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(Ojai, CA – November 9, 2023) Each year, the Ojai Valley Women’s Fund is privileged to award substantial grants to local organizations that target critical needs in five focus areas. This year, member donations provided grants to seven nonprofit organizations to support their continued service to the residents of the Ojai Valley with grants totaling $85,635. The Ojai Women’s Fund has provided grants totaling over $700,000 since 2016.
This special event is the culmination of the year’s research to discover where Ojai Women’s Fund can make the most of our contributions in the following categories: Arts, Education, Environment, Health and Social Services.
ARTS
Ojai Festivals, LTD - Artists-in-Residence
Ojai Festivals, Ltd. was awarded $15,000 for the Artists-in-Residency program. Six musicians perform interactive concerts in the classroom where students can ask questions, sample the instruments, and participate in making music. “This program is an inspiring time for children to learn about the lives of musicians, styles of music, and the possibilities for their own lives.” Speaking for the organization, BRAVO Education Coordinator Laura Walter shared one student’s reaction to the experience. “I didn’t know there was so much beautifulness.”
Performance to Grow On - Ojai Storytelling Festival
Performances to Grow On received $9,600 to present artistic performances encompassing various artistic and cultural traditions to audiences of all ages through renowned national and international touring companies. Executive Director Kara Lakes said, “Ojai Storytelling embraces diverse artistic and cultural traditions to provide social, emotional, and educational enrichment about the history and diversity of the community through live performances. Every child is represented on stage.”
EDUCATION
Secure Beginnings
Secure Beginnings serves parents and children during the critical first five years of life by providing education, counseling, peer support, mentorship, early intervention and referrals, and free diapers to low-income families. This $11.435 grant expands the 1:1 ratio parent/caregiver Consultation Program to address concerns for the Spanish-speaking community with bilingual marketing and recruitment. “Parenting young children takes stamina and resilience. With this support, we will serve our Spanish-speaking community.”
Ojai Valley Youth Foundation
With the financial issues impacting the Ojai Unified School District, the Youth Foundation is prepared to offer exceptional after-school educational opportunities for junior high and high school students with its $9,600 grant. Classes include cooking, music, environmental activism, art, robotics, touring museums and visiting college campuses, horseback riding, and car designing. “In the School of Rock, ex-rockers teach these kids band and performance. The robotics team is exploring marine robotics,” said Jamie Fleming, executive director of the program.” Thank you for helping to allow these Ojai students to continue to expand their horizons outside of the classroom.”
ENVIRONMENT
Ventura Land Trust - Ventura Wild Outdoor Education Program
The Ventura Wild Program is an immersive educational initiative that connects children with nature through outdoor experiences. The VLT is dedicated to preserving open spaces and providing opportunities for low-income Ojai households to enroll in the program. The $10,000 grant will lead to more equitable access and generations of Ojai youth developing a greater appreciation of open spaces and connection to their environment. “Ventura Wild strongly believes that time in nature is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children for a sustainable future, said Chris Chaleunrath, development director.
HEALTH
OjaiCARES - Patient Navigation/Survivorship Program
OjaiCARES provides multidimensional support to patients when they are newly diagnosed with cancer, assisting with the navigation of their health journey in all aspects. Answering questions, providing tools, setting goals, and helping patients to “leave that first meeting with hope,” said Susan Kapadia, executive director. “This $15,000 grant will help us sustain and continue to provide our clients with one of the first steps in their cancer journey: patient navigation.” Before 2013, individuals dealing with cancer in the Ojai Valley had to drive to Santa Barbara or Ventura to receive support. OjaiCARES is a comprehensive cancer resource center with advocacy, support groups, oncology massage, reiki, guided imagery, and transportation.
SOCIAL SERVICES
HELP of Ojai - Housing Assistance Fund
Jayn Walter, co-executive director of HELP of Ojai, pointed out that it would require earning $47 per hour to afford the rent of $2,500 per month. “Low- and middle-income are being forced out of housing. HELP of Ojai will use the grant for the Community Assistance Program’s Housing Assistance Fund Inclement Weather Program. This provides temporary shelter to the most vulnerable community members due to inclement weather, health issues, and domestic violence.
“OWF’s $15,000 grant means the Ojai Valley’s most vulnerable, unhoused, and housing-insecure community members can access safe shelter during emergencies. Families and older adults will have access to a warm bed instead of another night on the street.”
The Ojai Women’s Fund is an all-volunteer collective Giving Circle dedicated to making substantial grants on an annual basis. The recipient organizations target critical needs in the Ojai
Valley.
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Photo Caption: Photo Caption: The 2023 OWF Grantee Winners, left to right: Jamie Fleming, Jayn Walter, Kara Lakes, Trudy Trudeau, Renee Mandala, and Susan Kapadia. Not pictured, Laura Walter. Photo courtesy of Stephen Adams.
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