2nd HELPings HAS MOVED!

Please visit our new location at 841 E. Ojai Ave
(across from Westrige Market)

Considered by many to be the crowning jewel in HELP of Ojai's tiara of achievements, the 2nd HELPings Thrift Store opened in 1982 as a subsidiary and hasn't stopped generating revenues since. All of its proceeds go directly toward financing the numerous services offered by HELP of Ojai.

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) provides basic needs and case management services for the homeless in the Ojai Valley.  CAP provides daily lunches, laundry, food, employment and referral services to homeless indivdiuals and families.

In the first six months of this year, CAP has assisted more than 100 homeless individuals, distributed more than 700 lunches, assisted with 125 utility payments and given out out more than 165 boxes of food.

The goal of the Community Assistance Program is to meet the immediate needs of our clients while helping them acheive long term stability. 

C.A.P. SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Thrift Store Vouchers
• Bus and Trolley Tokens
• Information and Referrals
• Occasional Small Loans
• Translating
• Services for homeless people:  Showers, laundry program, phone and message service, mail, daily lunches, and medical referrals.
• Healthy Families application assistance for low cost health, vision, and dental insurance for qualified applicants
• H.E.A.P. (Home energy assistance program) - available year round, this program assists with gas or electric bills to qualified, low-income applicants.
• Administration of Funds provided by the City of Ojai for eviction prevention and move-in costs to prevent homelessness. Administration of the City of Ojai Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.
• Coordination of families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas with agencies and individuals providing these services.
• Networking with other Ventura County agencies as needed.

“When my husband was laid off from his job we thought he would find something else soon and we would be alright.  One month became two months and there wasn’t any work out there.  Rent was right around the corner. What was I going to do?  I don’t want my kids to be homeless.  HELP’s CAP (Community Assistance Program) saved my life by paying our rent.  Without that help we would be on the streets.”
- program participant

HELP's Community Assistance Program is located at 108 Fox Street, Ojai, CA  93023 Phone:  (805) 640-3320, Fax: (805) 640-3322 or e-mail Jessica Murray, Program Director at jessicam@helpofojai.org

Trained volunteer counselors offer objective information and provide assistance with problems relating to Medicare, health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, supplemental (Medigap) insurance policies and longterm care insurance. There are NO charges or fees!

• Understand Medicare
• Compare Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) plans.
• Review Health maintenance organization (HMO) and other managed care options.
• Prepare Medicare, supplemental insurance, and HMO appeals and challenge claim denials.
• Explore long-term care insurance choices.
• Clarify your rights as a health care consumer.

HICAP in Ojai is at HELP of Ojai's Support Center, 370 Baldwin Road.  Call Nita Whaley (805) 649-9218 for more information.

Established in 1979 at 111 W. Santa Ana Street in Ojai (next to City Hall), Little House acts as the central nervous system for HELP of Ojai and its auxiliary programs, serving as home-base for the ever-growing multitude of services and social, recreational and educational activities that enrich or enable the lives of so many in the valley.

Oak Tree House provides a safe and caring environment in which cognitively and/or physically impaired individuals including those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and/or dementia can socialize, participate in activities and have fun. Trained staff and volunteers coordinate an array of activities. Discussion groups, life review, and peer counseling are also available, as is the opportunity for just plain restful relaxing and deck lounging. Applicants must be able to care for themselves with minimal assistance. Contributions, upon which the program solely depends, are based on individual need.

Oak Tree House Adult Day Care is located in downtown Ojai - an enjoyable respite for seniors and caregivers, with sliding scale fees available. Call us today at 646-0161 or drop by for a visit.  You can also e-mail Emily Morino, Program Director at emilym@helpofojai.org

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
ABOUT OAK TREE HOUSE:

“Many thanks for my days at OTH each month. You give my days hope and purpose.”
– Ruth Blum, participant

Today HELP of Ojai has more than 500 registered people who volunteer at 52 "Work Sites," delivering more than 8,000 hours of service each month to people of all ages in the Ojai Valley.

For more information call 805.649.9292 or e-mail Kathleen Tarrats, rsvpojai@helpofojai.org

Learn more about RSVP

• Vehicle and Foot Patrol
• Residential & Commercial Security Checks
• Vacation House Checks
• Neighborhood Watch & Block Parent Programs
• Traffic Control & Security for Local Events
• Bicycle Safety and the Annual Bicycle Rodeo
• McGruff Dangerous Stranger presentations

A partnership with the Oak View Resource Center assists Sheriff's Deputies in that community by providing law enforcement services which highlight safety and preventive measures.

