Mercy House Ventura County

🌟 Thank You, Anacapa Middle School! 🌟

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible students, families, and staff at Anacapa Middle School for their generosity and community spirit!
Through their Sock-tober sock drive, they collected over 300 pairs of socks and several warm jackets, all of which will go directly to support Mercy House shelters and Ventura County’s homeless population.

These donations will make a meaningful difference, especially as we head into the colder months. It’s inspiring to see young leaders in our community stepping up to help those in need. Thank you, Anacapa Middle School, for showing that compassion and kindness can go a long way in creating a better world for everyone. 💙🧦

🎃🐾 Calling all animal lovers! We are seeking donations of pet costumes, toys, treats, and food to support our clients' furry companions this fall. Your generous contributions will bring joy to both pets and their owners.

Donations can be dropped off at Mission Animal Hospital, 1455 E. Main Street, Suite 100, Ventura.

For any questions, feel free to reach out to our Community Engagement Specialist, Anna Varela, at [email protected] or (714) 836-7188 ext 400.

Thank you for helping us spread some love and care to these deserving pets! 🐶🐱❤️

✨October Staff Highlight✨
Isaac began his journey with Mercy House as a floater, assisting wherever needed. Since then, he has grown tremendously! Now serving as the Safety Coordinator at the Oxnard Navigation Center, Isaac is always one of the first to take initiative, helping his team provide the best possible care for our guests.
Thank you for all you do, Isaac! 🥰

Volunteers Needed! Help Mercy House Organize Clothes Donation Storage

Mercy House needs your helping hands to organize our clothes donation storage spaces at the Oxnard Navigation Center and The ARCH Ventura. These clothes are essential for our clients as they enter the shelter, providing them with clean sets of clothes to change into and a fresh start.

Organize Donations: Sort and arrange clothes by size, type, and season.
Prepare for Distribution: Ensure our clients have easy access to clean, organized clothing.
Support the Community: Make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Your time and effort will greatly contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our clients. Join us in making a positive impact in our community!

Sign up today by reaching out to Anna Varela, Community Engagement Specialist at [email protected] or (714)836-7188 ext 400 to volunteer or for more information.

Thank you for your support!

🌟 Meet our Oxnard Outreach Specialists! 🌟

At the Oxnard Navigation Center, we’re committed to serving our community with compassion and care. Our two dedicated Outreach Specialists work tirelessly to connect with individuals not yet linked to Mercy House, offering information on resources and services available to them. They also enforce our Good Neighbor Policy, making sure "our side of the street is clean" and fostering a positive environment for everyone.

Thank you to our team for helping make Oxnard a better place for all! 💙

Today is a day of celebration! 🥳🥳
After two years in shelter, Justine, Steven, and their loving pup are finally moving into their own personal space. 🏡🐕
Thanks to the generous donations from P&G, The Artist Tree, and Food Share of Ventura County, they have a Welcome Home Basket filled with essentials to help turn their new house into a home. 🧺💖 We're so proud to see this next step in their journey!

Calling all pet lovers!
🏠 We are reaching out to our amazing community to request donations of dog food to help our client's furry friends stay healthy and well-nourished.

🐕 How You Can Help:
Donate Dog Food: We are collecting dry and canned dog food. Any brand or size is appreciated!

Spread the Word: Share this post to reach more people who may want to contribute.

Donations can be dropped off at 2323 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA or 351 S. K Street, Oxnard, CA.

🙏 Thank you for your kindness and compassion. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of both people and their pets.

For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to contact: Community Engagement Specialist, Anna Varela, at [email protected] (714)836-7188 ext 400

📣Ventura Housing and Homelessness Candidate Forum📣

The Candidate Committee of the Ventura Social Services Task Force (VSSTF) is proud to sponsor a forum each election cycle that focuses exclusively on housing and homelessness in the City of Ventura. This forum provides a unique opportunity for candidates to share their views on these critical issues with the community.

When: September 26th, 6:30pm-8:30pm, doors open at 6pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, Ventura, CA 93003

🌟September Staff Highlight🌟

This month we are highlighting Community Engagement Specialist, Anna Varela.
Anna started with us in July of 2023 and has been such an amazing addition to our team. Her ability to see our needs as shelter operators and housing specialists, really helps tie everything together. From reaching out to the local faith community, and large corporations for donations, to coordinating volunteers and proper distribution of the donations, Anna always strives to keep us closely connected to our community and running as smoothly as possible.

Maintaining strong, energetic and positive connections with our local partners, Advisory Group, and key community members are essential to her role and Anna executes all expectations on a daily basis. Our team appreciates Anna so much, we hope to have her as part of our team for many many years to come.
Keep up the great work Anna!

🚨 Donations Needed: Bath Towels & Shower Shoes 🚨

Our shelters in Ventura County are in need of bath towels and shower shoes for our clients. Your donations will help provide essential comfort and hygiene to those we serve.

