm and at the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) on Saturdays from 10—11am in Santa Paula.
These classes provide fun and free activities for individuals and families. Beginners are encouraged to participate. All classes are free! Classes are limited and registration is required. MVC members get priority access.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Member Laura Flores Part of Virtual Graduation with Vice President Kamala Harris
Laura Flores, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member and Carpinteria High School senior, was one of 100 students across the country who were invited to participate in a virtual graduation ceremony with Vice President Kamala Harris. The prime-time special aired May 23 on CNN.
Flores was one of three Girls Inc. seniors — all Teen Advocacy Council members — to participate and represent their fellow Girls Inc. members who are graduating from high school this year.
She was recently selected as a finalist for Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, and was recognized as a 2021 Girls Inc. National Scholar earlier this year. Ranked in the top 10% of her class, she graduates Carpinteria High with a 4.5 GPA and 25 units completed at Santa Barbara City College.
Calls Mount for Advance Warning of Ag Pesticide Spray
Californians in farmworker communities gathered Thursday online as well as in-person, calling on the state and county governments to web-post advance warning of agricultural pesticide use, citing the known health impacts of pesticide exposure and the tendency of pesticides to drift far from where they are applied. Currently, no notice is provided to the public. Advocates say that knowing in advance about hazardous chemical use near homes and schools would enable residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families from harm.
Bilingual report — Clínica de vacunación móvil en Paso Robles 28 de mayo 2021
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 27, 2021
As of May 27, 2021, the COVID-19 email updates will be sent on Tuesdays and Thursdays or when there is a significant COVID-19 announcement. COVID-19 metrics continue to be updated daily at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.
Meet the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year
Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Mia Rogers from Glen City Elementary School in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Rogers and her students found out about the honor today when her family and local dignitaries made a surprise visit to her classroom.
Rogers currently teaches second grade at Glen City Elementary. Her principal, Dr. Lydia Olivo, said Rogers takes a gentle but effective approach to ensuring each students’ success. “Succeeding is not an option for students in Mrs. Rogers’ class; it’s a given. She knows what each student is capable of, helps them gain confidence and pushes them beyond their current instructional level.”
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 26, 2021
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Robotic Pet Companion Program offers people experiencing isolation and loneliness a comforting pet companion that mirrors many of the behaviors of a real animal. Those who have received the pets say they’ve noticed a decrease in depression symptoms, an increase in happiness, and improved sleep.
Do you know an older adult or person with a disability who is experiencing depression?
The VCAAA’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives, or PEARLS, is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression. PEARLS brings high-quality care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults 60 and older. For more information visit https://www.vcaaa.org/our-services/social-services-caregiving/ or call 805-477-7300.
Ventura College Foundation Distributes Over $640,000 In Scholarships
The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year.
Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships.
“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Scholarship recipients are a wonderful example of the drive and commitment that our students show every day. Education is the gift that can pull families out of poverty, establish new futures, and launch dreams. We have been fortunate to be able to continue our mission during COVID to foster and enhance the education of Ventura College students. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and community members who are giving the gift of education by making these scholarships possible.”
Mary Maranville, SEEAG Founder & CEO, Is 2021 Women’s Economic Ventures Spirit of Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Award Winner
Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), received the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for Nonprofits. Each year, WEV celebrates outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in 10 industry categories. The awards were announced during a live virtual ceremony on May 21. Over 150 business leaders and community members attended.
“The SOE Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and honor these amazing women for the hard work they have put in to keep their businesses thriving. This year’s winners are even more inspirational when you factor in the challenges presented throughout the past year,” said Kathy Odell, CEO of WEV.