VENTURA COUNTY – The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) was recently awarded a $60,000 grant by the Citi Foundation to support its Changing Lives through Homeownership Program which provides homebuyer education and counseling services to low-to-moderate income families in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
The Citi Foundation Grant will allow VCCDC to provide 700 low-to-moderate income families the access to educational workshops and one-on-one counseling services that will help them navigate through the homeownership process which can be complex, frustrating and intimidating. The participating families will work with VCCDC’s Certified Counselors to establish a solid action plan that will prepare them towards achieving homeownership and provide a support system that includes education and counseling services before, during and after the home-buying process. In addition, counselors will work with families that are not ready to purchase by providing financial coaching to help them improve their financial capability, and learn how to build and preserve assets over the course of their lives.
“Many of our families are faced with obstacles and barriers that make homeownership and financial stability a distant dream. The Citi Foundation grant will make it possible for VCCDC to get that dream within reach of the families that we assist. We are very grateful for Citi’s continued partnership and support,” says Bertha Garcia, VCCDC’s Executive Director.
With the support of Citi and the Citi Foundation over the past 15 years, VCCDC has been able to provide homeownership education and counseling services to over 9,000 local families. In addition to financial support, Citi employees have volunteered their time and expertise as guest speakers for VCCDC’s adult and youth financial empowerment workshops. VCCDC’s collaboration with Channel Islands High School and Citi, made this year’s Teach a Child to Save Day a success in which 129 high school students received financial education. VCCDC is very proud of Citi’s Vice President & Community Development Officer, Rashi Kallur’s involvement in its Board of Directors. With Ms. Kallur’s direction and support VCCDC has been successful with the development and implementation of its 2011-2013; 2014-2016 Strategic Plans.
For more information about the Citi Foundation Grant, please contact Keily Victoria at (805) 273-7800.
About the Citi Foundation: The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. The foundation invests in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi
Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit http://www.citigroup.com/citi/foundation/index.htm
About VCCDC: Since its founding in 2001 as a local non-profit organization, VCCDC works to increase homeownership and economic stability in underserved communities of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. VCCDC is dedicated to ensuring that homebuyers are prepared for homeownership with the support of certified professionals who provide education and guidance, assisting with planning and problem solving. All VCCDC staff is bilingual, proudly serving the community. VCCDC accomplishes its work in partnership with other community organizations, and is financially supported by private and public funds. Visit us at www.vccdc.org and www.facebook.com/vccdc