Reminder: We're doing more this summer! - CAVC August 2022 Newsletter

August 2022

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We're doing more this summer!

Greetings!

As summer continues in Ventura County, we're using the season as an opportunity to do more. While we all take these months as a time to relax, go on vacation, and recharge, we viewed summer as the perfect time for us to do even more to care for our most vulnerable neighbors in our communities. It's a big challenge — one we can't do alone without you.

In this newsletter, you'll read how we still need your help to raise $20,000 by the end of the summer to help us build a new ADA compliant shower facility for our Homeless Services. Without this, we'll have to close our showers and turn away those who come to us for help. You can make your donation here or further below in this newsletter.

You'll also read about our newest staff member, Dia, and her work as our newest ARPA Outreach Coordinator. If you blink, you might miss her! She's already been to events across the county making sure communities know about our programs and how we can help. You'll also learn about how our dear administrative assistant, Catalina, recently enrolled in La Vanguardia, a new program for local Latinx professionals who will learn new skills over the next few months. Our staff is growing in size and skills as we continue to do more this year!

As summer comes to a close, we'll continue to do more and to be more for our communities. Join us, as together, we can do more. The more we can do, the more we can help others and create change for the better.

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

Susy Lopez-Garcia

Executive Director

Community Action of Ventura County

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Donate to Our Community Services

We still need your help building new showers!

We still need your help to protect our local unsheltered community members!

CAVC needs to raise $20,000 by the end of the summer to fund renovations of our current showers, so they will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These renovations will enable us to better serve our neighbors and community members safely.

Without these renovations, we will have to close our showers, meaning unsheltered individuals who rely on us for care will not have access to this vital service we provide for them.

So far, we've raised nearly $1,500, so we need your help to reach our goal!

Can we count on your support to ensure we can continue to serve Ventura County’s unsheltered community members? Make your donation today to help us during this urgent fundraising campaign!

Make your gift and help us build new showers!

It's a new Dia!

Meet CAVC's New Outreach Coordinator

CAVC is thrilled to announce our new Outreach ARPA Coordinator, Claudia Gonzalez! (She goes by Dia!)

In this position, Dia will cover ALL of Ventura County to spread the word about our programs & the ARPA grant's ability to serve even more of our clients! For example, the photo of Dia here is from her recent visit to the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, where she is scheduled to be every first Wednesday of the month from 9 am-12 pm to pass out information about our services.

Dia is a graduate of CSU Channel Islands, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Communication in 2019.

We asked Dia a little bit about her new role and what she's been up to since starting at CAVC.

CAVC: What made you decide to work for CAVC?

CG: I met the executive director and some of the staff when they participated at the Oxnard Christmas parade. It was very inspiring to see leadership that consisted of women, especially women of color. When you combine that with opportunity to help the community and really be involved, it seemed like the ideal place to work. When I saw the position of Outreach Coordinator, it felt like the universe opened a door of endless possibilities that I couldn’t let pass me by.

CAVC: What do you enjoy most about your job so far?

CG: I enjoy the welcoming environment. Everyone has been very encouraging, and it is nice to be part of a team that wants you to grow. There is always someone reaching out with ideas, opportunities, or constructive feedback.

CAVC: What is one goal you have for yourself in this new position?

CG: There are already so many organizations and locations we work with, but I would like to leave no stone unturned in Ventura County. If there is a need for assistance, I want to partner with organizations and property managers to make sure people get all the help we can provide.

Next time you see CAVC out in the community, come and say hi!

August is LIHEAP Action Month!

August is LIHEAP Action Month!

LIHEAP - or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - is housed under our HEAP and Weatherization programs.

LIHEAP is critical to saving lives of our most vulnerable community members, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and children. A disproportionate number of these individuals live below the federal poverty line, often on fixed incomes that do not increase when inflation takes place. Households living on incomes lower than $35,000 per year report that their costs to pay energy bills are three times higher than other higher-earning households; this is often due to their homes being older and harder to heat and cool. As a result, many of these families are forced to reduce buying food and medicine to make ends meet.

