805-659-3791 [email protected] 702 County Square Drive,
Ste 200 Ventura, CA 93003

The Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation

Comprehensive Housing Services and Community Economic Development

Cabrillo plans groundbreaking for Ventura development

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation will conduct a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest affordable housing development, Phase II of Snapdragon Place Apartments, at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 5, at Snapdragon Place Apartments, 11094 Snapdragon Street, Ventura.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a reception in the Community Room at Snapdragon Place Apartments. The program will include a welcome address from Cabrillo and its project partners. Following the program, attendees will walk to the building site for the groundbreaking ceremony and photos.

Cabrillo is developing the project in partnership with the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura, which will serve as the property management company.

Snapdragon Place Apartments is a new construction development located at Snapdragon Street and Los Angeles Avenue in East Ventura. Cabrillo completed Phase I of the project, which included 28 units, in 2015. Phase II will provide another 22 homes.

Phase II will consist of five two-story buildings enclosing a landscaped interior courtyard. The unit mix includes four one-bedroom homes (640 square feet), 10 two-bedroom homes (958 square feet), and eight three-bedroom homes (1,177 square feet).

The project will include 11 special needs units, of which, four one-bedroom units are designated for homeless veterans through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program and seven non-VASH units. All units, except for the manager’s unit will have Section 8 vouchers for families and individuals with incomes between 30 to 60 percent of the area median income.

2018 scholarship applications now available

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Applications are now available for the 2018 Rodney Fernandez Leadership Scholarship.

The Rodney Fernandez Leadership Scholarship Program, created in 2011, honors the legacy of Rodney Fernandez, Cabrillo’s founder and Executive Director for 30 years (1981–2011). The Scholarship continues Fernandez’s legacy of community building by cultivating the leadership of residents to attain their goals, empower themselves and to take action and improve the quality of life in their communities.

The Scholarship will award a total of $12,500 to its recipients with $10,000, provided by an Edison International grant to be divided among STEM recipients and $2,500 among recipients of all majors. The amount of each scholarship will be determined based on participation and qualifications.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a Ventura County Resident
  • Household income must be less than or equal to 80% AMI (Area Median Income, See application for more detail)
  • Currently a senior in high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA or currently in the process of applying, enrolled in and/or continuing education in an accredited institution in an undergraduate or graduate program.
  • Applications must be completed, signed, and submitted with all the required attachments to be considered on or before 5 p.m. on FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2018.


Click Here to download the application

How to submit application:

1. Deliver the completed packet to:
CEDC Main Office, 702 County Square Drive, Suite 200, Ventura, CA 93003

2. Mail your completed packet to:
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
ATTN: RCS
702 County Square Drive, Suite 200
Ventura, CA 93003

3. Email your completed packet to:
[email protected]
Subject: RFL Scholarship

For more information, please contact us at our Resident and Community Services Department:
(805) 672-2588 Or (805) 659-3791 Ext. 141 or [email protected].

Cabrillo finishes grading for Snapdragon Phase II 

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Cabrillo has completed grading on Phase II of Snapdragon Place Apartments, and construction is set to commence in March 2018.

 Cabrillo is developing the project in partnership with the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura, which will serve as the property management company.

Snapdragon Place Apartments is a proposed new construction development located at Snapdragon Street and Lost Angeles Avenue in East Ventura. Cabrillo completed Phase I of the project, which included 28 units, in 2015. Phase II will provide another 22 homes.

Phase II will consist of five two-story buildings enclosing a landscaped interior courtyard. The unit mix includes four one-bedroom homes (640 square feet), 10 two-bedroom homes (958 square feet), and eight three-bedroom homes (1,177 square feet).

The project will include 11 special needs units, of which, four one-bedroom units are All units, except for the manager’s unit will have Section 8 vouchers targeting families and individuals with incomes between 30 to 60 percent of the area median income.

The development will share access to the 2,000-square-foot community center completed during Phase I of the project. That space includes open space with a barbecue and play areas.

CEO’s Message: Cabrillo’s First Responders

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As we recover from the Thomas Fires that swept through Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, I am still reminded of the frightening time it was for many Cabrillo residents located in high-risk areas.

Our Property Management team, along with some of our staff members, were on high alert. Many were on Cabrillo’s front lines around the clock, helping our residents who were evacuated in Ventura, Ojai, and Santa Paula’s affordable housing properties. They were Cabrillo’s first responders, and I could not be more proud of their efforts. In addition, our management team volunteered to serve at Ventura’s Local Assistance Center. One of the many positive outcomes is placing a senior resident displaced by the fires in an affordable home. She moved from the Evacuation Center at the Ventura County Fairgrounds to her new home before Christmas.

As we usher in a new year, I am excited about the difference we will make for those we serve. With our community’s support and our dedicated staff, Cabrillo is a direct means to help our low-income farmworkers, families, seniors, veterans and those with disabilities in Ventura County.

The start of 2018 brings new opportunities to move forward new affordable housing projects and work with our community partners to provide our residents with much-needed resources and support.

