Ventura County Community Development Corporation — VCCDC Community Matters Newsletter – August 2021

August 2021

We sat down with our very valued long-time client and volunteer, Yolanda Duarte, and asked her about her journey with VCCDC. Take a look at her experience below!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Yolanda and I am a single mom. I’ve been living here in California for 24 years and my dream has always been to own a home. VCCDC helped me to achieve that dream!

How did you find VCCDC?

I was looking for somebody to help me as I had just experienced a foreclosure and needed a LOT of work to improve my credit score. When I found VCCDC online and contacted them, they guided me to take their education class and connected me with a Homeownership Specialist, Gaby, to coach me on how to improve my credit. After a lot of hard work getting my credit back up and finding down payment assistance it felt so amazing to learn that I could qualify for a loan for my own condo in an area I had wanted to live in for a long time. I know that without them, I couldn’t have done it.

What made you sign up to volunteer with VCCDC?

I’ve been volunteering with VCCDC for 7 years now. The reason I do it is because without them, I couldn’t have achieved my dream of owning my condo. Plus, it’s my way of saying to the community that it is possible to achieve your goal with their help. I really want to encourage everyone that this is real and it works. People are so skeptical of free programs but I want people to know that VCCDC is there to help.

How has your life changed since working with VCCDC?

When we became homeowners our lives changed, especially my son’s. His self-esteem improved so much at school when he could be proud of living in our new condo. Honestly, my self esteem changed too because I felt like I had accomplished a goal I had for years. It really changed our lives for good!

Do you know someone who is dreaming of homeownership for their family? Don’t let them pass up this opportunity!

Gaby and Francine, our Homeownership Specialists, run our coaching program at VCCDC and will be the people you interact with as you set personal financial and homeownership goals.

Together, you will cover aspects such as improving credit, reducing debt, increasing savings and customized budgeting through one-on-one coaching and group education.

They complete continuing education programs each year to maintain relevant certifications and stay up to date on industry regulations so that you can be confident you are getting the very best advice.

We are excited to announce that VCCDC has been awarded $330,000 through the CDFI Rapid Response Fund. CDFI RRP awards reach a wide variety of low-income communities across the United States impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In serving places that the financial sector historically hasn’t served well, CDFIs lift our whole economy up. We know that for every dollar injected into a CDFI, it catalyzes eight more dollars in private-sector investment, meaning that today’s announcement might lead to an additional $10 billion in investment,” said Secretary Janet Yellen. “The President and the Vice President ran on a very ambitious agenda – ‘Build Back Better,’ unwinding systemic racism, creating an economy that works for everyone. I believe this is what that looks like in practice. By channeling more capital into CDFIs, we are translating those ideals into reality.”

The CDFI RRP grant funds will be used to support our financial products and services at VCCDC. The CDFI Fund designed the program to disburse the funds rapidly in light of the nationwide economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are so proud to be marking our 20th year of transforming lives through homeownership. Many people and organizations have worked tirelessly over the years to build the VCCDC we know today. We will be featuring some of our key supporters to celebrate their contribution to VCCDC!

Ernest Baskette

Honoring our longest running Board Member, Ernest Baskette.

Serving our Board of Directors from 2002-2017 as Treasurer and Chair of several sub-committees, Ernest’s personal and professional mission was to affect transformative repositioning of the economic status of families and the revitalization of the communities in which they reside.

“With compassion and expertise, Ernest helped VCCDC achieve new levels of understanding and commitment to community development, coupled with the lens of a vibrant, 21st century model,” said Executive Director Bertha Garcia. “His contributions as a board member and volunteer will be remembered for years to come, and his impact left a legacy in many communities across America. We are very honored to name the Excellence in Community Support Award on his behalf,” she added.

Our 9th annual Homeownership Conference last month was a huge success! We were thrilled to have over 1,000 people in attendance learning all that they could from our speakers and experts. With over 100,000 online interactions, our virtual platform created an ideal space for networking and connecting with businesses and like-minded individuals across Southern California. We’re already looking forward to our 10th annual conference next year!

Thank you for joining us!

Meet Sylvia Schnopp, our new Fund Development Director! We are thrilled to have her on the team. Her experience, passion and enthusiasm will help us build our resources to meet the growing need for homeownership support in our community. To get to know her a little, read on!

“I’m Sylvia Muñoz Schnopp and happy to be the new Director of Fund Development at VCCDC. As a native of Oxnard, my family’s roots in this area can be traced to the early 1900s. I grew up in Ventura County and attended local schools, so I consider myself very blessed to have been able to raise my family in the area. Most recently I served 12 years on the Port Hueneme City Council, which included three terms as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, respectively. As a policy leader, my decisions helped transform lives through community initiatives including enhanced infrastructure investments, revenue growth, community engagement, and public safety.”

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Join our celebration! Help sponsor VCCDC’s 20th Anniversary “Leading People Home” special event on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 4-9 p.m. at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. Our event includes award presentations honoring individuals by acknowledging three original VCCDC members who helped frame and shape our work: Rodney Fernandez, Mike McGuire, and Ernest Baskette.

Don’t miss out – your commitment includes recognition and key exposure at the event as you continue to be a part of transforming lives through homeownership with us.

Register your event support by clicking the button below or email Sylvia Schnopp, VCCDC’s Fund Development Director, at sschnopp@vccdc.org.

Great news! Rents are now covered at 100%. California has increased rental assistance payments to 100% of unpaid rent, making landlords whole and keeping tenants housed. Payments are for unpaid and future rent payments for California income-eligible renters and their landlords affected by COVID-19. Critical eviction protections have also been extended through September 30, 2021, to help keep Californians housed.

If you need help paying past due or upcoming rent or utilities, you may be eligible for assistance.

Apply today at HousingIsKey.com or call VCCDC at 805-273-7800 to get in-person or phone assistance with your application.

Are you an employee of a small business without access to a retirement savings program? California employers are now required to offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan or provide access to the State’s CalSavers Program.

Join our online workshop on August 25th at 6pm to find out how this program can make saving possible for you!

With guest speaker from the California State Treasurer Fiona Ma’s Office.

“With California’s size and diversity, this pioneering program represents a major milestone—for California and the entire nation…CalSavers solidifies our position as a leader in growing the national movement to help all Americans retire with dignity.” – Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer

Don’t you wish there was one place where you could get all the homebuying information you need before taking that first step towards the BIGGEST purchase of your life?! Good news – VCCDC is that one-stop-shop where you can get all the homebuying basics directly from experts in the industry!

Our Mission:

“To strengthen and sustain vibrant communities by empowering and enabling low-to-moderate income individuals and families to build wealth through education and homeownership with a primary focus on serving low-to-moderate income clients”.

All loans subject to approval. Certain conditions & fees apply. This is not an offer to extend credit to any individual who may be entitled to a more complete disclosure per RESPA, TILA, HOEPA or any other more applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation. Rates, terms, fees, products, programs and equity requirements are subject to change without notice. For qualified borrowers only. Down payment assistance available for eligible first time homebuyers, not all applicants will qualify for all sources of down payment. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another brokerage. VCCDC is a mortgage broker licensed with the California Dept. of Real Estate #01521885; NMLS #347041