However, less than 5% of eligible Californians receive LIHEAP benefits. We're doing our part to raise awareness of our LIHEAP programs for Ventura County families to ensure they live safe and dignified lives. All throughout August, we'll be bringing collateral and information to our outreach visits to get the word out about this important — and readily available — program.

To learn more (and see if you qualify), call us at 805-436-4000.

Our very own Catalina joins La Vanguardia

This month, we're recognizing our very own Catalina Solis in a special way. Catalina recently enrolled in La Vanguardia Academy, a project-based learning program for Latinx professionals in Ventura County. Catalina and her cohort of fundraising professionals will learn best practices in fundraising from seasoned Latinx professionals across the country.

La Vanguardia is a one-of-a-kind program that is training and developing the next generation of Latinx nonprofit leaders and fundraisers in Ventura County.

We're so excited for Catalina as she takes this bold step in her career. We know she will represent CAVC proudly and bring back new wisdom and skills that will make our organization even stronger!

Did you catch us at the

Simi Valley Health and Wellness Expo?

Earlier this summer, we participated in the 2022 Wellness Expo, which was co-sponsored by The Simi Valley Council On Aging and Adventist Health Simi Valley. We really appreciated the opportunity to distribute information about our services to Simi Valley's senior citizens.

The Expo was an especially great opportunity to meet seniors in Simi Valley after we established our new satellite office at the Free Clinic of Simi Valley earlier this year.

We cannot wait to see you at community events across Ventura County for the rest of the year! We're making some big changes to our website, including a calendar of events where we'll be, so keep an eye out and reach out if there is somewhere you think we should be!

CAVC Board Member Spotlight:

Kate Mills

The CAVC Board of Directors advances our mission across Ventura County as a collective of like-minded individuals across private and public sectors who are committed to strengthening pathways out of poverty in all of our communities.

In our Board Member Spotlight series, we ask Board members about who they are and why they support CAVC. Our Spotlight for August introduces you to Kate Mills.

Sector on Board of Directors Representing: Low Income

Occupation: Program Administrator (retired)

Member of the Board since: December 2017

CAVC: Why did you join the CAVC Board of Directors?

KM: Throughout my career I have observed the results of lack of adequate housing, lack of employment and adequate income, lack of adequate education and lack of access to adequate healthcare. Joining the CAVC Board of Directors has allowed me to support CAVC’s three approaches to addressing these “lacks” through advocacy, partnerships, and services.

CAVC: What inspires you most about CAVC?

KM: There are many agencies which do good by assisting community members with their immediate needs. CAVC recognizes the difference between “providing for” and “working with”. I am inspired by the programs and services and the staff who provide them, while honoring and promoting the dignity and self-sufficiency of the individual and, exponentially, the community.

CAVC: What is one program or service CAVC offers that is particularly meaningful to you, and why?

KM: All CAVC programs and services are important in helping to address the immediate needs of our county community: helping with past-due rent or utilities; improving energy efficiency of homes and appliances; providing showers and clean clothes; addressing food shortages with fresh produce and products.

I am proud of all these programs, but the most meaningful to me is our food distribution program. CAVC not only addresses the lack of food through our food pantry, but goes the additional mile by delivering food through our partnership with DoorDash to those who cannot access our food pantry. Our program then partners with other organizations to serve as a food distribution hub, providing a central location for produce acquisition and distribution into additional community locations. Lastly, this program addresses environmental issues by working with community businesses to rescue over 100,000 pounds of food monthly, preventing it from going to waste and having it adversely affect our air quality.

CAVC: Describe a day in your life:

KM: I never believed that one’s life could become busier in retirement; I was wrong. I have no typical day. I attend classes in wellness of mind, body, and spirit; social justice; senior outreach; and peer support. I visit with my children and grandchildren, read, listen to music and am developing a pretty good list of edible meals. My husband is a deacon in our faith community and I assist community activities through our faith community.

CAVC: What is one goal you've had for yourself in 2022?

KM: My goal is to keep life simple.

• Take action where needed

• Seek pockets of quiet

• Listen without judgement

Meet the rest of the Board of Directors

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.