Oxnard native and AmeriCorps VIP member Jessica Rios has seen firsthand the challenge faced by residents with struggles like poverty, mental health, education, and public safety.

Rios said growing up in Oxnard has given her a unique understanding of these challenges and led her to volunteer as an Americorps VIP member. Rios works in Cabrillo’s Resident and Community Services Department.

Janice Aharon-Ezer, RCS director, said that from day one Rios has been an important part of the team. “Her scope while at CEDC is to bring on volunteers and build the department’s capacity and infrastructure for volunteerism,” Aharon-Ezer said. “She is doing a lot and we are very happy to have her.”

Rios has been making requests for donations that help defray program costs for homework clubs and special events. She also helps with new volunteer orientations and recruitment as well as administrative tasks such as creating fliers and putting together data for programs like Toys 4 Tots.

“I have the opportunity to give back to my community and gain the experience of working at a nonprofit organization,” Rios said. “Volunteerism, to me, is being able to give back to a community and individuals who need an extra helping hand to succeed. Volunteerism is being able to serve and see the impact you are making on someone’s future by simply giving your time and talent. It is important because, without a collective participation of individuals, change is not possible. With the help of volunteers, an organization can improve community life, affect someone’s future, and improve communities living conditions.”

AmeriCorps is a nationally recognized service that connects individuals with a unique site with the goal of “helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.”

Cabrillo and the United Way of Ventura County joined forces Sept. 16 for the annual Day of Caring. This event took place at two CEDC properties, Camino Gonzales and Paseo De Luz.

The event honored the memory of Maria Hernandez, a Resident Coordinator Manager at CEDC who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.

It was a special day for residents of Camino Gonzalez and Paseo De Luz, community members, CEDC staff, and numerous volunteers who came together to honor Hernandez.

Community members cooked and shard their favorite dishes. Children and volunteers helped plant trees, seeds, and bushes throughout the properties. Volunteers planted a special “Asian Citrus Psyllid” tree and placed a plaque to commemorate Hernandez’s dedication and love of Cabrillo tenants and communities.

The Hernandez family led in singing of Mexican folk songs during the event

Cabrillo collaborated with United Methodist Church, Promotoras y Promotores Foundation, and One Step A La Vez of Fillmore to present the Piru Family Day Health Fair July 22 at Valle Naranjal Apartments and the United Methodist Church.

The event featured 15 agencies providing resources and programs on health education, employment, and the community.

The day also included heart and diabetes screenings, a community walk and a variety of activities for children.

VENTURA, California (Oct. 19, 2017) ― Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation will present a health fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Santa Paulan Apartments, 115 N. Fourth St., in Santa Paula. The event is open to the public.

“We are pleased to offer the residents of the Santa Paulan Apartments and their surrounding community, a one-stop on-site morning of health care resources. We are grateful to our partners who will be part of this important day,” said Janice Aharon-Ezer, Director of Resident and Community Services at Cabrillo.

Cabrillo will collaborate with about 20 local providers, who will offer information on supplemental health plans for the open enrollment period, flu shots, veterans services, free food delivery service, caretaker services, information on the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’ and mental health services. The event also will include health screenings such as glucose, blood pressure, bone density, and hearing, according to Cabrillo Resident and Community Serviced Coordinator Beth Parker.

“We would like to invite the entire community to the fair since these types of services and information can be beneficial to everyone,” she said. “This is our first event of this type in Santa Paula that I am aware of, and we are hoping for a large turnout.”

VENTURA, California (July 10, 2017) ― Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation announced today that it has received a major donation of 206 new children’s workbooks, activity books, and stories in support of its local efforts to promote literacy at home and provide learning resources for families in underserved communities.

The donation of books was made by The Molina Foundation, a national nonprofit organization based in Long Beach, CA, as part of its Families Learning Together literacy campaign taking place this summer across the country.

The campaign is designed to promote learning all summer long to help combat the “summer slide” where students lose academic group during the long break from school. Studies have shown that on average, students can lose two to three months in reading and math skills if not practiced during the summer. The Molina Foundation’s campaign coincides with the summer months when many young people, and their families, lose access to critical supports that keep them safe, healthy, and engaged in learning.

“This book donation is very helpful. As our homework clubs expand we hope to work with the local school districts to help improve reading skills,” said Cabrillo’s Director of Resident and Community Services Janice Aharon-Ezer. “Some of our children struggle in school because of reading and have little or no support at home because of language or other barriers. The children are excited about the thought of getting books of their own, and this will allow us to give them something that they can practice reading with at homework club and at home.

Cabrillo is planning to use the books in a variety of ways, the first of which is a special Family Day Health Fair in Piru on Saturday, July 22, said Aharon-Ezer. The books also are integral to homework club reading times, at health fairs and in a program where teens will be reading to younger students.

“We are deeply appreciative of this opportunity to support Cabrillo and its wonderful work to help children in their academic and personal achievement,” said Molina Foundation President and Founder Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett. “We know that giving out books and learning materials, especially in the summer months, will have a wonderfully positive impact on local families and communities.”

The Molina Foundation is dedicated to the mission of reducing disparities in access to education and health. Since 2004, the Foundation has partnered with more than 2,000 community organizations to fulfill its mission. It has donated more than 4 million new books and sponsored hundreds of reading workshops and literacy programs for educators and families.