Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
“I dwell in Possibility/A fairer House than Prose” – Emily Dickinson
In moments like these, I find myself turning to the arts to fuel my soul and lift my spirit. This morning, I found comfort in the words of Emily Dickinson’s poem “I dwell in Possibility.” In just a few short lines, Dickinson reminds us to choose hope, the key to attracting goodness into our shared world. Her words feel like a call to action, inviting us to give what we can, to reach out to one another, and to remember that Possibility is a place we can choose to live.
Every once in a while, I forget and begin to feel small in the face of the challenges ahead. But our VCCF family, time and again, shows up and reminds me of the incredible power we have when we act with love and purpose—together.
My husband often says the work we do at the community foundation is like making stone soup, a reference to the Tom Chapin song inspired by European folklore. It tells of a stranger who comes to town hungry and convinces the children to help him make soup from just a few stones. As the pot begins to boil, he suggests it might taste even better with a soup bone…and maybe some carrots…and before long, the whole village has come together to create a delicious meal, enough to feed everyone.
That’s exactly what I see here in Ventura County. Let us not lose sight of the incredible impact we’ve had together, more than 23,000 of us, all committed to making Ventura County the best place to live for all.
Just remember for a moment, after the Mountain Fire struck, hundreds of you mobilized to help. Together, we witnessed acts of extraordinary generosity and care, raising more than $1 million to support our neighbors during their time of need. I continue to be deeply inspired by the leadership of Interface Children & Family Services, 211 Ventura County, Ventura County VOAD, Anne Whatley, and Supervisor Jeff Gorell—each of whom were honored by the VCCF Board this past week for their dedicated service—and many others who worked tirelessly to protect and support our community.
And while challenges remain, we hold on to what’s possible. Dr. Jamshid Damooei’s recent study “Affording a Dignified Life on the Central Coast” reminds us just how hard it is for families to meet even their most basic needs. Our nonprofit partners are feeling this pressure daily as requests for help continue to rise.
And yet, there is still so much hope. I’m thrilled to share that three extraordinary new colleagues have joined our VCCF team, bringing fresh energy and deep dedication to our mission. With them—and with all of you—I believe we can keep building a future where everyone in Ventura County has the chance not just to get by, but to truly thrive.
If you’re feeling the weight of these times, please know you are not alone. We see you. We’re with you. And together, by choosing to dwell in possibility, we’ll make it through—stronger, kinder, and more connected than ever.
With gratitude and hope,
Vanessa Bechtel
VCCF President & CEO
