VCCF Community Fire Updates
January 13, 3:30 p.m.
As we face one of the most devastating fire seasons in our region’s history, our hearts are with all those impacted by the fires across Los Angeles County and here in Ventura County. Please know you are not alone, and if you or a loved one need support, please reach out to 2-1-1 or complete this needs assessment if you are in Ventura County. A team of local nonprofits is working collaboratively together and are standing by to help.
Your community foundation is committed to raising funds to address the immediate and long-term needs of those most impacted by the recent Mountain Fire, while remaining prepared to respond to other disaster-related challenges across Ventura County. 100% of all contributions go directly to those most affected and local nonprofits supporting those most in need.
We are also committed to supporting our sister community foundations, the Fundación Comunitaria de California y el Pasadena Community Foundation, as they work in solidarity to help thousands of community members who have lost their homes in Los Angeles County. We have received several direct contributions through VCCF to support affected families in Los Angeles and will be sending 100% of those contributions to our sister community foundations.
- Visit Philanthropy California to learn more about statewide disaster relief efforts.
- Read the Emergency Preparedness guide for Ventura County business owners and nonprofits.
- Subscribe to our Power of Purpose newsletter to stay informed.
- Donate to the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund here.
Fondo de Ayuda y Recuperación para Incendios Forestales del Condado de Ventura
This fund has been pivotal in supporting families and nonprofits affected by the Mountain Fire, which burned 19,904 acres and destroyed 132 structures. To date, the fund has granted $975,313, providing individual financial assistance and addressing critical needs such as:
- Temporary housing and medical equipment replacement.
- Emergency childcare and financial assistance for families who lost homes.
- Support for farmworkers, including over $50,000 for those who lost work and housing.
- - Cubrir los gastos de evacuación de más de 450 animales y las facturas veterinarias de mascotas heridas de familias que perdieron sus hogares.
805 UndocuFund
The 805 UndocuFund continues to be a vital resource for undocumented families affected by the Mountain Fire and other disasters. Its most recent impact includes:
- Financial assistance for 178 households, totaling $78,000.
- Essential needs support, in partnership with Food Share of Ventura County, distributing $2,765 in gift cards to farmworkers.
- In-person clinics providing over 125 staff hours to assist families directly.
Ricardo, an 805 UndocuFund recipient, shared, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great help you gave me. I work in the field. I hope you continue to support us. Thank you very much.” Please contribute to the 805 UndocuFund here.
Looking Ahead
With fire weather persisting and Public Safety Power Shutoffs becoming more frequent, we encourage everyone to stay prepared. Resources for preparation and real-time updates can be found at VC Emergency. We also highly recommend the Watch Duty app, which is a nonprofit based in Northern California.
If you are experiencing financial hardships caused by the Ventura County disasters, please complete 211 Interface’s confidential needs assessment.
Thank you again for all your help and support. Please help us spread the word and we promise to keep you informed. Your unwavering support for one another inspires us every day. Together, we can provide hope, relief and recovery for those in need.
With determination and gratitude,
Vanessa Bechtel, Presidenta y Directora General de la VCCF
Nov 26, 12:00 p.m.
This week, as we reflect on the holiday season, we are reminded of the resilience and compassion that define our community. While many in Ventura County are grappling with the aftermath of the Mountain Fire, we also see extraordinary acts of kindness and solidarity that uplift us all.
Your steadfast support has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those most affected by this disaster. Thanks to your generosity, families have been able to secure temporary housing, injured animals have received lifesaving care, childcare has been provided to households navigating a difficult path forward, farmworkers displaced from both home and work have found some financial relief, and essential medical equipment lost in the fire has been replaced. These actions exemplify the heart of Ventura County.
To date, thanks to VCCF fundholders, generous donors, local businesses, and private foundations, $287,429 has been granted to address immediate and pressing needs. We have more work to do.
We are deeply grateful for our partnerships with the County of Ventura, Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VCVOAD), Interface 211 Ventura County, the 805 UndocuFund, Ventura County Animal Services, American Red Cross Central Coast, Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, and many other local nonprofits. Together, we are ensuring resources reach those who need them most.
The journey of recovery is long and complex. Please know that every donation, every shared message, and every act of encouragement strengthens our ability to make a lasting impact.
With gratitude and unwavering resolve,
Vanessa Bechtel, Presidenta y Directora General de la VCCF
Nov 13, 5:00 p.m.
Tonight, county and city officials are hosting a community meeting to inform residents affected by the Mountain Fire about the opening of the Local Assistance Center in Camarillo. Thanks to your generous support, we are honored to share that to-date $93,500 has been granted to help individuals and families most affected by the wildfire, along with an additional $10,000 dedicated to covering costs associated with emergency animal evacuations.
Your community foundation has also been able to grant $50,000 from one of our donor’s funds to support the American Red Cross of Ventura County in their wildfire relief efforts over this past week. We are immensely grateful to them and to the thousands of first responders who have worked tirelessly in service to Ventura County.
Your community foundation is also helping to raise funds to support farmworkers who experienced loss of work and other hardships associated with the fires. To learn more, please contact Kinsey Cohen at [email protected].
Thank you for supporting your fellow neighbors during this time. We couldn’t be more proud and more grateful for our community.
With compassion and determination,
Vanessa Bechtel, Presidenta y Directora General de la VCCF
Nov 11, 5:30 p.m.
