Local Councils Make an Impact

Do you feel connected to where you live? Outside of family and work, what are your connections to your community? Many Venturans have been asking themselves these questions and answering them by taking action.

Grass-roots neighborhood organizations have experienced an unprecedented growth in Ventura during the past three years. There are currently four community councils representing the west side, midtown, east side and historic downtown areas of Ventura.

Why are community councils springing up in Ventura?

I believe Venturans are expressing themselves in what is a growing national trend: people’s desire to positively impact where they live and experience greater connection and community.

As a founding member of the Westside Community Council in 1994, I have often been asked to identify the components of a successful neighborhood organization. The initial desire to improve and connect must be combined with a number of variables.

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We began by expressing a clear mission: to improve the quality of life on the west side for those who live, work or visit the area.

United in common goals, we struggled to embrace our individual and cultural diversity. Members took on activities to match their skills or interest in support of the larger mission. Projects now include community cleanups, neighborhood safety patrols, cultural events, community organizing and civic participation.

We emphasize a constructive, positive attitude and seek partners to create solutions. It is tempting, when frustrated, to point fingers and play the blame game. But we found willing partners in area business, residents and government.

People like to be part of something that makes a positive difference. We initially focused on fixing long-neglected infrastructure problems--like curbs and sidewalks, street lighting and increasing public safety. Fix-it projects will always exist, and they provide needed victories that are necessary improvements. But to sustain and inspire long-term effort, a vision for the future of the neighborhood must exist.

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In late 1996, with city support, we conducted a series of community vision workshops. The resulting vision now guides our work as we plan for the west side’s future. That vision guided us in our efforts this year to restore the Casa de Anza building and work to make it the home of the new Avenue library.

The east side and midtown community councils are ready to embark on their own vision processes in the new year.

What have community councils accomplished?

Community councils are great fonts of energy, ideas, skills, information and a source of citizen visionaries, planners and activists. Each council can point to a list of tangible achievements of which they should be proud.

Equally important, however, are the intangibles--a growing sense of resident and neighborhood empowerment.

Ventura’s four community councils will be a great resource for broadening discussions in planning and community development for the comprehensive plan update. We have an opportunity to involve informed and enthusiastic citizens, with a stake in the community, in a process that will shape the future of Ventura.

My efforts in my local community council feel very rewarding. I encourage others who want to make a difference in their neighborhoods to contact their area’s community council or consider organizing your own street or block of neighbors. You and our city will appreciate the return on your investment.