August, 2021
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Working together to make a difference
Greetings!

The work we do does not happen on our own. CAVC does not exist in a vacuum; donors and friends like you fund our programs, partner organizations work with us in communities, and volunteers give their time and talents generously to our causes.

This month, we are reflecting on the support we receive from so many who believe in our mission of building pathways for dignified and self-sufficient lives. Partnerships have allowed us to sustain mental health workshops, staff or weekly Community Market, and they help us plan our future after the Community Needs Assessment was completed.
Your ongoing support of CAVC has sustained us and allowed us to meet the needs of Ventura County's most vulnerable. Friends like you make our partnerships possible as we work together to serve our communities.

Susy Lopez-Garcia
Executive Director
Community Action of Ventura County
Teacher PPE Care Package Event
Our Teacher PPE Care Package Event on August 6th was a success! We are thrilled that we could provide Personal Protective Protection Equipment (PPE) to over 60 teachers and educators in Ventura County. We want to thank the SupplyBank for their partnership and providing us with the PPE we distributed!

With another school year around the corner, we sought to support our educators, keep them safe, and thank them for all they do for our children. Each care package contained 400 masks; a case (32 packs) of disinfectant wipes; 400 gloves; 8 bottles of disinfectant spray; and a case of hand sanitizer.
Back-to-School Backpack Program
CAVC also supported the students heading back to school! We purchased 150 backpacks and filled them with school supplies and PPE for any student whose family was financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each package contained a backpack with one pack of lined paper; one 3-ring binger; pencils and erasers; pencil boxes; and 50 masks. These backpacks and supplies were made possible with our CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) CARES funds.
Our partners at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation; One Step A La Vez; Project Access; Poder Popular; Adelante Comunidad Conejo; Alfredo Gutierrez; Oxnard School District Community Liaison; and All Saint’s Church all helped us distribute these supplies across the County. We cannot thank them enough for their partnership and making this event a success!
Weatherizing Your Home, Saving You Money
Did you know that CAVC weatherizes over 200 homes across Ventura County every year? Our weatherization program reduces the burden of energy costs for low-income families and promotes energy equity, especially in communities of color.

Home weatherization lowers energy consumption and saves families money on their energy bills, allowing them to use household income on other necessary goods. It also modernizes older homes and helps them become resilient in the face of climate change.
 
Call 805-436-4035 today to see if you qualify for our no-cost weatherization program.
The Economic Impact of COVID-19
The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant in Ventura County. Families have been pushed to the brink of eviction. Children are in need of proper supplies and PPE to attend school safely. And stay-at-home orders have meant increased utility bills across the board. This comes against a backdrop of slow economic recovery. The Delta variant makes some jobs less safe and threatens to prolong this pandemic.

CAVC continues to respond to all of these needs and more. Our HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) has kept the lights on for families across the County. Through our CSBG (Community Service Block Grant) CARES funds, we supported 42 families with rental assistance averaging $2,000 and helped even more individuals with their water bills.
Partnerships Matter
Over the past 10 months, we provided virtual mental and financial wellness workshops to over 70 community members. These workshops were made possible by our Community Services Block Grant and collaborations with Ventura County Credit Union, Patricia Navarro, LMFT, and Give an Hour. Special recognition also goes to Project Access, Lideres Campesinas, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, and Poder Popular for making these workshops possible.

Their partnerships make possible the likely expansion of our Community Workshops program going forward. We hope to add more workshops to meet the need for mental wellness resources in our communities across the County.
CAVC's Mission & Vision
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.