Small Business of the Year! FREE Vol. Vol. 3, No.5, No. 11 14 Published Every Other Published Wednesday Every Other www.venturabreeze.com Wednesday April 18 – MarchMay 1, 102012 - 23, 2010 Venturans Stan Weisel – A discuss man who cares On April 4 a naming and recognition homeless ceremony was held at Ventura College for master donor Stan Weisel at the Ventura solutions, Part 2 College Library & Learning Resources by Tim Pompey Center to celebrate Stan Weisel’s philan- thropy to the college, and his birthday. Reynolds (Clyde Reynolds, Executive Stan Weisel was born in New York Director of Turning Point) agreed that, but grew up in Los Angeles where he even with funding changes in homeless attended Fairfax High School and UCLA services, some type of year-round shelter where he earned a BS degree in chemistry might still be necessary. “I think you can and mathematics and a Masters in make an argument for a small shelter,” education and went on to become a he said. “Not just a warehouse but a place mathematics teacher, and dedicated his for those people who need emergency life to teaching. housing while they’re looking for more He has lived in Ventura for many permanent housing in the community, years and can often be seen playing a shelter for short-term transitional tennis at the VC courts. housing.” He was delighted to be able to make Melinkovich (Marc Melinkovich, In spite of it being a cold windy day the 5th annual Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest, held a $300,000 endowed scholarship to current director of the emergency shelter at Promenade Park on Saturday April 14, was well attended and was a wonderful ensure the future for VC students. The at the armory in Ventura) concurred. “I celebration of Mother Earth and life and provided a wonderful combination of fami- “Stan Weisel Endowed Scholarship” think the first thing you need to do is ly-friendly music, entertainment, education, and storytelling, as well as a multitude will be awarded to female students who incorporate any concept of emergency of activities such as crafts, games, face painting, and a scavenger hunt. Profits from have overcome hardships to become VC shelter with some sort of campus the day-long event go toward funding enrichment programs for kindergarten through students. network,” he said. “I don’t think anyone eighth-grade students at the Ventura Charter School, a tuition-free public school His donation is one of the largest right now is open or receptive to an located off of Ventura Ave. Photos by Richard Lieberman individual donations meant for schol- emergency shelter that exists indepen- arships at the college and will provide help the homeless become not homeless, you run the risk of becoming an enabler to facilitate highly disruptive behavior,” Ventura Family he said. Reynolds noted however that if YMCA raises indeed there was a change in approach to homeless services, especially in the $120,581 downtown area, this change has its own Thanks to the generous contribu- set of challenges. tions of Ventura County residents, the The first is funding and staffing. Ventura Family YMCA’s Campaign for “We would need to redirect and find Youth and Families reached their fund- funding that would pay for additional raising goal to help the Y continue to help staffing,” he said. “More street outreach those in need learn, grow and thrive. The and one-on-one requires more people on Ventura Family YMCA actually passed the streets helping homeless individu- their $115,000 goal by raising $120,581. als learn about and take advantage of Gifts to the Ventura Family YMCA stay available services.” in the community, directly supporting The second problem is one that services and programs that have a positive continues to plague all homeless service impact on residents right here in Ventura County through its Open Doors Program. Clyde Reynolds, Executive Director of providers. “It’s finding housing and As a result of the campaign, the Y Stan Weisel thanked the large gathering for Turning Point, noted that if indeed there was a creating ways to fund housing in the will be able to help more than 385 kids attending his “naming” and birthday party at change in the approach to homeless services this community,” said Reynolds. by giving them a safe place to learn and VC. Photo by John Hankins change has its own set of challenges. The first is Given the difficult community and political obstacles service providers build confidence after school; 154 families funding and staffing. about $15,000 a year in scholarships. have already encountered, expanding monthly allowing them to reconnect Two $5,000 scholarships and five $1,000 dent of some other socialization facility, homeless housing within local commu- and grow together and 276 individuals ones. something like a transition living facility nities could prove to be a tall order. monthly by giving them access to life He stated “I feel many women get and daycare.” However the debate falls in the enriching programs like wellness coaching stuck raising a family without help so it He also believed that simply near future, Reynolds is convinced and nutrition education. is difficult for them to go back to school. providing temporary food and shelter that effective homeless services will As one of the leading nonprofits for This will allow them to return to school.” didn’t go far enough. “I think transi- require more cooperation among service strengthening community through youth Two study areas located in the tional centers are legitimate because if providers. “We need to have an inte- development, healthy living and social Continued on page 4 you don’t have some type of agenda to grated approach, to rethink clustering responsibility, the Ventura Family YMCA them in one place,” he said. “In the past, depends on financial gifts to do its vital While celebrating every city made plans for its own shelter, work so that everyone, regardless of age, but what may make more sense is a income or background, has an opportu- International Workers shelter that is more regional in nature, nity to receive the support and guidance This issue’s Day (May Day) in Prague shared between Ventura, Oxnard and to learn, grow and thrive. other cities—like our current emergency To learn more about the Campaign for Face of Ventura you can always catch warming shelter, only year-round.” Youth and Families, please contact Margo by Johanna Spinks up with the Breeze at For the city of Ventura and other Byrne, Executive Director, by telephone at cities in the county, cooperation could be 642-2131 ext. 17 or email margo.byrne@ is on page 10. venturabreeze.com the key challenge. Whatever the future of ciymca.org, or visit ciymca.org/ventura for Continued on page 4 more information. 2 April 18 – May 1, 2012 Ventura Breeze Summer Planning Destination Science for your family in Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Ventura County Gold Coast Gymnastics Following are just some of the Organizations Gracie Morumbi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offering Summer Fun in Ventura County. There & Fitness are HUNDREDS of Classes, Camps, Tutoring House of Dance and Swim Programs being offered locally. A Huntington Learning Center complete up-to-date list with links and contact information can be found on: iD Tech Camps www.ventura-ca.parentclick.com Ignite Creative Learning aCtiVitieS Kindermusik with Katie Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Buena Lanes Little League Challengers Gamez On Wheelz Magdaleno School of Baseball Golf N Stuff Michael Jordan Flight School Paintball USA Montessori School of Ojai Performances to Grow On My Gym Pump it Up Oak Grove School SB Museum of Natural History & Ojai Recreation Dept Ty Warner Sea Center Pacific Camps The Armory Peppercorn Ranch The Clubhouse Fun Zone Pierpont Racquet Club Vertical Heaven Pleasant Valley Recreation and Wheel Fun Rentals Park District CamPS & ClaSSeS Robotics And Things Airealistic Circus and Flying School Rubicon Theatre Company AYSO - UK International Soccer Safety Town, SB Camps Sandcastle Music Together Ballet Academy Ventura Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts Boy Scouts of America Thirty 3 and a Third Boys & Girls Clubs of Ventura US Youth Volleyball League Buenaventura Swim Club Valerie’s Yoga for Kids CALL: (805) 487-6070 California Heat Volleyball Ventura County Fusion CLICK: [email protected] VISIT: AAA Ventura Branch C.A.T.S. Summer Camps Ventura Packers Youth Football & Cheer 1501 S Victoria Ave Ventura Ca 93003 Children’s Haven Visionary Dance Arts City of Ventura–Parks, Recreation, and YMCA - Channel Islands Community Partnerships Young at Arts Studios Delano Athletica Jr Gymnastics Young Writers Camp Traveling to and from LAX has never been easier! $35 one way, $65 round trip. Fuel surcharge will apply. Discounts for groups and charters Depart Ventura 4:30am • 6:30am • 8:30am • 10:45am • 1:00pm • 3:15pm • 5:30pm • 7:30pm • Oxnard departs 15 minutes later. • No departures: 7:30pm Vta, 7:45pm Oxn, 9:30pm LAX-on Saturdays only. Depart LAX 6:30am • 8:30am • 11:00am • 1:00pm • 3:15pm • 5:30pm • 7:30pm • 9:30pm Holiday Inn is charging $5 a day for parking. 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