Oxnard Armory Eases Burden on Homeless Shelters

Workers at the Zoe Christian Center and the Rescue Mission say their lives have become less stressful since the National Guard Armory in Oxnard got permission to stay open nightly through March 31.

“It makes it a little easier because you can refer them someplace,” said Assistant Chaplain Joe Thomas, whose Oxnard Rescue Mission turns away 25 to 30 men each night during bad weather. “It’s a blessing.”

Only Ventura County received dispensation from the state to keep its armory open every night, said Brian Bolton, executive director of the Ventura County chapter of the Red Cross.

A group of community activists had raised $40,000 in January to operate it through March 31, but the state did not agree to the plan until after the Feb. 12 flood.

Elsewhere in the state, armories open only when it is cold or wet enough through March 31.

The shelter had been averaging about 90 people per night until last month’s floods.

On Feb. 25, after 156 homeless people showed up seeking shelter, Red Cross officials set a limit of 120 beds at the armory, said Red Cross shelter coordinator Mike Goth.

“The armory’s helped us a lot,” said Donnice Cohen, assistant director of the Zoe Christian Center in Oxnard.

The center primarily houses women and children; male relatives are sent to the armory.

Zoe, which offers food, clothing and medical treatment, accommodates a maximum of 165 women and children. On Thursday night, about 110 people asked for shelter, Cohen said.

At the Rescue Mission, a 24-hour homeless shelter, a total of 84 men can stay overnight, Thomas said. Men who are turned away are referred to the Oxnard armory, given a blanket or sleeping bag or occasionally are allowed to stay in a chapel that accommodates about 10 people.

State Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) and officials from the Red Cross and the National Guard will honor three volunteers who organized the fund-raising drive.

More than 100 people are expected to attend the dinner at 8 p.m. today at the Oxnard armory, including Ventura County Supervisor John K. Flynn, Oxnard Councilman Manuel Lopez and Ventura City Councilman Gary Tuttle.