News Release
VENTURA, Calif. – In a unanimous vote during the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 6, the Board of Supervisors approved the finalization of the purchase of the property at 545/555 S. A Street in the City of Oxnard with the intention of establishing the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center. The location, a two-story, 32,000 sq. foot building, will become the home of the second Family Justice Center located in the county. The support services provided are administered by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and will serve residents primarily located in the cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme.
“The completion of this purchase means that we are steps closer to meeting the needs of the victims who need the services the most closer to home and making those services more accessible,” stated District 5 Supervisor Vianey Lopez. “I am grateful to those who have worked so hard to make the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center a reality for residents in Oxnard and Port Hueneme.”
“Carmen worked really hard, all her life for those less fortunate and this facility will serve that population” her husband Roy Prince told the Board. “I have a lot of gratitude for the possibilities that will be opened up for people who need these services.”
The finalization and purchase of the property will be executed by the Public Works Agency. Total cost for the purchase of the property will be $5M – $4.1M will be for purchasing costs and $40,000 for closing costs. Improvements needed on the property are estimated at $860,000.
“Years of planning and coordination with the county, the City of Oxnard, and community partners has led us to where we are today,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center will make a significant impact on victims of crime, while honoring the legacy and devotion to service that Carmen will always be remembered for.”
“The placement of a Family Justice Center in Oxnard will provide a service to the residents that need it most,” stated Chief Jason Benites, Chief of Police for the Oxnard Police Department. “We’ve looked forward to the opportunity to partner together in the provision of services to residents.”
Following the opening of the first Ventura County Family Justice Center in 2019, 33 percent of all clients seeking services have been residents of Oxnard. The creation of a second location, in the city of Oxnard, will provide an important resource to underserved victims in a more accessible location. The Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center is a collaboration between the City of Oxnard, the County of Ventura, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office with an anticipated opening date of Summer 2024.
More information on the Ventura County Family Justice Center can be found at www.vcfjc.org.
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