Congratulations to VCCDC's 3rd Annual Award Recipients!

 

The Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) will be celebrating its 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony, “Leading People Home”, on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo by honoring five individuals with prestigious named awards for their work in transforming lives through community partnerships, transformational leadership, and homeownership affordability and creation.

VCCDC looks forward to honoring the contributions made by four 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. 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. This year VCCDC is proud to present a new award honoring Carmen Ramirez for advocating solutions-based initiatives to provide affordable housing for low-to moderate income households, and championing social, health, and environmental programs to deliver a better quality of life for all. The VCCDC Awards and the respective recipients are:

 
 

RASHI KALLUR

Lynn L. Jacobs Award for Excellence in Lifetime Achievement

Ms. Rashi Kallur drove franchise-wide community development activities for Citi’s Community Relations West Region team and national initiatives for the Citi Foundation in her former role as Vice President and Community Relations Market Manager for the West Region. Throughout her tenure, she developed and managed diverse public and private partnerships to deliver innovative programs and signature initiatives that addressed the dynamic needs of diverse communities. Ms. Kallur served as the local public facing team member to fulfill Citi’s commitment to increase the economic opportunities and empowerment of low-and-moderate income individuals, families and communities throughout California, with a keen focus on the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

She strategically leveraged Citi’s financial and human capital resources to support nonprofit organizations’ affordable housing, small business and economic development programs, and financial inclusion initiatives to support Citi’s efforts to be an engaged community partner and an outstanding corporate citizen. Ms. Kallur spearheaded Citi’s Innovation Fund initiatives that aligned with key public priorities, including Cities for Citizenship, Free Tax Prep LA and the Ventanilla de Asesoría Financiera (Financial Counseling Window) in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (then Mayor Eric Garcetti), Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs, and the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles, respectively.

Ms. Kallur gained rich experiences and knowledge throughout her career at Citi, beginning in January 2003 after the acquisition of California Federal Bank (Cal Fed) where she served in retail bank management roles throughout California for nearly two decades. The second half of her Citi career, Ms. Kallur served in community relations leadership roles, generously providing her expertise and knowledge with national, regional and community organizations and leaders. In 2022, she was formally recognized by Citi’s senior leaders, key external stakeholders, friends and family for 40 years of service with the Bank and local communities.

Ms. Kallur is the recipient of numerous awards, including: 2004 Women of the Year Award by a Los Angeles based non-profit organization; 2006 Housing Hero Award from Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation; and Immigrant Integration Initiatives recognition by The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). She previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ventura County Community Development Corporation; and was appointed to the City of Los Angeles Community Action Board. Ms. Kallur continues to provide community service volunteering with local nonprofits’ home builds, financial coaching and mentoring programs.

During her free time, Ms. Kallur enjoys gardening, traveling and reading. Her most treasured activity is spending time with her daughter and three grandchildren!

Congratulations Rashi Kallur, recipient of VCCDC 2023 Lynn L. Jacobs Award for Excellence in Lifetime Achievement!

BRUCE STENSLIE

Rodney Fernandez Founder's Award for Excellence in Visionary Leadership

Bruce Stenslie has 35 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC).

Prior to joining EDC, Mr. Stenslie served as:

  • Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association,

  • Workforce Board & Policy Director in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Los Angeles (Mayors Hahn and Villaraigosa),

  • Deputy Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency,

  • Executive Director of the Ventura County Workforce Investment Board, and

  • Executive Director of the Candelaria American Indian Academy

In 2013 Mr. Stenslie was elected by his peers as Chair of the California Association for Local Economic Development.

For several years running, Mr. Stenslie has been named by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one the 50 Most Influential in Business.  Earlier in 2023 Mr. Stenslie was named Business Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Council.

Mr. Stenslie is a Governor’s appointee to the California Workforce Development Board and its Executive Committee and serves in leadership positions for several state and local organizations, including:

  • California Stewardship Network,

  • California Academy for Economic Development,

  • California Small Manufacturers Health & Welfare Trust,

  • Pacific Coast Broadband Consortium,

  • Southern California Association of Governments GLUE Council,

  • First 5 Ventura County,

  • Ventura County P-20 Council and

  • Workforce Development Board of Ventura County.

Mr. Stenslie is a frequently invited speaker on policy and practice relating to workforce and economic development and the economic condition of California and the Ventura County region.

Congratulations to Bruce Stenslie, recipient of the 2023 VCCDC Rodney Fernandez Founder’s Award for Excellence in Visionary Leadership!

PEOPLE’S SELF-HELP HOUSING

Michael McGuire Award for Excellence in Community Partnership

Founded in 1970, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is the longest-serving nonprofit housing organization on California’s Central Coast, serving over 10,000 residents in four counties. Their mission is to build affordable homes with site-based services that offer opportunities to change lives and strengthen communities on the Central Coast of California.

