Innovative City Center Project has moved one step closer in Ventura County
The Californer/10148040

VENTURA, Calif. - Californer -- The City Center, led by Executive Director Jim Duran and his team of case managers, therapists and mentors, have worked tirelessly to equip homeless families with children to rebuild their lives and become independent. They recently started a fundraising campaign to buy The City Center building at 837 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura, raising over $900,000 of the full purchase price of $3.95m.

With a 100% success rate - no graduates have ever returned to homelessness, The City Center has become a best practice model in its field and Jim Duran intends to replicate this successful model to other cities in the future. "6,394 Ventura County students were identified as homeless in Ventura County in 2019/2020 according to Ventura County Office of Education – this is unacceptable, every family and child deserves shelter and the opportunity to rebuild their lives," said Jim Duran, Executive Director of The City Center. "Our program is unique, we are the only homeless program providing comprehensive mentoring and training to our residents to allow them to be successful and independent within 2 years."

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The City Center is more than a 30-room transitional living motel. Residents have a safe place to stay for one to two years, they receive in-depth goal outlines and an individualized plan to support them with counseling, mentoring, financial coaching and employment assistance. They learn life skills necessary for self-sufficiency, acquire transportation and obtain employment. Families graduate The City Center debt free, with a savings account and no longer needing government assistance. Additionally, 30% of residents leave with college degrees, trade school degrees and/or certificates of completion in their field. Over the past seven years. 78 families have graduated from their program, representing 253 people that are no longer homeless.

While the funding required to complete the purchase at $3.95m is steep, Duran is confident that the local and business community will support the initiative. "There has been much talk in the community and local government about the homeless problem in Ventura, and we have worked hard to achieve viable solutions for those most vulnerable - families with children," said Duran. "With our 100% success rate with no graduates returning to homelessness, our support has grown over the years, evidenced by the hefty donations already made and used towards the down payment on the mortgage. We are hopeful that Ventura County businesses and community will support this campaign".

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To learn more about The City Center and information on ways to support them, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/thecitycenter