Donations to HELP of Ojai are encouraged to support these ongoing crime prevention activities. To volunteer to join the patrol please call (805) 646-1414.

The Senior Nutrition Progam has moved.

We are now serving meals at our West Campus location, 370 Baldwin Road.

Please join us Monday-Friday at noon for wonderful food and fellowship!

We hope to see you there!

CONGREGATE MEALS

The Student Bereavement Program is designed to foster an outlet and an environment that provides these children the resources they need. Without the Student Bereavement Program, many of the students may not be able to receive counseling. This program is free for students accessing the services.

The Student Bereavement Program provides counseling services to students, ranging from kindergarten through high school, who need support after suffering a loss in their life, which may include divorce, a recent relocation, the death of a loved one or another traumatic event.

HELP of Ojai partners with the Ojai Unified School District to provide therapist interns for each O.U.S.D. school. When there is an individual or community tragedy, the teachers, school psychologists and therapists communicate and actively engage to respond in a way that provides direct support for the students affected.

There is no other similar program in Ventura County, and, this is one of very few in the entire state that has therapists on site at the schools. Therapists work with a team of individuals such as teachers, parents and/or caregivers, principals and the school psychologists to create a plan of success for the student. The team ensures that the students receive support to help them be successful, in and outside of school.

HELP of Ojai will partner with the O.U.S.D. to provide this service for the 2009 Summer and the 2009-2010 school year. As a result of the recent violent events in the valley, the program will be expanded to include student support group counseling sessions. Working with O.U.S.D., HELP of Ojai will financially support this expansion.

"The Student Bereavement Program, funded by Help of Ojai, is an essential component to the already existing services provided by the Ojai Unified School District. Therapists work directly in the schools to provide a proactive approach in meeting the needs of the students and their families." - Jeanine Murphy, LMFT, Clinical Supervisor

For more information on the Student Bereavement Program, call 805-646-5122

The drivers who provide services for HELP‘s transportation program have as many stories as they have relationships with their riders. One of the drivers smiles as he remembers 102 year old ―Mary, who was always delighted about the ride to her hair appointment. Even with her walker, double hearing aids and near blindness she rarely missed her chance to chat with the driver and other riders.

HELP‘s transportation makes it possible for seniors and the disabled to continue to do their errands and socialize. HELP‘s drivers say the primary reason they drive is the relationships they build with riders and the chance to do something meaningful. Many realize they are offering a service they may need as they get older.

In the summer when temperatures are peaking, drivers are recruited to help the homebound to the Little House cool-ing site (see HELP in the Heat pg.2). There is always a need for people willing and able to drive vans for the wheelchair bound. Training is provided and the emotional reward is priceless.

In 2006-07, HELP‘s Transportation Program drove 975 elderly or disabled Valley residents to 11,745 appointments. 25 volunteer drivers logged 4,515 hours on the road and drove 50,958 miles.

For more information or to sign up for ride, please contact Glenda King, Transportation Coordinator at          805-646-0144 or e-mail glendak@helpofojai.org

The Valley Outreach provides basic need services to low-income individuals including children, families, the disabled and homeless.  

These services include:  

This former correctional facility and extensive open space is leased from the County of Ventura. HELP’s West Campus facilities will provide for expansion of HELP's programs and multiple agency opportunities through a
Multi-Tenant Non-Profit Center

• Ojai has an abundance of non-profit, educational, and religious organizations

• These organizations are often stretched for funding, resources, volunteers and exposure

• Organizations would benefit from an interchange of ideas, collaboration, synergy, shared resources, efficient and effective inter-communication, training, some common facilities, and more.

GOALS:

• To provide a network whereby organizations can easily share ideas, challenges and resources.

• To provide a basis for collaboration on shared areas of interest

• To provide a common meeting place for work, brainstorming and training on relevant topics of interest and concern

• To develop and maintain an interactive community-wide event calendar

• To develop a easy and efficient communication system

• To develop a shared location for common work, Board and other meetings and events.

• To develop common ground for bringing all the communities and areas of the Greater Ojai Valley closer together in spirit, collaboration and developing common goals.

• To have fun among people with like minds and purpose.

For more information on West Campus, please contact Kerry Ballantine at 805-649-9218 or e-mail kerryb@helpofojai.org