Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity, but here in Santa Barbara County, it’s a chance to make a personal, local difference. At Noozhawk, we believe in the power of community and the impact that even small acts of kindness can have when directed close to home.
Our Good for Santa Barbara County Nonprofit Section is designed to connect you with local organizations doing vital work. Whether it’s a donation, a few hours of your time, or simply helping spread the word, your contribution matters.
Explore our Giving Guide today and help brighten the season for those who need it most!
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Victoria Brady, CEO at Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, to learn more about the nonprofit’s vision of developing and managing inclusive, service-enriched communities that provide safe, affordable housing and empower residents across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to grow and thrive.
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC). At CEDC, we believe that every person deserves access to safe, affordable housing, a foundation for stability, dignity, and opportunity.
For more than four decades, we have worked tirelessly to turn that belief into reality for individuals and families across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to develop and manage service-enriched, inclusive residential communities that ensure access to affordable, secure, quality housing, creating the foundation for our residents to grow and thrive.
Housing is more than a roof over someone’s head; it is the cornerstone of health, education, and economic security. When families have a safe place to call home, they can focus on building brighter futures.
Today, CEDC manages 27 properties with 1,314 rental homes, serving over 4,000 residents. These communities provide housing for low-income families, farmworker households, seniors aged 55 and older, and individuals living with disabilities.
Nearly half of our portfolio is dedicated to farmworker families, those who work tirelessly to put food on our tables yet often struggle to afford housing themselves.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: CEDC was founded by Rodney Fernandez in 1981 and has been serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties for 45 years.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: The organization was founded out of an immediate need for farmworker housing. In 1975, 80 farmworker families at Cabrillo Village Labor Camp (Saticoy, CA) faced eviction from grower-owned land.
To save their homes and community, they pooled resources, formed the Cabrillo Improvement Association (CIA), and purchased the land on May 5, 1976.
Over the next five years, the CIA rehabilitated homes, built new housing, launched cooperative businesses, and offered social services and job training.
In 1981, they, along with Rodney Fernandez created Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation as a nonprofit corporation focused on developing new housing for farm workers and low-income families in Ventura County.
Over the ensuing decades, Cabrillo became recognized as a leading provider of affordable housing in the Ventura County region, as well as national recognition as a model in supporting the self-sufficiency of farm workers.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: Our work is made possible through partnerships and funding from programs such as the California Department of Housing and Community Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit/Tax Credit Allocation Committee, and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
But these resources only go so far. To continue meeting the growing need for affordable housing and service enriched communities, we also rely on the generosity of people like you.
Biggest Need: Providing meaningful supportive services to residents in need is never simple, but it’s essential.
Through dedicated case management and coordinated resources, we create communities where residents feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. None of this would be possible without the generosity and partnership of our donors, whose commitment fuels this vital work.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: If you are interested in becoming part of our volunteer team, sign-up to help with community-building activities and resident programs such as:
– Homework Club Tutors
– Activities such as music, arts & crafts, reading clubs, etc.
– Summer youth and senior programs
– Skill-based volunteers
– Special events
– Welcome Home Basket building and distribution
Email us at advancement@cabrilloedc.org
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: What sets CEDC apart is our holistic, community-centered approach to affordable housing. We don’t just build and manage properties; we invest deeply in the long-term well-being of the families who call our communities home.
Our in-house resident services team provides tailored support, from case management and food security programs to youth enrichment and financial education, ensuring residents have the tools they need to thrive.
We also bring more than four decades of experience serving Ventura County, with a culturally informed, multilingual staff that reflects the communities we serve. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and resident voice guides every project we undertake.
Ultimately, CEDC stands out because we see housing as the foundation for opportunity, and we stay with our residents every step of the way, long after the ribbon-cutting.
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: A veteran recently moved into our Dolores Huerta Gardens apartments in Oxnard and shared a deeply moving story. He had been the primary caregiver for his terminally ill daughter, who tragically passed away at just 31 years old.
After her passing, his caregiver benefits expired, leaving him overwhelmed and facing the very real possibility of losing his home because he could no longer afford rent.
Thanks to the partnership between CEDC and the VA, we were able to provide him with housing, bridging the gap and preventing another veteran from becoming unhoused. Today, he has a safe, stable place to live, allowing him the space and comfort he needs to grieve and begin healing.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: CEDC shares its impact through regular updates on social media, bi-monthly newsletters, an annual impact data report available on our website, and a comprehensive annual report published online and mailed to our constituents.
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: CEDC is committed to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. We maintain clear financial reporting, undergo regular annual audits, and share program outcomes so donors can see exactly how their contributions make a difference.
Our team works closely with community partners to ensure resources are used effectively and ethically, always prioritizing the needs of those we serve.
Other ways to support beyond donations:
Volunteer your time or expertise: Help with events, programs, or skill-based projects.
Advocate and spread the word: Share our mission on social media, within your network, and tell your elected officials how important affordable housing is to you and your community.
In-kind contributions: Supplies, equipment, or services can be just as valuable as monetary gifts.
Corporate partnerships: Businesses can sponsor programs or match employee donations.
Every form of support strengthens our ability to create lasting change.
Q: Can you highlight one immediate goal and one long-term vision your nonprofit aims to achieve in the next year?
A: Immediate Goal: Our immediate priority is to meet our Welcome Home Basket goal for Village Senior Apartments in Buellton.
We are very close to achieving this goal, which will ensure that new senior and senior-veteran residents feel supported and valued as they transition into their homes.
Visit https://www.cabrilloedc.org/welcome-home-baskets/ to give.
Long-Term Vision (Next Year): Over the next year, we aim to establish and implement a Summer Youth Program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.
This program will provide a well-rounded educational experience for youth residents who would not otherwise have access to summer camps or paid educational programs.
Our vision is to create opportunities that foster learning, growth, and community engagement for the next generation.
Click here to support Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation’s mission to develop and manage inclusive, service-enriched communities that provide safe, affordable housing and empower residents across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to grow and thrive.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.