“I drove out there and witnessed the staff working on their own time to help our residents. Instead of being with their own families, they were out helping our Cabrillo families. Our residents were supporting each other and comforting one another through this scary time. It was really heartwarming to see our staff do something so amazing.”  ~Sher Heard, Cabrillo board member

Events, activities bring Cabrillo residents together

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The Resident and Community Services Department organized a variety of events for residents at Cabrillo properties throughout November and December.

Comedy Health Show
Residents of the Santa Paulan Apartments were treated with a comedy health show on Nov. 17, presented by California State University, Channel Islands, students as part of their Capstone Project. Students provided a presentation on the health benefits of laughter. The presentation included comedy video clips ranging from Milton Berle and Sid Caesar to Jack Benny and Lucille Ball. The nearly 30 residents in attendance each received a goody bag as a reminder that laughter is as beneficial as exercise.

Potluck parties
Residents at Azahar Place Apartments. Valle Naranjal both held potluck events. Azahar Place offered one event Nov. 17, where about 55 residents joined in the event, bringing homemade dishes. Resident Services Coordinator Gloria Solorzano and Property Manager Gaby Vignone organized donations from In-and-Out Burger and Taco de Mexico for residents to enjoy as well. On Dec. 15, they held a holiday potluck, with tamales, posole, chicken and more. Solorzano and Resident Manager Daisy Medina coordinated Valle Naranjal’s potluck party on Dec. 13. The event featured a number of homemade delights.

Toys 4 Tots
Led by Cabrillo’s Resident & Community Services Department in collaboration with the Salvation Army’s Toys 4 Tots campaign, nearly 1,000 toys were distributed to families at Cabrillo properties through their property managers. We are grateful to the Toys 4 Tots program and Marine 1st Sgt. Oscar Hernandez for his help in coordinating the donation and delivery to Cabrillo.

Plaque Dedication
A plaque was dedicated and installed between the s Camino Gonzales/Paseo Del Luz Apartments in memory of Community Building Manager Maria Hernandez on Nov. 23 as a reminder her hard work and dedication the Cabrillo Communities. Maintenance staff members Victor Alcantar, Eddie Aguilar, and Sammy Belmontes were on hand to help with the installation.

Arts and Crafts
Domino’s Pizza treated the Valle Naranjal Homework Club participants on Nov. 22 with a pizza party, recognizing the students for their participation and attendance during a Homework Club meeting in the Community Room just before the Thanksgiving school break.

Cabrillo hires Espinoza as Director of Real Estate Development

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Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of Eduardo Espinoza as its Director of Real Estate Development, overseeing current and future projects.

Espinoza has worked in the field of nonprofit affordable housing since 1999, developing more than 1,500 units of affordable housing (senior, multi-family, single family, and farmworker housing) in California and Texas. He uses his educational background in architecture and project management in assessing site design, project feasibility, and community integration.

Most recently, Espinoza worked at the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) as Senior Project Manager with re-syndicating several of CCF’s multi-family tax credit developments in California’s Central Valley. Eduardo began his introduction into affordable housing as an AmeriCorps Volunteer for the East Los Angeles Community Corporation (ELACC). He eventually worked as a construction manager at ELACC to rehabilitate more than 40 single-family homes in the low-income communities of Los Angeles.

Eduardo currently serves on several community arts and education nonprofit boards, including A La Brava Productions and the Chicano International Film Festival. He also served on the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council (Council District 14) for the City of Los Angeles. As a volunteer, he helped complete the CASA 0101 Community Theater in his hometown of Boyle Heights. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a professional designation in Construction Management from the University of California, Los Angeles.

In other news, Jeanette Villanueva will now serve as Cabrillo’s Director of Fund Development and Communications. Villanueva has been working for Cabrillo as its organizational advancement manager since July 2015 and previously was the Executive Director of the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. She is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in the field.

Villanueva also has served as the Director of University Marketing at California Lutheran University, where she guided the marketing initiatives for graduate and undergraduate programs and managed a full-service marketing department. She also served as the Community Affairs Manager/PIO for the City of Oxnard; Public Relations Director/PIO for Ventura College; and worked as a broadcast journalist for many years.

Villanueva holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University and a bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television/Journalism from CSU Fresno.

Party City helps Cabrillo kids celebrate Halloween

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On Oct. 5, residents at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s (CEDC) Meta Street, Villa Victoria, Wagon Wheel, and Paseo Del Rio/Paseo Santa Clara apartments in Oxnard were able to obtain free Halloween costumes, while sharing their favorite recipes with one another. Beth Parker, Cabrillo’s resident service coordinator, and Paseo Del Rio residents planned the potluck event. With the costumes donated by Party City of Oxnard, CEDC was able to distribute Halloween costume to nearly 70 children.

Meet our AmeriCorps volunteer, Jessica Rios

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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.”

Day of Caring honors Maria Hernandez

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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

Piru health fair brings services to residents

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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.

805-659-3791
[email protected]
702 County Square Drive, Ste 200
 Ventura, CA 93003
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