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Mesa receives Housing Trust Fund Ventura County's second Lending Library

We donated our second Lending Library bearing a message of inspiration, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,” to Mesa at a special ceremony on October 31st. The library featured books like Paper Towns by John Green and the March series by Lewis Aydin Powell which were donated by the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation (OVLFF). The library will join OVLFF's internationally award-winning Little Free Libraries program, which aims to increase access to books and promote literacy across America.

The ceremony included remarks from Mesa Founder Dan Parziale, Executive Director of Mesa; Jake, a Mesa Resident; Linda Braunschweiger, Chief Executive Officer of Housing Trust Fund VC; and Kris Humphries, Outreach Board Officer for Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation. After the remarks, visitors were given a property tour where they saw the beautiful tiny homes residents now live in. The tour also showcased the main farmhouse, serving as the heart of the community for residents.

The Community Lending Library has been installed at the entrance to Mesa and will be accessible to the community and the general public. It's now part of OVLFF’s network of Little Free Libraries which aims to increase access to books and promote literacy across the Ojai Valley. This is the second mini library that we have shared with a community it has funded — the first was donated this past summer at the Central Terrace development in Ventura.

“At Housing Trust Fund VC, our support extends beyond funding, we’re deeply invested in fostering communities that nurture growth and resilience,” said Linda Braunschweiger, Chief Executive Officer of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, “We’re honored to partner with Mesa to help create a space where young people can find stability, support, and the resources to build a brighter future."

As of October 2024, we have committed to investing $40 million through our Revolving Loan Fund, creating 1,669 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle-income employees, transitional-age youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless. We had previously provided Mesa with a $2,506,749 acquisition loan and a $499,500 bridge construction loan to bring this development to life for local transitional-age youth who are housing insecure.

Mesa is a nonprofit providing housing and services to transitional-age youth facing homelessness by fostering a community-centered environment where its residents can advance personally and professionally through a program tailored to their individual needs. Mesa focuses on employment, housing, education, community connections, nutrition, mental health, and healthcare. Residents are encouraged to build a culture of wellness with access to safe housing and unique amenities like a community building, health programs, and vocational training.

“We purchased this property just two and a half years ago with the help of Housing Trust Fund VC. In a few short, but very busy years, we have transformed a citrus orchard into a fully built-out property with 10 tiny homes and a main farmhouse that includes two additional private bedrooms, space for a live-in House Manager, and staff offices to provide additional supportive services. Beyond the physical structures, we are also building a community of young adults creating their own sense of home,” says Mesa founder Dan Parziale. “This first group of participants and our community of partners are integral to shaping what Mesa is and who we will become.”

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