habitat ventura happenings

success at the Ventura County Volunteer Fair!

Fun moments at the Ventura County Volunteer Fair included playhouse builds for local military families, interactive booths with Market by the Sea vendors and local nonprofits, as well as a fun crafts section!

On August 24, 2024, the Ventura County Volunteer Fair, hosted by Habitat Ventura and Portside Ventura Harbor, brought together hundreds of community members, volunteers, and over 30 nonprofit organizations for a day filled with connection and service. The event, supported by Market by the Sea vendors, was a huge success, offering interactive booths, entertainment, and even a special Playhouse Build volunteer opportunity.

Volunteers worked together to build and decorate playhouses, which were later donated to local military and veteran families, creating unforgettable moments as the children received their colorful playhouses. The joy and sense of community were truly inspiring!

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsor and host Portside Ventura Harbor, Market by the Sea, and all the nonprofits, volunteers, and attendees who made this event such a triumph! Your support and energy will continue to drive our mission to build and repair homes, communities, and hope in Ventura County.

Looking ahead, we're excited to welcome new volunteers and sponsors to join us in future projects, including our eight-home Camarillo build, dozens of home repairs all over the county, and the start of our "tiny" home build in Ojai next year.

Let's keep this momentum going! For more information, contact Katie Norris at katie@habitatventura.org.

reserve your sponsorships!📢

our Playhouse Build Blitz is fast approaching

We invite you to join our third annual Habitat Ventura Playhouse Build Blitz! This year it will be on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bank of America in Westlake Village.

Our Playhouse Build Blitz is a unique opportunity for multiple teams to work together to construct and decorate 25 children's playhouses, which are donated same-day to military and veteran families with small children in Ventura County.

Participants will get the opportunity to interact with the military and veteran families who arrive to pick up their completed playhouses. In many cases, the playhouses are a surprise to the children, and their reactions are priceless! Proceeds raised by the event will provide direct support for our programs that help struggling families obtain safe, affordable housing in Ventura County. 

We ask that your company, faith group, family, friends, or other organization get involved in Habitat's mission by sponsoring a playhouse and participating in this unique event! 

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor and Event Host, Bank of America!

To learn more about the event, contact Katie Norris, Chief Development Officer, at katie@habitatventura.org.

supporter spotlight

Pennymac's ongoing commitment

to Ventura County families

Pennymac volunteers partnered with Habitat Ventura to build and decorate playhouses for military families on July 30.

We are thrilled to spotlight Pennymac, a loyal supporter of Habitat Ventura. Recently, Pennymac sponsored a Playhouse Build at their Moorpark offices, where their team came together to create playhouses for local military families. These Playhouse Builds are more than just a fun day of teamwork and creativity – they provide essential funding for our programs that help build and repair homes for Ventura County families in need.

Over the last few years, Pennymac has contributed more than $80,000 to support our mission! This significant financial commitment has helped make affordable homeownership and critical home repairs possible for countless families across our community. Their dedication to our work shows how businesses can make a tangible difference in addressing the housing crisis right here in Ventura County.

We are incredibly grateful to Pennymac for their continued partnership and their commitment to empowering local families through shelter. Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures for all.

Be sure to check out our event recap reel by clicking the button below!

meet our team!

introducing Edith and Leslie ✨

Edith and Leslie starting their day at our main office site in Oxnard.

This month, we’re excited to introduce two incredible members of the Habitat Ventura team: Leslie and Edith! Their passion, dedication, and commitment to our mission make a significant impact on our community, and we’re grateful to have them on board.

Edith, originally from Argentina, brings over 20 years of business management experience to the team. She holds an Accounting Certificate and is pursuing an Associate of Science degree in Accounting from Ventura College. Edith’s commitment to community service is unwavering – she co-founded a grassroots organization to prevent Notario Fraud within the immigrant community. In her personal life, Edith enjoys hiking, volunteering, and spending time with her family, including her daughters Michelle and Jessica, and her new granddaughter, Isabella. She’s also a proud pet owner with a dog (Penny), a cat (Lea), a rabbit (Kayo), and a parrot (Tony).

Leslie has just completed her Associate’s degree from Ventura College and is gearing up to start an Ultrasound Technologist program. Her passion for helping people shines through in her work with us, where she’s constantly stepping up to make a difference in the lives of others. Outside of work, Leslie loves to travel, explore new places, and spend quality time with her family and friends. She’s also a soccer enthusiast and proud dog mom to two pups, Louie and Mateo.

We are grateful for the incredible work that Edith and Leslie are doing here at Habitat Ventura. Their dedication helps drive our mission forward, creating a better future for families across Ventura County!

make a lasting impact

book your Team Build or Playhouse Build today!

Looking for an impactful way to give back while building stronger connections within your team?

Whether you’re part of a company, organization, or group of friends, our Team Builds and Playhouse Builds offer an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in our Ventura County community.

Team Builds allow you to roll up your sleeves and work alongside us on construction sites, helping to build or repair homes for families in need. You’ll get hands-on experience and see the direct impact your efforts have on the lives of local families. It's the perfect way to bond with your colleagues while supporting our mission to create affordable housing in Ventura County.

Playhouse Builds are a unique experience where your team can design, build, and decorate children’s playhouses that are later donated to military and veteran families. Not only will you get to work together on something meaningful, but you’ll also witness the joy on the children’s faces when they receive their playhouses – a priceless moment!

Join us in making a real difference in our community. Book your Team Build or Playhouse Build today!

For more information or to get started, reach out to Crystal Star, Volunteer Director at crystal@habitatventura.org. We can’t wait to build with you!