JOIN US FOR A FARM WORKER EXPERIENCE AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF FARM WORKER HOUSING!
Saturday, November 28th at 8:15 a.m.
3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura
Meet at Our Lady of Assumption Church Parking Lot, will provide a map to sites that will include:
- New farm worker homes at Villa Cesar Chavez, Oxnard
- Adobe Ranch strawberry field, Ventura
- Housing currently occupied by farm workers
- Villa Victoria homes for reflection and prayer for farm workers
You will have the opportunity to discuss with all those involved in the critical issue of farm worker housing – farmers, farm workers and housing advocates.
To sign up for the event, please contact Doug Riley at 805-844-9489.
This event is sponsored by House Farm Workers! and Ventura County Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (VC CLUE).
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON BENEFIT RAISES $80,000 FOR FARM WORKER HOUSING
The Kris Kristofferson concert was held Saturday, May 30th at the Majestic Theater, and almost 700 people attended the performance. Prior to the concert, a multi-media presentation produced in conjunction with the Farm Bureau entitled “A Home of Their Own” with an introduction by Martin Sheen was shown. Ellen Brokaw was presented with a plaque honoring her years of service with the Ag Futures Alliance Farm Worker Housing Task Force.
“We were so fortunate to have raised $80,000 to build safe, affordable homes for farm workers” said committee member Ellen Brokow. “We have a long road to go, but the children of the farm workers were the big winners of the evening’s event.” Proceeds from the silent auction will be used to provide educational support for some of these children.
We could not have had such a successful evening without the support of Limoneira Company, our presenting sponsor, and the many other generous sponsors. “Our businesses, restaurants, and farmers continually rise to the occasion to support our community” said Tim Kilcoyne, owner of the Side Car Restaurant who organized the food and oversaw the food and wine service by youth from City Corps. Gail Weller Brown, chair person for the committee concurs. “What a great team effort!” Everybody pulled together to create a special evening. We had wonderful silent auction items, Gail Pidduck’s beautiful artwork, and printing sponsored by Frank Boross from Clark’s printing. Jeff Becker from the Becker Group, and Affinity Bank let us use their property for signage. Thank you also goes to Mark Hartley and Jim Rice who donated their beautiful restaurant for the sponsor reception.
For more information about the Kris Kristofferson concert or about the House Farm Workers Program, please contact Sonja Flores at 805 921-0430 or email .
HFW! Tackles the County Housing Element
As its major policy effort for 2008-2009, the House Farm Workers! project has taken on getting more farm worker housing friendly policies adopted in the County General Plan and the general plans of the cities in Ventura County. Members of the project have received training on the complexities of these planning documents and how to best inform decision makers about community needs for affordable housing. The members of the project have asked the Board of Supervisors to take a proactive stance on inclusionary housing, suggesting that:
- Inclusionary housing ensures that low-income housing is provided as the county’s stock of vacant land is developed
- 8 of the 10 cities have Inclusionary Housing programs
- Inclusionary housing provides affordable housing at no cost to taxpayers
- It assures mix of housing to meet need
- And avoids segregation
The group has asked to Board to “add a new program to process an ordinance amendment to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.”