One Habit Burger is Not Enough for Simi Valley; 2nd Location Opening This Weekend

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A second location of The Habit Burger is coming to Simi Valley this weekend at 2091 Madera Road next to Target. The other Habit is located on Tapo Canyon Road, just 5.5 miles away.

The official grand opening is next Wednesday, May 9th. But this Sunday, May 6th from noon to 2pm, the store will be open and all proceeds will benefit the Simi Valley YMCA!

This is the 8th Ventura County location for this fast-growing burger chain that originated in Santa Barbara in 1969. Other nearby locations are in Camarillo, Ventura (2), Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Oxnard.

I like The Habit for their very consistent quality and taste. And they have decent veggie burgers there too for those so inclined.

Visit www.habitburger.com for more information.

Grand Opening of Habitat for Humanity ReStore Outlet in Simi Valley on April 22

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Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County Opening Second ReStore in Simi Valley

On Sunday, April 22nd, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will be hosting the grand opening of its second Habitat ReStore, a Discount Home Improvement Center. This 19,000 sq. ft. retail outlet is located 1293-A E. Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley (corner of First Street; between RiteAid and 99¢ Only Store).  The ReStore will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with grand opening activities running throughout the day.

The Habitat ReStore in Simi Valley – an ideal location for East County residents and businesses – will be open to the public six days a week for donations, shopping, and volunteer opportunities. The new store will provide new and used merchandise that is 100 percent donated – from furniture, appliances, and hardware to home goods and building materials.  

“Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is thrilled to open a new Habitat ReStore in East Ventura County location,” said Stacy Swanson, Executive Director. “Our second ReStore in Simi Valley will enhance the sustainable funding stream already in place with our st

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The Community Roots Garden is a Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunity in Oxnard

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The Community Roots Garden is a non-profit community garden open to the public to come and volunteer, learn, and share food together. We are a ministry of, and are located, at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

Farming an acre with volunteers is no small feat. Many hands are needed, and we welcome yours! We invite you to come dig, weed, learn, teach, ask questions, take a shift on irrigation, bring food for potlucks, share your ideas, or donate materials or funding. You can help in whatever way you’d like. It is a rewarding project because it is tangible—you can watch it grow!—and for the simple satisfaction of working with others on something meaningful.  Working in the garden is also a fun way to complete needed community service hours.  No experience necessary. Children welcome. Se habla español.

Please bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sturdy shoes. Tools and water provided.  For more information on volunteering, call Katerina at 805-616-2326.  Visit our website at www.communityrootsgarden.org or find us on Facebook.

Play Days:  Saturdays from 9am-12pm (free meal prepared by Youth using garden harvest)  Sundays from 1-4pm (community potluck). Call for tours and info on upcoming workshops!

Miller Family YMCA to Host Indoor Cycle-A-Thon and Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive on Saturday, November 12th

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Miller YMCA To Host Indoor Cycle-A-Thon and Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive

The Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park will be holding its first indoor Cycle-A-Thon, Saturday, November 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Y (320 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park). The event will raise money for the Y's Healthy Living Program. During the cycle-a-thon, 150 Thanksgiving Day food baskets will be assembled for distribution to residents in the community.

Teams of riders will be cycling nonstop on stationary bikes during the cycle-a-thon. The cyclists will be entertained throughout the day with music and live entertainment. Everyone who participates will receive a continental breakfast and lunch and goody bag. Prizes will be awarded in categories including the team raising the most money, the rider who pedaled the longest and the team with the most spirit.

"We're asking teams to collect donations of at least $200 per team," says Katie Beck, the Miller Y executive director. "We're hoping to raise $5,000 that day--through the cycle-a-thon, a raffle, a silent auction and direct donations."

Volunteers are also needed to assemble the food baskets during the cycle-a-thon. "Many of our neighbors need a little extra help this holiday season. As part of the Y's ongoing Healthy Living Program, we want to make sure these families have everything they need for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner," says Beck.

Community members can donate nonperishable items to the food basket drive from November 1 through November 10 or donate $35, which provides a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four.

Only 15 cycling teams can participate in the cycle-a-thon. For more information including how to form a team, join an existing team or to volunteer, contact Katie Beck at kbeck@millerymca.org or call the Y at 805-480-0309.

Local Firefighter to Bike Across U.S. to Honor 9/11 Victims - Send Off on June 29th

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Local Firefighter Who Will Bike Across the US to Honor 9-11 Victims to Get Community Send-Off at Miller YMCA


Jorge Ostrovsky, a Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) firefighter and a Miller Family YMCA member, is joining other Los Angeles County firefighters as they bicycle across the United States to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9-11 and to honor those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety. This event, known as "Ride For 9-11," will start in Los Angeles July 24 and end in New York City Sept. 9. Money raised will go to the Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Miller Family YMCA will hold a send-off breakfast for Ostrovsky and nine other LACFD firefighters on Wednesday, June 29, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Y (320 Via Las Brisas, Dos Vientos portion of Newbury Park). The public is invited to this free event.

