Photos courtesy Ventura Housing. SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW
VENTURA — Ventura Housing on July 25 welcomed families from across the community to its Westview Property for its annual Back-to-School Resource Fair, providing free backpacks, school supplies, meals and entertainment alongside direct access to more than 20 community organizations to help students start the new school year prepared for success. Centered around the theme “Strong Families, Strong Futures,” the fair connected families with educational opportunities, health and wellness resources, workforce development programs, mental health services and youth enrichment activities. Participating partners included Ventura County Library, Ventura College, California Lutheran University, Clinicas del Camino Real, and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, giving attendees direct access to programs and services that support student success long after the first day of school.
“As a single dad, it’s hard to make ends meet every month,” said one attendee. “With my two kids getting older, they need so much more for school, and it can be overwhelming trying to afford everything. Events like this make a huge difference. The backpack and school supplies take some of that pressure off and help me make sure my kids have what they need to start the school year ready to succeed.”
Two partnerships on hand at the fair reflect the kind of year-round support Ventura Housing brings directly to its residents. Ventura County Library operates a mobile library service that visits four Ventura Housing properties each month, allowing residents to browse books and apply for library cards on the spot. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura runs a satellite location at Westview offering free after-school programming for Ventura Housing residents, with extended summer hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“As families prepare for the new school year, ensuring students have the supplies, resources, and support they need to succeed is essential,” said Alice Villarreal Redit, Community Services Director at Ventura Housing. “Ventura Housing’s Back-to-School Resource Fair helps to remove barriers for our low-income families, connects residents with valuable community services, and gives our youth the confidence to start the school year ready to learn and thrive. We are especially grateful to our community partners whose generosity and collaboration made this event possible and helped expand its impact throughout our community.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsors Port of Hueneme; Montecito Bank & Trust; First 5 Ventura County; and Premium Printing, which donated custom Ventura Housing-branded event bags. Their continued collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening families, expanding access to resources, and investing in brighter futures for Ventura County students.
