Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,
One week ago, we came together for the Isabella Project‘s first children’s festival: Todos Juntos por Los Niños – Everyone Together for Our Children. What an unforgettable day! Designed especially for children ages 0-5, the event exceeded all expectations, creating a joyful space for hundreds of families to connect, play, and learn about the vast array of support services available to them.
Among so many beautiful moments, one story stands out in my heart. A father of three young children—all under age 5—came across our event after a long night shift. Having returned home to care for his ill wife, he then took his children on a walk through downtown Santa Paula so she could rest, despite not having slept himself. When he saw our event banner and confirmed with a local business that the event was free, he decided to bring his children in. They spent the entire day immersed in arts and crafts, bouncing in the bouncers, riding the little train, and choosing their favorite treats from food trucks—enjoying tacos, churros, pizza, popcorn, and more. Emotionally, he shared that he could never afford an outing like this, and was overwhelmed by a day filled with so much joy. He even managed to sneak in a quick nap as a kind booth host engaged his children in a special art project. As he put it, it was one of the best days he could remember with his children.
We owe this extraordinary day to the heart work of over 100 volunteers, as Dr. Gabino Aguirre so eloquently put it. Together, we created a space for families to celebrate their children and each other. THANK YOU for your dedication and passion for supporting families across our community.
A few fun highlights:
• Over 680 attendees (not including our incredible booth hosts!)
• 48 booths from organizations across Ventura County
• 100+ volunteers who made this day possible
Thanks to a generous contribution from the League of California Community Foundations, with funding from the State of California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC), we were able to provide essential resources and information through trusted community messengers. Families learned about the Isabella Project, early childhood resources, housing support, cancer support, extreme heat awareness, cultural engagement, free sports activities, and much more.
This is what your community foundation is all about—“Connecting people, resources, and solutions to create lasting impact in our shared world.”
With heartfelt appreciation,
Vanessa
Vanessa Bechtel, VCCF President & CEO
