The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office was awarded a significant grant that will be used to establish a more accessible Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center in Oxnard.
The $640,000 grant will fund bilingual Spanish-speaking victim advocates, a legal processing assistant, administrative assistant, and necessary equipment at the new 545-555 South A Street location from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved acceptance of the grant today.
“The Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center will provide a safe haven and essential services for victims of crime, and this grant is a crucial step toward making it a success,” said Erik Nasarenko, Ventura County District Attorney.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley was instrumental in securing the funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime – Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program. These grants are designed to support worthy projects that serve local communities. This investment in the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center will significantly enhance the accessibility of victim services to residents in the greater Oxnard area.
Ventura County’s first Family Justice Center, located in Ventura, has been providing wrap-around services to approximately 2,500 victims of crime annually since its inception in 2019. Recognizing the pressing need for similar services in Oxnard, the Board of Supervisors purchased the building at 545-555 South A Street, paving the way for the establishment of a second Family Justice Center in Ventura County.
In honor of the late Carmen Ramirez, a beloved leader known for her unwavering commitment to the community’s well-being, the Board of Supervisors previously voted unanimously to name the new center the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center.
Expected to open in 2024, this second Family Justice Center represents a significant step forward in providing essential support and resources to victims of crime in Ventura County, embodying the County’s commitment to a safer and more compassionate community.