VCCF Update: Conejo Valley Victims Fund, Fires, and Scholarships

Dear VCCF Community,

After a week filled with mandatory and voluntary evacuations, school and road closures, and business disruption, we are reminded once again of the long-term aftermath of the natural disasters that have struck our community so hard over this past year. At the annual meeting of the Economic Development Collaborative yesterday, a compelling group of panelists presented their thoughts and experiences in regards to disaster recovery. Their remarks served as a reminder of how so many within our community are still just beginning to grapple with the impact these disasters have had on their lives. Let’s help make it easier for them by reminding one another there is an entire support network eager to help. A good starting place for those seeking aid in recovery is 2-1-1 (please follow the links below):

Please note: We continue to raise support for those impacted by the Thomas Fire as well. For those individuals in need of financial assistance in relationship to the Thomas Fire who are not currently working with a case manager, they should reach out to 2-1-1 so they can be assigned to the appropriate organization.

Below is a brief update on pressing deadlines for individual assistance and support from VCCF.

Conejo Valley Victims Fund
Since we last connected, the document that will determine the process and distribution protocols for financial support for those impacted by the shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill has been finalized. To review the Final Protocol click here.

Based on input and discussion, one modification was made to the draft protocol, which was to increase the required amount of time for a physically injured victim to seek medical attention for their injuries (increasing the time from 48 hours to 7 days in light of the fires). No other changes were made to the document.

The deadline for submitting a claim is February 18, 2019. For more information please visit www.ConejoValleyVictimsFund.org.
Hill Fire/ Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Update
The Ventura County Community Foundation has granted more than $1,125,321 since the start of the Hill and Woolsey fires, including:

  • $150,000 to the Pacific Coast and Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross (Red Cross) for an Emergency Response Vehicle
  • $115,000 to the Red Cross for Ventura County Recovery Coordination
  • $146,250 to the Red Cross for General Operations Support
  • $1,394 to Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship for Evacuation expenses for horses, additional staffing, fuel for trailers, stall cleaning
  • $10,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley for expenses related to serving children during school closures, club clean-up, and counseling services
  • $30,000 total to KCLU Public Radio (California Lutheran University) with $20,000 to replace damaged main transmitter and supporting equipment and an additional $10,000 for matching funds for the campaign to replace equipment, which they met.
  • $5,000 to 805 Help to support their immediate response to bring online access to our community during the fires
  • $15,000 to Senior Concerns for adult daycare, meals and support for our community’s seniors who were evacuated and need care
  • $5,350 to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association to help cover costs associated with evacuations of those on hospice
  • $7,000 to the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures
  • $9,500 to the Southeast Ventura YMCA to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures
  • $1,827 to Mark Watring Stables for the evacuation of 43 horses, hauling of feed and water supplies, and overtime
  • $25,000 to the Economic Development Collaborative for General Operations Support as they serve business owners impacted by the fires
  • $21,500 to Cal State Channel Islands Foundation to feed and house students evacuated by the fires
  • $500 to Cal Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership to sponsor a free webinar entitled “Fundraising in Response to a Community Crisis”
  • $445,000 to the Southeast Ventura County YMCA to provide individual assistance to families affected by the fires.
  • $6,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme to help cover expenses related to serving children during school closures.
  • $5,000 to Fly-Hope Dream to cover flights for fire survivors.
  • $10,000 to Little Angels Project to cover costs of veterinary care for injured animals.
  • $16,000 to Lockwood Animal Rescue Center to provide lodging and basic needs for people and animals.
  • $100,000 to Salvation Army for case management and basic needs assistance.

Please remind all nonprofit organizations responding to the needs from the fires to complete and submit their brief application at www.vccf.org. Organizations can submit more than one time as needs arise.

VCCF Scholarship Program
In an unrelated effort to support our community, the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Program is still accepting applications for local students pursuing their career and educational goals. Over $1 million in assistance is available in 2019. The application deadline is January 30th. Please help spread the word and apply at www.vccf.org.

That’s it for now. I hope you enjoy the long weekend as we honor and celebrate the contributions made by Martin Luther King, Jr. Together we are #VCStrong.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Bechtel
President & CEO, Ventura County Community Foundation