You can find a PSHH community in every county on the Central Coast. PSHH currently owns and manages over 2,000 rental units, providing welcoming environments for more than 5,000 residents whose well-being and success drive its mission. PSHH properties are located in rural, urban, and coastal areas, each neighborhood being as different and diverse as their host communities.

From apartments to townhomes, studios to houses, PSHH builds affordable housing for families, seniors, veterans, those living with disabilities, and those transitioning out of homeless. In addition to its rentals, since 1970, PSHH have championed homeownership opportunities through the self-build model. Over 1,200 homes later, PSHH continues to help households build a firm foundation for their futures.

PSHH offers supportive housing which has proven to lead to better health outcomes, career opportunities, and higher educational achievement. PSHH residents are linked to a network of resources, designed to promote wellness and connection. Through dozens of partnerships, PSHH provides residents with enrichment and support to ensure that everyone has the tools needed to succeed.

PSHH ten site-based learning centers offer after school and college prep programming to support students and create pathways for career advancement for adult learners. Every day the vibrant classrooms are filled with students of all ages who have eagerly embraced a culture of learning and are working towards their future goals.

Congratulations to the People’s Self-Help Housing, recipient of the 2023 VCCDC Michael McGuire Award for Excellence in Community Partnership!

JACK HINOJOSA

Ernest Baskette, Jr. Award for Excellence in Community Support

Jack Hinojosa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc. (CDR). Mr. Hinojosa has an extensive background in administration of health care and early childhood education and development programs and more than thirty-six years of working with children and families in Ventura County. Beginning his twenty-third year at CDR, he has held various management and executive positions, including Program Operations Manager (Head Start), Associate Executive Director, (Child Care Programs Department), and was CDR’s first Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective July 1, 2013, for four years.  As CEO, since April 4, 2017, Mr. Hinojosa is responsible for directing the integrated administration and operations of all CDR corporate programs, grants, and contracts.

Founded in 1980, CDR is a private non-profit corporation that receives County, State, and Federal contracts, and grants, which funds the Head Start, Early Head Start, California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Subsidized Child Care Services, and Child Care Resource & Referral Program in Ventura County. CDR employs more than 392 staff that work in its programs and support service departments. Teachers, cooks, eligibility staff, financial staff, administrators, and all staff are highly qualified people with passion for children, and a belief in CDR’s mission, vision, and YES Commitment. 

Mr. Hinojosa has, and currently holds  leadership positions on many local collaboratives and initiatives, including, but not limited to, Essentials for Childhood-Ventura County (E4C-VC) Steering Committee; Co-Chair Early Childhood Coalition; Co-Chair Santa Paula Highest Quality Early Childhood Education Steering Committee “Isabella Project”, Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF); Co-Chair of the Governance Board, Executive Committee, Ventura County Community Information Exchange (VCCIE); and a member of the Family Financial Well-Being Steering Committee, Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC). He led CDR in two important initiatives in partnership with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s), public and private agencies, and the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) – the 2020 Census and Ventura County Complete Reach Committee on COVID-19 vaccine outreach work. Mr. Hinojosa also served as former president and board member with the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network for nine years (2006-2015).

Mr. Hinojosa was recognized as the 2022 Private Non-Profit Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA). 

Mr. Hinojosa continues to be ready to collaborate with new and ongoing partners and always looks forward to exploring creative and innovative ways for building stronger communities.

Mr. Hinojosa was born and raised in Santa Paula and now lives and works in Oxnard. When he is not working, he loves spending time with his daughter, son-in-law, and his six grandchildren.

Congratulations to Jack Hinojosa, recipient of the 2023 VCCDC Ernest Baskette, Jr., Award for Excellence in Community Support!

BARBARA MACRI-ORTIZ

Carmen Ramirez Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Community Impact

Barbara Macri-Ortiz, an attorney in private practice in Oxnard, specializes in all aspects of affordable housing development and landlord-tenant law. Throughout her 35 year legal career she has focused on issues of importance to farm workers and other low wage workers.

Her advocacy and litigation efforts have resulted in the development of over 2,600 new homes for farm workers and other low-income families in Ventura County.

She has served on numerous housing committees, including the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Housing Needs Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors of the California Housing Finance Agency. Prior to opening her own practice in 2001, Ms. Macri-Ortiz was the housing and education specialist at Channel Counties Legal Services for 11 years, and she worked with the United Farm Workers Union for over 20 years in various capacities. Ms. Macri-Ortiz received her legal education through the UFW's Legal Apprenticeship Program, and was admitted to the California State Bar in June, 1987.

Congratulations to Barbara Macri-Ortiz, recipient of the 2023 VCCDC Carmen Ramirez Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Community Impact.

Keily Victoria