By El Latino Newsroom
The Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation (VCFJC Foundation) has received a $100,000 grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) to strengthen emergency assistance for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder and dependent adult abuse, and hate crimes.
The funding, awarded through VCCF’s Incidence of Violence Prevention Fund, will expand support for victims and their families served by the county’s Family Justice Centers.
The announcement was made in November 2026, following Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, a time dedicated to raising awareness about abuse and highlighting the resources available to survivors.
The grant follows recommendations outlined in VCCF’s Incidence of Violence in Ventura County report. The report identified the importance of supporting Family Justice Centers, particularly in underserved communities, as a way to reduce barriers that prevent victims from accessing help.
Tina Knight, executive director of the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation, said the funding comes at a critical time as the county prepares to open two additional centers.
“The County is opening two new Family Justice Centers next year, one in Oxnard and one on the California Lutheran University campus, with the goal of improving access for victims throughout the County,” Knight said.
The expansion is expected to increase demand for the Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Program, which provides essential supplies and services to people who often leave abusive situations with little or nothing.
The program offers clothing, toiletries and infant care supplies, as well as connections to shelters, food resources and financial assistance for other urgent needs.
Knight emphasized that these basic necessities can make a significant difference for people trying to escape abuse and establish a safe environment for themselves and their families.
“These may sound like small things, but when someone is fleeing an abusive situation, they can be the things that make it possible to leave—and stay safe,” she said.
Immediate assistance and coordinated services for victims
Since opening in 2019, the Ventura County Family Justice Center has assisted more than 1,000 victims and their family members each year through its collaborative service model.
The center operates as a one-stop resource hub, bringing together direct services, partner agencies and community resources to provide comprehensive support for survivors.
Its approach is designed to reduce trauma, prevent repeat victimization and lower the risk of victims returning to abusive situations. By coordinating services in one location, the center seeks to make it easier for individuals and families to access the help they need during a particularly difficult period.
Vanessa Bechtel, president and CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation, said the grant reflects the importance of providing more than awareness campaigns when addressing domestic violence.
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us that supporting survivors requires more than raising awareness. It requires sufficient accessible resources, strong community partnerships, and a sustained commitment to helping people move forward,” Bechtel said.
She added that the foundation appreciates the organizations and community partners working alongside survivors and considers the grant an important contribution to those efforts.
“This investment is an important part of VCCF’s commitment to the safety and well-being of individuals and families affected by violence in Ventura County,” she said.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko also welcomed the funding, emphasizing that victims should not have to choose between meeting their families’ basic needs and finding a way to safety.
“No one should have to choose between meeting their family’s basic needs and finding a way to safety,” Nasarenko said.
He noted that immediate assistance can help remove practical obstacles for people seeking protection, restore stability and give families an opportunity to begin rebuilding their lives.
The district attorney also expressed gratitude to the Ventura County Community Foundation and its donors for investing in services that demonstrate community support for survivors.
Community partnerships strengthen violence prevention efforts
The grant also highlights the role of donors and philanthropic organizations in addressing violence as a public health issue.
By investing in coordinated services for victims and their families, community organizations can help address the immediate effects of abuse while supporting long-term pathways toward safety, healing and stability.
The funding is intended not only to provide emergency resources but also to reinforce a network of services that helps survivors move forward and reduces the likelihood of further victimization.
Community members are encouraged to remain involved throughout the year by learning to recognize signs of domestic violence, sharing information about available resources and supporting organizations that assist survivors.
The Foundation also stresses the importance of building a community where individuals and families can live free from violence and have access to support when they need it.
For more information about the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation and ways to support services for victims and survivors, visit www.vcfjcfoundation.org.
About the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation
The Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation supports programs, services and resources that help victims and survivors of violence in Ventura County recover, rebuild and move forward. Through philanthropic partnerships and community support, the Foundation strengthens the Family Justice Center’s collaborative approach to trauma-informed care and violence prevention.
For more information, visit www.vcfjcfoundation.org.
About the Ventura County Community Foundation
The Ventura County Community Foundation works to strengthen Ventura County through philanthropy and community investment. Its mission is to connect people, resources and solutions to create a lasting impact in the community.
Its Incidence of Violence Prevention Fund supports efforts to address violence and benefit individuals, families and communities throughout the county, in alignment with its Incidence of Violence in Ventura County report.
For more information, visit www.vccf.org.
About the Ventura County Family Justice Center
The Ventura County Family Justice Center provides a welcoming environment where survivors of all ages and their families can receive comprehensive, holistic services focused on their overall well-being.
Through a collaborative approach, the center offers a safe space that uses strength-based practices to end abuse and exploitation, pursue justice and create pathways toward hope.
For more information, visit fjc.venturacounty.gov.