Please drop off items at 2323 Knoll Drive, Ventura, or reach out to Anna Varela, Community Engagement Specialist for more information.
[email protected]
(714)836-7188 EXT 400

Thank you for your support! 💙

🌟 A huge thank you to Angel, an Oxnard native, for generously providing free haircuts for our Casa Aliento and Oxnard Navigation Center clients over the last two months! These haircuts are more than just a service—they help restore our clients' dignity and confidence. 🙏

Angel’s connection with Mercy House began through his mother, a former staff member, and his kindness has made a real impact. One of our clients, whose hair Angel cut, is now able to return to work after being sick for the last two years. The fresh haircut will help give him the confidence he needs for his first day. 💇‍♂️💼

Thank you, Angel, for helping our clients feel ready to take on the world again! ✨

💛 A huge THANK YOU to The Artist Tree and their customers for hosting an in-store Welcome Home Basket drive!
Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of our clients as they move into their new permanent homes. These baskets, filled with essential home starter items, are helping our clients start fresh and feel at home.
We are so grateful for your support! 💚

Want to get involved? Contact Community Engagement Specialist, Anna Varela to learn more!
(714)836-7188 ext 400 * * * [email protected]

⭐August Staff Highlight⭐
This month we're highlighting Oxnard Navigation Center's Program Manager, Magen Knight!
Magen has been supporting the largest shelter in Ventura County at 110 beds for the last year now, entering with her experience from previously operating the ARCH as a 55 bed shelter. Her outstanding leadership skills have kept our team of staff working cohesively to operate a safe and clean shelter at all times. She is always willing to help, teach, and grow our team to be the best we can be in such a demanding field!

💐Thank You, Angelica Cisneros!💐

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Angelica Cisneros, District Representative for Senator Monique Limón, for visiting the Oxnard Navigation Center. Your time and attention to the issues our Oxnard community is facing, especially the challenges of our homeless population, mean the world to us. We deeply appreciate your dedication to ensuring that the voices and needs of Senator Limón’s constituents are heard and addressed. Together, we can make a difference!

🚨 Urgent Need for Hygiene Donations! 🚨

Our shelters in Ventura County are in urgent need of hygiene items to support our homeless community. We're asking for donations of:

🧴Travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
🪒Disposable razors and shaving cream
🧴Deodorant and Q-Tips
👕 Men's and women's underwear (all sizes, new)

These items are essential for maintaining dignity and health, and your generosity can make a huge impact. Scan the QR code to visit our Amazon wish list!

Please contact Community Engagement Specialist, Anna Varela, for drop off information: [email protected], (714)836-7188 ext 400

Thank you for your kindness and support!

🌟 Thank You, Orchard Community Church! 🌟

A huge thank you to Orchard Community Church for their generous donation of hygiene kits, shoes, blankets, and clothes to our ARCH shelter. Your unwavering support and advocacy for the homeless population in Ventura have been invaluable. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership and dedication to making a difference in our community. 💛🧴👟🛏️👕

⭐July Staff Highlight⭐
This month we're highlighting The ARCH Ventura's staff member, Kathleen Saj Nelson.
Your consistent performance, infectious smile, and dedication are the pillars of our team’s success. Our leadership team is very proud of your accomplishments and commitment to our guests.
Thank you for your hard work, Saj!

📢 Community Call to Action: Help Us Create Welcome Home Baskets! 🏡✨

We are excited to announce that Casa Aliento Oxnard is almost ready to welcome clients to their Permanent Supportive Housing units! To make their transition smoother, we need your help to create Welcome Home Baskets. These baskets are filled with essentials that will help our clients make their new space feel like home. Items like silverware sets, pots and pans, hand towels, bath towels, hygiene items, shower curtains, shower rods, and cleaning supplies are needed.

This is a wonderful opportunity for group activities, church groups, or anyone looking to make a positive impact. You can drop off your donations at any Mercy House shelter or purchase items directly from our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FWH8G3S1K595?ref_=wl_share

Together, let's make a difference and provide a warm welcome to those starting a new chapter in their lives. Thank you for your support! ❤️

🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You to Café Ficelle! 🌟

We are incredibly grateful to Café Ficelle for their generous donations of fresh artisan bread and pastries to our Ventura County shelters. Your delicious contributions bring joy and nourishment to the homeless population we serve. Your support truly makes a difference in our community. Thank you for being a beacon of kindness and compassion! 💛🍞🥐

⭐June Staff Highlight⭐
Since he started in this position the neighborhood around Oxnard Navigation Center has looked amazing! Nate has a knack for connecting with people. He has given resources to the unhoused and encouraged them to get into the shelter. Nate is a self starter, stepping in when needed without needing to being asked. He is a such an important asset to our team.
Thanks for all you do, Nate! 😁

⭐May Staff Highlight⭐
Louie has been with us since the beginning of 2020. He has been a huge support logistically at Casa Aliento during its operation as a shelter as well as during its transition into PSH. Louie is super helpful, kind, and hard working. We appreciate his dedication and commitment to serve our community, especially in the city of Oxnard.
Thanks for all you do, Louie! 🥰

🌟 Ventura County Community, we need your help! 🌟

Our Housing Navigators have been working hard getting clients connected to supportive services and getting them ready to get back into stable, dignified housing. We now have several folks who have been matched to housing, and need your help to make their space a home!

Here's where you can make a difference!

We're asking for your help in filling Welcome Home Baskets with essential items to help these individuals and families settle into their new homes comfortably. Here's how you can contribute:

🧺 Laundry Baskets
🧼 Laundry Detergent
🛁 Bath and Hand Towels
🧽 Household Cleaning Supplies
🚿 Personal Hygiene Items
🍴 Utensil Sets
🍳 Pots and Pans Sets
🧹 Mops and Brooms

Your donations, big or small, will go a long way in providing a fresh start and a sense of dignity to those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference and create a welcoming environment for our neighbors in need.

Let's show the true spirit of our community and extend a warm welcome to those who are finding their way back home. Thank you for your generosity and compassion!

To donate or for further questions, contact Anna Varela, Community Engagement Specialist, at (714)836-7188 ext 400 or by email at [email protected]

✨ April Staff Highlight ✨
Chris has been essential in our Casa Aliento operations during our transition and has been extremely supportive to our guests, staff, and community partners. We are so grateful to have community service-oriented veterans like Chris. His cheerful attitude and solution-oriented mind help make our team successful. We all appreciate him so much! 💞