May 2023

To read this newsletter in Spanish, please click here.

Dear Emmanuel,

Happy Community Action Month! Each May, we join our over 1,100 partners in the National Community Action Partnership to celebrate Community Action Month, where we highlight the programs and services that are eradicating poverty in communities nationwide. Be sure to check out our social media pages for more information about NCAP and how we change lives in Ventura County everyday.

May is also a big month for us since we are just a few days away from 40 Years of Action! Join us for this one-of-a-kind event celebrating our 40th year from our Oxnard headquarters as we look to raise $40,000 this year to better serve the families and folks who count on us. Buy your tickets today in this newsletter as we honor Adam Lopez with our first ever Lee Riggan Award and hear from longtime supporter Desha Woods. Miss Alynette will be our MC and she'll bring the fun and energy!

In this newsletter, you'll also read about our recent feature in the Ventura County Star as well as our new membership in the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce. You'll also see an important update about eligibility requirements for our water bill program, as well as a feature on the Oxnard Monday Club, one of our longest and most loyal supporter groups.

I wish you and your loved ones continued good health and safety.



Susy Lopez-Garcia

Executive Director

Community Action of Ventura County

It's finally here!

There's still time to buy your tickets to 40 Years of Action THIS SATURDAY from 2 to 4 pm at our Oxnard headquarters. Help us celebrate 40 years of serving Ventura County from our venerable headquarters *and* the 40th birthday of our fantastic Executive Director, Susy Lopez-Garcia!

This one-of-a-kind celebration of 40 years is open to the whole community - kids too! Tickets start at $10 for children under 21 and $20 for adults.

We're thrilled to honor Adam Lopez, Community Relations Commissioner of the City of Oxnard, as our first-ever awardee of the Lee Riggan Award. This award, named after our founder, will reflect our gratitude for Adam's unwavering commitment to caring for Oxnard and for supporting our mission of ending poverty in Ventura County.

We'll also welcome Desha Woods as a featured speaker. You'll be inspired by Desha's story as a longtime CAVC volunteer who is changing lives in Ventura County in communities where hope is hard to come by.

40 Years of Action will be hosted by Ventura County's own Miss Alynette of The Alynettework podcast and founder of Femdustry, a business mentorship network for women.

Join us for an evening of fun and celebrating the deep impact we've made from our Oxnard headquarters across Ventura County. We can't wait to commemorate 40 years with you!

May is Community Action Month!

Every May, we and the rest of our partners in the National Community Partnership use the month of May as a time to bring awareness to our programs and celebrate our accomplishments in eradicating poverty nationwide.

Check out our social media feeds throughout May as we share important stories about our care for Ventura County and how we come together with other organizations nationwide to make families and communities stronger!

We were in the Ventura County Star last week. Did you see us?

We are grateful for our county's newspaper and their visit last month as we gear up for 40 Years of Action. We got to show them our work in action during a Thursday morning Community Market too. You can read the article to learn more.

Special thanks to photographer Anthony Plascencia (left in the photo below) and reporter Brian J. Varela (right) for their coverage!

With the recent opening of our Santa Paula satellite office, we continue to dig deep roots into that city's community. We're now proud to share the news that we are members of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to working with business and community leaders to continue bringing our crucial resources and support to Santa Paula!

The LIHWAP - Low-Income Household Assistance Program - was established by Congress in 2020 to help household pay skyrocketing water bills and keep them safe in their homes. We are proud to help Ventura County families receive assistance through this crucial program.

The criteria for LIHWAP eligibility have now changed significantly. Eligible households can receive LIHWAP support of up to $15,000 towards past due water bills - this is a massive increase from the previous $2,000 maximum. The water provider must be registered through the state for full eligibility.

If you or someone you know is struggling with water bill payments and would like to learn more, email Outreach Coordinator Claudia Gonzalez below.

Throughout 2023, we are spotlighting our donors, partners, and friends who are generous enough to share their time, talent and resources with us. Their belief in our mission of eradicating poverty in Ventura County drives us forward and makes us stronger.

This month, we're introducing you to the Oxnard Monday Club, a group of committed volunteers who support local organizations and initiatives in Oxnard. We spoke with Helen Gonzales from OMC to learn more about why they support CAVC.

CAVC: How did you first hear about CAVC?

OMC: We have been long-standing partners of Community Action of Ventura County. The work they do to support our transient community members is life changing and very necessary for all of our success. Having a community organization that cares about building a better future for all makes for a better world. We are grateful for the important work Community Action does. 

CAVC: What inspired you to give to the organization?

OMC: Hearing some of the testimonials from the participants has been very motivational for us. The programs that they have for Veterans and the entire community are extremely important to us all.   

CAVC: In your opinion, what is the most important work that CAVC does?

OMC: In our opinion, some of the best work they do is daily care and essential needs for homeless individuals. Not only do they provide mailing addresses, showers and clean clothes, but they assist folks with utility bills if they're at risk of becoming homeless. Having strong relationships with community organizations and referrals to county services including mental health and wellness is imperative. 

CAVC: How would you describe CAVC to others?

OMC: There are two main things we would share with community members about CAVC. We would share how much they support veterans and how much they support our homeless population with both utility bills support, as well as basic needs. 

Our Vision:

We envision a community successfully lifting people out of poverty.

Our Mission:

Helping our community establish pathways out of poverty through advocacy, partnerships and services that promote dignity

and self- sufficiency.