A Lasting Legacy Through Dedication

After working as the executive director for NAMI Ventura County (part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) for seven years, Ratan Bhavnani is retiring this summer. ’Helping families is the most critical component to NAMI Ventura County,’ Bhavnani said. ‘When they connect with us they realize that they are not alone and that there … Read more

Extended Learning Academy

Extended Learning Academy

Suz Montgomery, Founder, Executive Director of Extended Learning Academy, who oversees the Extended Learning Academy says that, “Classes keep people engaged in living/learning, since education is a powerful vehicle.” She said that seniors are no longer invisible. “10,000 seniors (Baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964) are going into retirement a day.” (Baby Boomers Retire). … Read more

CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly

“Did you know that CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly in Ventura County is one of the original pilot programs for volunteer caregiving in the nation?” Executive Director Tammy Glenn said that, “CARGIVERS was one of 25 pilot programs founded in 1984. The model in Ventura Count has inspired more than 600 similar programs around the … Read more

Oxnard Woman Conquers Disabilities

The victim of a drunken driver when she was riding in a car at 10 months old, Carol Leish has struggled with speech and vision challenges caused by brain stem trauma most of her life. Now 48, the Oxnard resident with a master’s degree in education and counseling from CSU San Bernardino hopes to serve … Read more