Jake Rodriguez | Hoodline
The core of Oxnard is poised to see increased benefits for crime victims, as announced in the press release by the Ventura County District Attorney.
The grant of $640,000 awarded to the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center, named after the esteemed community advocate, will greatly enhance the center’s efforts in providing crucial aid to those affected by crime in the area.
The grant, allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime – Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program, comes as a result of tireless efforts from Congresswoman Julia Brownley to support projects that serve local communities.
Covering a range of needs, the funding will be utilized to employ bilingual Spanish-speaking victim advocates, a legal processing assistant, and an administrative assistant, as well as facilitate the provision of necessary equipment for the center’s new location at 545-555 South A Street, scheduled to open in 2024.
As one of two Family Justice Centers in Ventura County, the Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center seeks to address the pressing need for accessible resources and support services for victims of crime in Oxnard.
The center’s counterpart, Ventura County’s first Family Justice Center located in Ventura, has been rendering wrap-around services to approximately 2,500 victims of crime annually since its inception in 2019, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Recognizing the growing need for such an institution in Oxnard, the Board of Supervisors purchased the building at 545-555 South A Street, paving the way for the establishment for a parallel resource in the southern part of the county.
The Carmen Ramirez Family Justice Center, expected to open its doors in 2024, embodies the community’s commitment to offering a safe haven and essential services to those most in need. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasises the importance of this grant in actualizing the center’s potential, stating that “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.”
This story was originally published by Hoodline on September 27, 2023.
Issues: 118th Congress, Local Issues