VCCF Community Fire Updates (en anglais)
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 Fondation communautaire de Californie et le 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.
Fonds d'aide et de rétablissement du comté de Ventura en cas d'incendie de forêt
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.
- - Prise en charge des frais d'évacuation de plus de 450 animaux et des frais vétérinaires pour les animaux blessés des familles qui ont perdu leur maison.
805 Fonds de roulement
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, présidente-directrice générale 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, présidente-directrice générale 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, présidente-directrice générale de la VCCF
Nov 11, 5:30 p.m.
Chère famille de la Ventura County Community Foundation,
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, présidente-directrice générale de la VCCF
Nov 8, 2:20 p.m.
La VCCF accepte les dons d'urgence pour l'incendie de montagne
Le fonds de secours et de reconstruction du comté de Ventura a été créé pour soutenir la communauté touchée par les incendies de forêt
CAMARILLO, CA 11/8/2024 - Le comté de Ventura, en partenariat avec la Ventura County Community Foundation, a créé un fonds d'urgence qui accepte les dons pour soutenir les membres de la communauté et les organisations locales à but non lucratif les plus touchées par le Mountain Fire. Le Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund est ouvert aux dons à l'adresse suivante vccf.org/donateElle a pour mission de soutenir les personnes et les organisations à but non lucratif qui apportent une aide essentielle aux personnes les plus touchées en temps de crise. Cent pour cent des contributions sont directement affectées aux opérations de secours, ce qui permet de concentrer les ressources sur ceux qui en ont le plus besoin.
Le 6 novembre, un incendie de forêt s'est déclaré à l'extérieur de Moorpark à la suite de vents de Santa Ana atteignant 40 à 80 miles par heure. Selon VC Emergency, l'incendie s'étendait sur 20 596 acres au 8 novembre, avec un confinement de 7%. La VCCF a déjà géré des millions de dollars de dons pour les incendies de Thomas, Hill et Woolsey, en veillant à ce que les fonds aient le plus d'impact possible et soutiennent les personnes les plus touchées. La VCCF continue de suivre l'évolution de l'incendie, en collaboration avec ses partenaires gouvernementaux et à but non lucratif, afin de répondre au mieux aux besoins du comté.
"Grâce au Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, notre communauté dispose d'une bouée de sauvetage vitale pour les personnes touchées par l'incendie", a déclaré le Dr Sevet Johnson, directeur général du comté de Ventura. "Ce fonds témoigne de l'engagement inébranlable de notre comté à fournir un soutien rapide et direct aux personnes et aux organisations à but non lucratif qui sont en première ligne des efforts de secours. Le comté de Ventura est à la fois compatissant et résilient, toujours prêt à se serrer les coudes et à se soutenir mutuellement en cas de besoin."
La VCCF encourage tous les membres de la communauté à rester informés et à prendre des décisions sûres face à cette situation d'urgence. Des informations sur les zones d'évacuation et les abris sont disponibles à l'adresse suivante vcemergency.com ou en appelant le (805) 465-6650.
"Le comté de Ventura a été confronté à des incendies dévastateurs au fil des ans, mais la résilience et la générosité de notre communauté sont plus fortes", a déclaré Leah Lacayo, membre du conseil d'administration de la VCCF. "Nous sommes très reconnaissants envers le comté de Ventura et nos premiers intervenants pour leurs efforts héroïques afin d'assurer la sécurité de notre communauté. Votre fondation communautaire est là pour vous aider, en particulier en cas de catastrophe, et a créé ce fonds pour soutenir les efforts de secours et de rétablissement".
Nov 7, 2024 at 3:13 p.m.Chère famille de la Ventura County Community Foundation,
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, présidente-directrice générale de la VCCF