April, 2022
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Strengthening Communities
Across Ventura County
Greetings!

The first full month of spring is a sign of renewal. Flowers on our county's hillsides are in full bloom, ready to meet the longer sunny days April brings. We at CAVC are making things new, too, for all our communities in Ventura County.

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that we are expanding! We recently signed an agreement to lease co-working office space in Simi Valley. You can learn more below about how we are meeting the needs of East Ventura County communities closer to their homes.

We are also proud to launch a fundraising campaign for our Weatherization program now through Earth Day on April 22. This program makes crucial repairs and appliance upgrades to homes - at no cost to the families and individuals we serve. Weatherized homes are safer to live in and they are resilient against the changing climate our planet faces. A gift of any size will help families today and our planet for years to come. Make your gift at ca-vc.org.

We've also just finished compiling statistics and finalizing reports from our work in 2021. We can report that from 2021, we saw a 40% increase in the number of families, individuals, and community members we served across our program areas. Over 18,000 individuals participated in our Community Market and received over 640,000 pounds of fresh food we distributed. You can learn more about our year in review at our website at ca-vc.org/getinformed.

Finally, in this newsletter, you'll learn more about the ways we continue to care for seniors in Ventura County, especially those without loved ones close by to care for them. You'll also meet another member of our Board of Directors. 2022 has already proven to be a year of growth for CAVC and we cannot wait to share even more of our success with you.
I wish you and your loved ones continued good health and safety.

Susy Lopez-Garcia
Executive Director
Community Action of Ventura County
CAVC Expands to Simi Valley!
We are growing! Last month, we signed a lease for shared office space in the multi-use services facility at the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. Look how excited Susy was to take the keys!

Over the next several weeks, we will share service schedules for our HEAP, Utility Services, and Weatherization programs that will be utilizing the Free Clinic space. Keep track of all the changes by calling us or visiting our website.

A very special thank you goes to Fred Bauermeister, Executive Director of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, for making this partnership possible and allowing us to better serve communities in East Ventura County closer to their homes.
Safe homes today, a safe planet tomorrow
Give to CAVC's Weatherization Program!
This month through Earth Day on April 22, we are raising funds for our Weatherization program. We invite you to support this crucial service we provide to make homes across Ventura County safer to live in today and climate-resilient for years to come.

CAVC Weatherization makes necessary appliance upgrades and weather-proofing repairs to homes. Whether it is replacing a refrigerator, fixing windows, or replacing outdated smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, weatherizing a home makes it more energy efficient and safer for the family living there. Most importantly, these repairs and upgrades come at no cost.

Weatherizing homes makes families healthier and safer in their homes. Community members have reported saving up to $500 per year on medical expenses that arise from unsafe living conditions in their homes. Weatherized homes are also great for our planet as they become more energy-efficient and able to resist rising temperatures that face Ventura County.

A gift today makes a difference today in homes across Ventura County and for years to come as they become more resilient to climate change. Visit our website to support us and community members most in need.
Now Offering Medical Bill Assistance
with CSBG CARES Funds
Do you have a vision or dental bill you are struggling to pay? CAVC can help!

With CSBG CARES funds, we are now able to assist families and community members with paying medical bills. Families who can demonstrate financial hardship stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply. Families must show also proof of income that must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Applications are open and our Basic Needs team is ready to assist. To learn more and apply, contact Maira Tapia, Basic Needs Coordinator, at 805-263-2587, or by email at mtapia@ca-vc.org.
2021 Year in Review
We just wrapped up compiling and counting our final statistics from 2021. What a year! 2021 was our busiest year yet and 2022 has shown no signs of slowing down. Here are some facts and figures we can share:

-2,178 households were assisted with utilities payment through HEAP and CSBG Cares funds.

-330 houses were made more energy efficient through our Weatherization program.

-An estimated 1,440 showers were provided by Homeless Services

-18,909 individuals and 5,180 households received food boxes from our weekly Community Market

-17 partner agencies participate in our monthly Food Hub

-43 households received emergency rent payments to keep them in their homes

Overall, we served 40% more community members in 2021 than we did in 2020. We accomplished so much in 2021 with your support, and we are on our way to serve Ventura County in even more ways this year.
In CAVC's Corner: Caring for Seniors
Last month, CAVC began a new " In CAVC's Corner" series, covering the issues and communities CAVC works with everyday. This month, we're continuing to focus on senior citizens and highlighting a particular partnership that has saved lives by delivering meals safely to their homes.

Seniors across Ventura County continue to be particularly vulnerable to rampant inflation. This is especially true when it comes to buying groceries, where many seniors, who live on fixed incomes through Social Security, are unable to purchase the groceries and medications they need. Our outreach teams are reporting more seniors living in homes with refrigerators that are nearly empty; some homes have little more than a jar of mayonnaise. In many Ventura County communities, seniors living without assistance are starving in their own homes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with DoorDash to deliver grocery boxes from our Community Market to families and seniors most in need. We continue to support seniors even as the pandemic slows, and we invite you to contact us if you or your loved ones are in need of support during these continually challenging times.
CAVC Board Member Spotlight:
Lorena Guereca
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 April introduces you to Lorena Guereca.

-Name: Lorena Guereca
-Sector represented on Board: Low-Income
-Occupation: Regional Community Liaison, Vista Real Charter High School
-Member of the Board of Directors since: 2020

CAVC: Why did you join the Board of Directors?
LG: With the high cost of living and challenges the pandemic brought, I saw many families and students trying to make ends meet. In my line of work, I am always looking for organization to connect families with services. I was impressed with CAVC programs and wanted to be part of the tremendous work it does for our community. 

CAVC: What inspires you most about CAVC?
LG: The urgency to reach those in need and provide services. 

CAVC: What is one program or service CAVC offers that is particularly meaningful to you, and why?
LG: All our programs are important, but the one that speaks to me is our food pantry. Growing up with food insecurities, my family often relied on food donations to help us get by during the difficult months. I see myself in the people we serve, and I am super thankful for the dedicated staff and volunteers committed to this program. 

CAVC: Describe a day in the life of Lorena Guereca.
LG: A big part of my job as Community Liaison for Vista Real Charter High School is connecting our six school sites with a wide range of opportunities and services. This includes attending community meetings/events, connecting with community resources, organizing student workshops, setting-up public speakers and helping establish partnerships that help our students grow. We strive to help our students in all levels of need. This means supporting the family, too. I don’t work alone! There is a huge team of teachers, counselors, tutors, and support staff supporting these efforts. We have big giving hearts on our Vista Real team.  

CAVC: What's one goal you've had for yourself in 2022?
LG: I am not a morning person. I love my sleep, but this year I am committed to changing that. Since January, I’ve managed to start my mornings much earlier. What time you ask? Well, early enough for me. 😊
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.