Estimada familia de la Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Ventura,
We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support as we rally together to help those most impacted by the Mountain Fire. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us reach those most affected and offering both awareness and critical financial aid in this time of need.
On Saturday, the VCCF Board of Directors authorized the immediate distribution of $20,000 in direct financial assistance to support eight families who lost their housing in the wildfire and were left with no place to go. Because of your generosity, these families now have emergency financial support to secure temporary housing and other essentials.
Additionally, $10,000 in financial assistance was allocated to cover costs for emergency animal evacuations and ongoing care, ensuring that pets and livestock displaced by the fire are safe. These grant funds were specific contributions from local donors to support animal welfare, and we can’t thank you enough for making this happen.
Your community foundation is honored to partner with the County of Ventura, Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VCVOAD), Interface’s 211 Ventura County, and several other local nonprofits. Together, we are working to bring essential support to those most affected. This week, in partnership with 211 Ventura County, we will continue providing direct assistance to those who need it most.
More than 130 individual donations have come through over the past few days demonstrating the power of philanthropy and our community’s generosity. Please help us spread the word so that we can best support our neighbors during this very difficult time.
With compassion and determination,
Vanessa Bechtel, Presidenta y Directora General de la VCCF
Nov 8, 2:20 p.m.
VCCF acepta donaciones de emergencia para el incendio de la montaña
Se crea un fondo de ayuda y recuperación para la comunidad afectada por el incendio forestal del condado de Ventura
CAMARILLO, CA 11/8/2024 - El Condado de Ventura, en colaboración con la Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Ventura, ha establecido un fondo de emergencia que acepta donaciones para apoyar a los miembros de la comunidad y las organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro más afectadas por el incendio de montaña. El Fondo de Ayuda y Recuperación del Condado de Ventura está abierto a donaciones en vccf.org/donary se dedica a apoyar a personas y organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro que proporcionan ayuda esencial a los más afectados en tiempos de crisis. El cien por cien de las contribuciones se destina directamente a las labores de socorro, centrando los recursos en quienes más lo necesitan.
El 6 de noviembre se declaró un incendio forestal en las afueras de Moorpark a causa de los vientos de Santa Ana, que alcanzaron entre 40 y 80 millas por hora. El fuego ha crecido a 20.596 hectáreas a partir del 8 de noviembre, según VC Emergency, con 7% de contención. VCCF ha administrado previamente millones de dólares en donaciones para los incendios Thomas, Hill y Woolsey, asegurando que los fondos tuvieran el mayor impacto y apoyaran a los más afectados. VCCF sigue supervisando el estado del incendio de Mountain Fire, trabajando con sus socios gubernamentales y sin ánimo de lucro para responder mejor a las necesidades del condado.
"A través del Fondo de Ayuda y Recuperación para Incendios Forestales del Condado de Ventura, nuestra comunidad cuenta con un salvavidas vital para los afectados por el incendio forestal", dijo el Dr. Sevet Johnson, CEO del Condado de Ventura. "Este fondo es un testimonio del compromiso inquebrantable de nuestro condado para proporcionar apoyo rápido y directo a las personas y organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro en primera línea de los esfuerzos de socorro. El condado de Ventura es a la vez compasivo y resistente, siempre dispuesto a permanecer unido y apoyarse mutuamente en tiempos de necesidad."
VCCF anima a todos los miembros de la comunidad a mantenerse informados y tomar decisiones seguras ante esta emergencia. La información sobre las zonas de evacuación y los refugios puede consultarse en vcemergency.com o llamando al (805) 465-6650.
"El condado de Ventura se ha enfrentado a devastadores incendios forestales a lo largo de los años, pero la resistencia y la generosidad de nuestra comunidad son más fuertes", dijo Leah Lacayo, miembro de la Junta de la VCCF. "Estamos muy agradecidos al Condado de Ventura y a nuestros primeros en responder por sus heroicos esfuerzos para mantener a salvo a nuestra comunidad. Su fundación comunitaria está aquí para ayudar, especialmente en tiempos de desastre, y ha creado este fondo para apoyar los esfuerzos de socorro y recuperación."
Nov 7, 2024 at 3:13 p.m.Estimada familia de la Fundación Comunitaria del Condado de Ventura,
Our hearts are with all those who have been impacted by the Mountain Fire. We are working closely with our partners to help ensure that your community foundation is doing all it can to support those most impacted. As the situation continues to develop, we will be in touch with you to keep you informed of how we can all best help.
In the meantime, we want to provide you with the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Emergency Preparedness Guide. This comprehensive resource, available in both English and Spanish, offers essential guidance to help individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations navigate emergencies like wildfires.
Additionally, for Ventura County residents in need of wildfire-related assistance, please direct them to the Impacted Households Needs Assessment Form. By completing this short form created by 2-1-1 Ventura County, residents can share their immediate needs and contact information. As resources and relief options become available, these individuals will receive timely updates and guidance. Additionally, the Ventura County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) will use this information to organize response efforts and address the most pressing needs across our community.
We are also aware of significant financial needs associated with animal evacuations. If you are interested in supporting that effort, please contact Calleen Pardinas at [email protected].
Lastly, we encourage you to stay up to date on all evacuation information and emergency shelters at VC Emergency or by calling 805-465-6650.
Please feel free to forward this information to anyone you think would benefit. Please know how much we care about each of you and will do all we can to help.
With compassion and dedication,
Vanessa
Vanessa Bechtel, Presidenta y Directora General de la VCCF