The Leary Firefighters Foundation (www.learyfirefighters.org) is dedicated to providing equipment and training to firefighters across the United States ensuring firefighters come home in the same condition they left for work. The Wounded Warrior Project, (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) provides various forms of support to wounded service members, aiding in their road to recovery. The program focuses on four main areas: Mind, body, economic empowerment and engagement.

For more information about the breakfast, call the Miller Y at 805-480-0309. For more information about Ride For 9-11, go to www.ridefor9-11.org.

Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes Program Reaches $10 Million Milestone

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Habitat for Humanity International’s Cars for Homes program reaches $10 million milestone nationwide

Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program has distributed more than $10 million to Habitat affiliates nationwide. 

The Cars for Homes program began in the state of Washington in November 2003 as a pilot program. In 2005, it was approved as a national program of Habitat for Humanity International. The Cars for Homes program was created specifically to assist Habitat affiliates by generating funding from the sale of donated vehicles. Revenue is distributed to affiliates based on the zip code of the donor. 

“Since this program began, our affiliate has received more than $45,000 through Cars for Homes,” said Stacy Swanson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.  “Those dollars go directly to help us build more homes for families in need right here in our community.  This is a creative way for people to be generous and address a critical need in Ventura County.”

Cars for Homes is Habitat for Humanity’s national vehicle donation program that provides donors a quick and easy process for donating cars, trucks, boats, RVs and other vehicles

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Ventura County Habitat for Humanity Launches New Home Rehab Program

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Habitat to offer low-cost home repairs to qualified, low-income homeowners

Ventura County Habitat for Humanity will now begin repairing homes in partnership with qualified, low-income homeowners.  The new housing repair program called “Preserve a Home”, is rolling out “A Brush with Kindness”, which is aimed at providing simple exterior (only) repairs such as painting, window, minor siding and trim repair, landscaping and/or clean-up, brush/junk removal to low-income homeowners in need.

Habitat for Humanity’s “A Brush with Kindness” has a goal to serve low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes.  The work is done by volunteers who use donated materials whenever possible.  The homeowner must meet have a demonstrated need, willingness to partner with Habitat and the ability to re-pay a no interest loan.  Payments made by the partner family are placed in a revolving fund to help ABWK serve others in need.   

“Preserve a Home and its “A Brush with Kindness” is part of our larger Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). This initiative gives us a great opportunity to help more families in need, as well as have an impact on the entire neighborhood” said John Kistler, Construction Manager, Ventura County Habitat for Humanity. “Helping people repair and maintain their homes fits in seamlessly with Habitat's core mission of making decent, affordable housing available to low-income families.”

A Brush with Kindness is underwritten by a grant from Valspar, Habitat’s National

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Habitat for Humanity and Los Robles Hospital to Dedicate New Home in Thousand Oaks

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Habitat for Humanity and Los Robles Hospital to Dedicate New Habitat for Humanity Home on Sunday, January 16 in Thousand Oaks


WHAT:  Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and Los Robles Hospital teamed up to build a Thousand Oaks Habitat for Humanity home sponsored by HCA/Los Robles Hospital.  The event is open to the public.

WHEN:  Sunday, January 16.  The event will begin at 2:00 PM with introductions and opening remarks, followed by a formal house dedication and blessing, a tour of the new home, photos, and refreshments.

WHO:  Participants will include Supervisor Parks, Los Robles Hospital CEO, Greg Angle, executives, and staff, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and representatives, Thousand Oaks City Council and housing officials, volunteers and friends of Habitat.  The Habitat partner-family will be available for interviews. 

WHERE:   200 Houston Drive, Thousand Oaks - From US-101. take exit 44 for Moorpark Road toward Thousand Oaks. Continue straight to N. Moorpark Road and turn right at E. Hillcrest Drive. The home is located on the corner of Houston Drive and E. Hillcrest Drive.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds homes in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter. Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, ability to repay a no-profit loan, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Loan repayments contribute to help build additional houses. Because Habitat’s loans are no-profit, they are affordable for low-income family partners.  Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, a locally-run affiliate, has built homes for 51 Ventura County families and rehabilitated over 500 homes since 1983.   www.habitatventura.org. 

HCA/Los Robles Hospital

HCA joined hands with Habitat for Humanity International in 2000.  HCA has provided funding and employee volunteers to build homes in Richmond, VA, Tallahassee, FL, and Thousand Oaks, CA (Los Robles Medical Center).   Los Robles Regional Medical Center is a 265-bed acute care facility dedicated to serving the residents of Ventura County, the Conejo Valley and its surrounding communities.  Further information may be obtained at www.losrobleshospital.com