Over 1,800 are Homeless in Ventura County According to a January 2010 Survey

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During the last week of January 2010, the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition coordinated a count of homeless individuals in Ventura County.

A person was considered homeless in the survey if he/she fell within the Department of Housing and Urban Development definition, residing in 1) places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks and abandoned buildings, 2) in an emergency shelter or 3) in transitional housing for homeless persons.

In its April 2010 report, the Coalition counted 1,815 homeless individuals, keeping in mind that the count understated the actual number due to the complexities involved. The count in 2009 was 2,193 and the previous count in 2007 was 1,961. Here are some details from the latest count:

  • 88% were adults and 12% were children
  • 5% of the adults counted were 62 or older
  • 67% of the adults were men and 33% were women
  • 117 families were counted, the majority (74%) of which were single-parent families

Of the 1,815 reported homeless, 601 were in Ventura, 520 in Oxnard, 229 in Simi Valley, 223 in unincorporated areas, 106 in Thousand Oaks, 54 in Santa Paula, 52 in Ojai, 15 in Camarillo, 9 in Port Hueneme, 5 in Fillmore and 1 in Moorpark.

The Coalition noted this count does not include people at risk of becoming homeless. In 2000, there were 42,000 households, consisting of about 130,000 people (20% of Ventura County at that time) whose households earned less than $25,000 per year. Additionally, 8%, or close to 64,000 Ventura County residents, were living below the poverty level*.

If you encounter someone in need, refer them to this list of Ventura County homeless shelters and hot meal providers.

* 2010 Poverty Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services is $10,830 for a 1 person family, $14,570 for 2, $18,310 for 3, $22,050 for 4 and so on.

The Ventura County Maritime Museum is More Than Doubling its Size in 2011!

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The Ventura County Maritime Museum is currently located at Fisherman’s Wharf, on the corner of Channel Islands Boulevard and Victoria Avenue in Oxnard.  The Museum was opened in 1991 and will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in February.  The permanent collection includes an unbelievable array of fine maritime art, a large number of exquisitely detailed model ships, and other marine artifacts.  The Museum is open seven days a week from 11 to 5 and has always offered free admission.  The Museum is staffed by one full time employee and 4 part time employees, and this small staff is adequate only because of the over 80 active volunteers.

Because of impending redevelopment and the desire for a larger facility, the Museum is moving from its present 5,000 sq ft location to a larger 12,000 sq ft facility on the west side of the harbor.  The Museum has purchased the rights to a building, the old Port Royal restaurant, and has entered into a long term lease with the County.  Our selected architectural firm, Lauterbach and Associates, has completed the

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Local Nonprofit Fuzzy Dog and Cat Rescue Saves Animals' Lives

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Santa Monica based nonprofit Fuzzy Dog and Cat Rescue, Inc. has rescued, rehabilitated and placed nearly 200 animals since 2005.

Scooby-Roo's Story

Credit: Bark Pet PhotographyScooby-Roo was found covered in scrapes and wounds on his chest.  He was cowering in fear and fighting to live.  Poor little Scooby-Roo was found missing limbs and he was thumping around to get by.  He was most likely born without his front two legs and that’s why his people no longer wanted Scooby-Roo.  He is only 7 months of age and a bundle of joy.  Last week he was custom-fitted for his wheels with the donations that came in from Michael Jackson Fans, and celebrities like Alyssa Milano and Shannon Elizabeth. ABC News recently covered the story:

Angel's Story

"Angel" (Credit Fuzzy Rescue)A volunteer was at a local vet’s office getting monthly antigen shots for her personal dog with allergies. There was a woman sobbing in the lobby and we asked her why she was crying.  She regularly feeds her dogs chicken and steak bones, and one of her dog had gotten a steak bone lodged in her esophagus near the larynx (see the x-ray below).  She didn’t want to pay money for the dog’s surgery, and/or refused to take the dog to the emergency for this matter.  She propped the dog on the treatment table, and opted to put her down.  This dog, whose name is Angel, was wagging her tail and licking the owner’s hands waiting to be killed.  Her teeth were covered in tartar and she was unspayed.

Angel's X-Ray (Fuzzy Rescue)They could not see this dog die, so they asked for Angel.  She is sweet and extremely mellow, 7 years young.  The owner signed a relinquishment form and Angel was rushed to Advanced Critical Care and Internal Medicine in Tustin.  The entire treatment cost Fuzzy Dog and Cat $6,500 because it involved oxygen, nearly a week of hospitalization, peg tube, tracheotomy, IV fluids, 8 medication and endoscopy to have the steak-bone removed.

Would you like to help? The organization is seeking donations to help pay for Angel's treatment.  And they are seeking a new home for Angel!

Fuzzy Rescue is a no-kill 501(c)3 nonprofit animal welfare organization.  All donations are tax deductible.  For more information, visit www.fuzzyrescue.org.

United Parents: Local Nonprofit Helping Families with Children Having Mental, Emotional, Behavior Problems

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United Parents is a parent run, non-profit, professional organization providing services to families with children who have mental, emotional and behavioral problems. United Parents was founded over two decades ago on the principle that parents helping parents makes a difference in shaping a better future for our children and our community.

Do you know a child (or parent) that:

  • Is Suicidal
  • Always angry
  • Makes you always angry
  • Has trouble in school
  • Needs help with drugs
  • Is a teen parent
  • Is always sad
  • Gets violent for NO reason
  • Is always disruptive
  • Makes you feel out of control
  • Causes chaos in your home
  • Has no hope

What we do

  • Support—so parents don’t feel isolated
  • Respite—parents can take a break, regroup
  • Education to help manage special challenges
  • Activities for children, encouraging competent, pro-social behaviors and random acts of kindness
  • Knowledge about effectively navigating the many “systems” touching our children.
  • Advocacy so children receive services to help them succeed in schools and the community.
  • Peer to peer advice & guidance during difficult times.

“A parent’s hope for tomorrow”

If you know a family struggling to raise a child with emotional, behavioral and/or mental disorders, maybe we can help.

Monthly parent support groups in Simi Valley, Fillmore, Camarillo, Westlake Village (recently formed), Oxnard and Northridge. Foster parent association meetings in Ventura. There is also a new support group forming in Agoura.  United Parents offers free childcare during these sessions.

Visit www.unitedparents.org or call 805.384.1555 for more info or CLICK HERE for a flier.