The 2020 elections for Ventura County Board of Supervisors District 1, 3, and 5, and the State Assembly and Senate are right around the corner. The Latino Issues Forum is proud to again sponsor a public town hall of the candidates for these elected offices and the Latino community. As the Latino population in Ventura County continues to grow, currently 43% compared to 45% White, many of the problems that have plagued this community for decades continue to this day.

In planning for this town hall meeting, we have discussed the unprecedented media attention the Latino community has received since 2016, and the fact that an area that was once a Republican stronghold, now has only Democrats representing Ventura County in the state legislature and US Congress.

Our children continue to attend under-performing public schools and face growing concerns in attending community college caused by AB705. Many Latinos face a lack of access to quality health care including behavioral health and cultural and linguistic competent services. Despite claims of a great national and state economy, California continues to rank No. 1 in poverty in the nation and has an estimated 16.9% in Ventura County in 2017. Homelessness plagues the many who are without shelter, employment and vital services that also present very serious challenges to local businesses in the downtown area. Fiscal deficits continue to challenge the stability of the county and the city of Oxnard. The agricultural industry pays some of the highest wages in the state, but farmworkers must also deal with high pesticide use, rents skyrocketing 41.2% over the past four years, which severely limits housing options for many. Economic growth is stagnant with no concrete plan in sight. As we move to a society that focuses on “millennials” we continue to turn the page on the contributions of our elderly, the challenges they and persons with physical and mental disabilities confront.

Latinos must provide the answers to these problems and it will begin and end with the level of participation we exert at the ballot box. We must engage in the democratic process we are privileged to be a part of this state and nation. WE MUST EDUCATE OURSELVES, HOLD ACCOUNTABLE ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND VOTE! This candidate town hall meeting needs your attendance and participation! Food will be provided.

Sponsors:

Lulac
Mixteco.org
CAUSE
Santa Paula Latino Town Hall
Clinicas del Camino Real
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
CAUSE Action Fund
Liuna Laborers’ Local 585

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is proud to be a partner with HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) for the 2019 Latina Empowerment Day, a one-day intensive workshop series created to empower Latinas to increase their community advocacy and strengthen their skills and knowledge on a variety of issues.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13, at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard/Ventura, 600 Esplanade Drive in Oxnard.

Latinas are a major force in the economy by population size, rising educational attainment, and considerable purchasing power, said Maya Gomez-O’Candis, Research and Communications Strategist at HOPE.

“Latinas make up nearly 20 percent of California’s overall population, they are enrolling in college at record rates, and the rate of creation of Latina-owned businesses continues to exceed the national average. The economic success of Latinas is inextricably linked to the economic sustainability of California. For this reason, it is important to provide Latinas with the necessary tools to advance their careers and to amplify their voices on public policy issues. HOPE aims to provide these tools via the Latina Empowerment Day workshop series,” she said.

This year’s topics include small business financial literacy, advancing in your career and California’s energy goals.

“The workshops bring Latinas personal and professional development tools including career advancement strategies and insight on how to start your own business. Participants will also develop a basic understanding of California’s Greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals and learn how they can engage their communities about energy and environmental issues,“ Gomez-O’Cadiz said.

Nidia Rodriguez, Director of Human Resources at Cabrillo attended the event last year.

“I enjoyed the networking aspect of the event, I was able to meet new community members and reconnect with colleagues. There were good speakers and on the housing end, it was great to learn about California’s energy goals as they related to new construction,” she said. I would encourage any Latina professional who is active in her community and looking to build personal and professional development skills to attend,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to connect, recharge and engage with fellow Latinas in Ventura County.”

Registration for the event is $25 for early bird registration, which ends Aug. 30 and $35 thereafter. To register or learn more about the event, visit the online registration page at led19ventura.eventbrite.com. For questions please contact [email protected].

This event is presented by the California Corporation (CRC), the California Teacher’s Association (CTA), Southern California Edison, SoCalGas, and Wells Fargo. HOPE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit all communities and the status of women.