by Sylvia Muñoz Schnopp
(OXNARD, CA) Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on October 21, 2021, marking the organization’s impact of transforming lives through homeownership for two decades. Beginning as an operational venture under Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, VCCDC was created in 2001, paving the way for the organization to become the only CDFI based nonprofit serving low-to-moderate income families with mortgages in the Ventura County.
“Our work over twenty years has been a living testament of our mission to strengthen and sustain vibrant communities by empowering individuals and families to build wealth through education and homeownership,” said Bertha Garcia, executive director. “We have exceeded our expectations, supporting over 18,000 individuals in achieving financial literacy and providing more than $160 million in first and second mortgage loans,” she added.
Bank of the Sierra is the Title Sponsor of 20th Anniversary celebration, and Presenting Sponsors include California Bank & Trust, CIT Bank, Premier America Credit Union, Pacific Western Bank, U.S. Bank, and Union Bank. Additional event sponsors include County of Ventura, Mechanics Bank, Southern California Gas Company, Ventura County Credit Union, CBC Federal Credit Union, Montecito Bank & Trust, and The Port of Hueneme.
The organization’s success was built on legacies inspired by three former board members of which VCCDC will acknowledge at event. “We are establishing three annual awards honoring Rodney Fernandez, Mike McGuire, and Ernest Baskette, Jr. for their visionary leadership, community partnership, and support. Their courage, tenacity, and commitments were paramount to our continued accomplishments,” Garcia added.
The VCCDC Awards and 2021 recipients are:
– Rodney Fernandez Anniversary Founder’s Award – Excellence in Visionary Leadership-
Recipient: Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez
– Ernest Baskette Award – Excellence in Community Support – Recipient: City of Oxnard
– Mike McGuire Award – Excellence in Community Partnership –
Recipient: Theresa Bardwell/Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
“We’ve only just begun. There is vast amount of work underway in order to help create the home as more than just a shelter, enabling this to be the cornerstone of a family’s economic, environmental, and social well-being that has a ripple effect throughout our community. We are grateful for the overwhelming support received in order to be a viable organization that invests in our communities through individuals and families, one home at a time,” she added.
ABOUT VCCDC: The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that has worked to fulfill its mission of empowering families through education and homeownership. Since its inception in 2001, VCCDC has originated over $162M in mortgage loans; provided more than $9M in down payment assistance; provided education and one-on one coaching to over 18,000 families and individuals; and invested more than $32M in community revitalization through its Acquisition and Rehab program. These and other achievements have contributed to improved economic conditions throughout the communities VCCDC serves. VCCDC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a housing counseling agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). VCCDC is comprised of certified and licensed professionals with deep, personal desires to make the world a better place to live. From educational services, including workshops and one-on-one coaching, to lending and realty support, including down payment assistance, VCCDC ensures clients are supported from start to finish of the homebuying process. VCCDC serves clients in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, and Los Angeles Counties. www.vccdc.org
***
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
