Special comment: Local institutions team up on neighborhood support fund
A coalition of businesses, nonprofits, local governments and educational institutions across Ventura County is creating a fund to support families and businesses facing one of the most disruptive years in recent decades.
The Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund will operate in partnership with the Community Foundation to blunt the effects of recent immigration raids and natural disasters.
In announcing the fund on July 28, VCCF said the County of Ventura, Ventura County Office of Education, Economic Development Collaborative, Ventura County P-20 Council, Weingart Foundation, Ventura County Economic Development Association, Ventura County Credit Union, Museum of Ventura County, Isabella Project Montecito Bank & Trust, Premier America Credit Union, County Schools Federal Credit Union, McCune Foundation and others agreed to support the fund.
“The well-being of our residents is at the heart of everything we do at the County of Ventura,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, Ventura County Executive Officer. “By mobilizing trusted local organizations to provide direct relief, this fund helps stabilize families and safeguard the essential services that sustain our communities.”
“As the son of immigrants and now Ventura County’s Superintendent of Schools, I carry with me the stories, sacrifices and dreams of families who came here seeking a better life,” said Dr. César Morales. “The Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund is a powerful reminder that we are not powerless.”
“Time and again, the Ventura County community has come together in the face of hardship,” said Vanessa Bechtel, president and CEO of VCCF. “Given the scope of the challenges at hand, we’re responding in a way that meets uncertainty with compassion and resolve. Our message is clear: no neighbor stands alone.”
In a statement, VCCF said the fund was designed to jump start school attendance, which has fallen by double-digits, help nonprofits cope with overwhelming demand and help small businesses hit by workforce disruptions, stabilize their operations.
“Economic stability depends on the well-being of our workforce and the health of our local businesses,” said Bruce Stenslie, president and CEO of EDC.
“I applaud VCCF for establishing this fund to support our community during these challenging times,” said David Newman, mayor of Thousand Oaks in the statement.
VCCF said that 100% of the money raised will go to the fund to provide food transportation and emergency supplies to families, emergency shelter and rental assistance, schools, neighborhood centers, affected businesses and nonprofits and other needs that arise.
“This is the beginning of a long arc — not just a response, but a commitment,” said Pedro Chavez, mayor of Santa Paula. More information at vccf.org/neighbors.
