2nd Annual Awards Event Underway for Ventura County Community Development Corporation
The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be celebrating its 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony, “Leading People Home”, on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo by honoring four individuals with prestigious named awards for their work in transforming lives through community partnerships, transformational leadership, and homeownership affordability and creation.
VCCDC’s impact of changing lives through homeownership for the last 21 years began as an operational venture by co-founders Rodney Fernandez and Bertha Garcia. In 2014, VCCDC was spun-off, becoming the only CDFI based nonprofit serving low-to-moderate income families with mortgages in the Ventura County. This year’s ceremony will highlight the honoring of three individuals and one organization whose commitments mirror VCCDC’s mission to strengthen and sustain vibrant communities by empowering individuals and families to build wealth through education and homeownership.
“VCCDC looks forward to honoring the contributions made by three individuals and one organization who have committed countless hours to improving the lives of families and individuals through investment of time, resources, and advocacy, thereby underscoring important community engagement, visionary leadership, and lifetime of excellence,” said Executive Director Bertha Garcia. “These awards are named after individuals who are the reason why VCCDC exists and continues to touch the lives of over 2,000 future homeowners and families each year since 2001.”
VCCDC Awards and the respective winners are:
-Rodney Fernandez Founder’s Award for Excellence in Visionary Leadership will be presented to Linda Braunschweiger, Executive Director, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County and Housing Land Trust Ventura County
-Michael McGuire Award for Excellence in Community Partnership will be presented to the County of Ventura Executive Office, Community Development Department
-Ernest Baskette, Jr. Award for Excellence in Community Support will be presented to Oxnard Police Commander Luis Mc Arthur
-Lynn L. Jacobs Award for Excellence in Lifetime Leadership will be presented to John Gamboa, Founder and Board Chairman of California Community Builders
“A new award this year is our tribute to Lynn L. Jacobs and her exemplary work throughout Ventura County as Founder of Ventura Affordable Homes, Inc., and as California’s Director of Housing and Community Development. Her work and dedication were paramount to VCCDC’s earlier success in acquiring the necessary funding for low- to moderate-income mortgage funding.”
Keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony is California Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency Lourdes Castro Ramirez, whose start in housing was at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation where VCCDC roots began.
Citibank and Wells Fargo Bank are Presenting Sponsors of the 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony and additional sponsors include California Bank & Trust, CIT/First Citizens Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, Premier America Credit Union, U.S. Bank, Mechanics Bank, County of Ventura, HOME, Montecito Bank & Trust, CA Community Builders, The Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District, and the Oxnard Peace Officers’ Association.
“We are grateful to the amazing contributions made by our award recipients, members, and sponsors. Together we help support vibrant communities, one family, one home at a time,” Garcia added.
For tickets and more information please visit: www.vccdc.org/awards