February 2025

Dear Community Members,

Scroll down to view important immigration-related information, job search assistance and skills training available for farmworkers and their families, details on the new chip-enabled EBT cards for CalFresh and CalWORKs clients, upcoming events, and more!

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout our country's history.

Throughout the month, we encourage you to discover and share stories of how Black Americans have helped shape and strengthen our community right here in Ventura County.

Black history is our history.

"Gallery of Heroes" Art Exhibition

You're invited to "Gallery of Heroes: Unseen Works of Robert Lee Greene," a new exhibition now on display at the Atrium Gallery inside the County of Ventura Government Center's Hall of Administration (800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura). The exhibition honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month through Robert Lee (R.L.) Greene’s portraits of African American historical figures, alongside his abstract and landscape paintings celebrating Black cultural heritage.

Greene (1934-2008), a distinguished artist, poet, veteran, community leader and mental health professional, made Ventura County his home for over 50 years. While working at Camarillo State Mental Hospital, he collaborated with renowned artist Henry "Chinatown" Taylor and helped nurture a vibrant African American arts and music community in Oxnard, a legacy connected to musicians like Anderson Paak and Matthew Urango (Cola Boyy). This exhibition showcases Greene’s work from private collections, unseen by the public for at least two decades.

This exhibit will be on display through Feb. 28 during regular business hours. 

Various artworks from the "Gallery of Heroes" exhibit.

Immigrants have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution and California state law. Visit the Resources for California’s Immigrant Communities page on the state attorney general's website to learn more about these rights and protections. 

Swap Meet Justice Citizenship Fair

Visit the Citizenship & Social Justice Fair at the Oxnard College Swap Meet to speak with volunteer immigration lawyers and community members who will answer your immigration questions.

They will also help you with:

• Paperwork for U.S. citizenship
• DACA and green card renewals
• Selective Service applications
• Voter registration
• And more!

When: Last Sunday of every month, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Oxnard College Marketplace & Swap Meet (in front of the gym)

View directions and map.

Appointments are not necessary, and there is NO CHARGE for assistance.

Get more information.

New EBT Chip/Tap Cards on the Way

Chip-enabled EBT cards will soon begin arriving to the mailboxes of CalFresh and CalWORKs clients. You do not need to call to activate your new card. All existing benefits will transfer automatically to your new card, and your PIN will stay the same.

These cards allow you to make contactless payments using tap-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals at retailers, making transactions more secure. This chip upgrade is a major milestone in the fight against EBT fraud.

View more information on this upgrade from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

Client Success Story

"Chris" is living with relatives, but the home has been a constant reminder of childhood trauma. Our Community Services Department referred Chris to our Client Navigation Program for support and linkage to resources to help him transition out of his current living situation.

The Homeless Services Program is now helping Chris in his search for new housing. He hopes to pursue a career in nursing and was provided information on job openings and linked to the WIOA program to get financial assistance with his certified nurse assistant (CNA) certification. A Client Navigation Program resource specialist also informed Chris of services offered by Ventura College to help students with basic needs.

Chris recently sent an email to the resource specialist thanking them for all of the support and resources provided to him. In his email, Chris said, "I am grateful for the time you took to listen to me ... the support I feel is immense."

Stories like this showcase how clients are reaping the benefits of our efforts to deliver tailored services and link them to resources within the Human Services Agency (HSA) and the broader community.

For a complete list of HSA services, visit our website. You can also visit us at one of our Community Service Center sites for employment resources, assistance applying for benefits, and more.

HomeShare: Matching Home Providers With Home Seekers

Ventura County Area Agency on Aging's (VCAAA) HomeShare program matches home providers—primarily older adults—with home seekers willing to help with light chore work, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, or a combination of these in exchange for affordable housing. Homesharing is an alternative way of meeting housing needs that benefits both renters and homeowners.

Visit the VCAAA website to learn more about the HomeShare program, including the application process, or call 805-477-7300.

FREE Produce, Canned Goods and More at Oxnard Community Market

Community Action of Ventura County (CAVC) offers a drive-thru community market twice a month from 8:30 a.m. until noon (or until food runs out) at their facility in Oxnard, 621 Richmond Ave. Stop by and pick up FREE fresh produce, canned goods, and more.

Visit the CAVC website for more information.

Veteran Services Orientation Tuesday, Feb. 11

The Employment Development Department and America's Job Center of California (AJCC) invite veterans and their family members to attend an orientation of services available to veterans. This event will take place Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 10-11:30 a.m. at America's Job Center of California, 2901 N. Ventura Rd. in Oxnard.

Attendees will learn about:

• AJCC employment and training programs.
• Counseling and rehabilitation to get back to work and civilian life.
• VA education and medical benefits as well as federal and local benefits.

Call 805-288-8400 for more information and to register for this event.

View the full job description and benefits summary. Applications are being accepted through Feb. 12, 2025.

The BenefitsCal website is an easy way to get the help you need with food, employment, health care, and more! Visit the site to:

• Apply for benefits.
• Upload documents.
• Report changes.
• Connect with a caseworker.
• Request a replacement benefit card.



BenefitsCal will even send you reminders when it's time to renew your benefits, which you can also do online! Visit BenefitsCal.com to create your account today.

For more updates, visit the Ventura County Human Services Agency website: VCHSA.org