CAMARILLO : Couple Donates $100,000 for Shelter

A Santa Barbara couple has donated $100,000 to Casa Pacifica, a shelter under construction for abused and neglected children.

The donation to the Camarillo shelter came from Ailene and Pierre Claeyssens of Santa Barbara. Ailene Claeyssens and her daughter, Cynthia Wood, own the 30,000-acre Taylor Ranch west of Ventura that was once targeted as a possible site for a state university.

The Claeyssens at one time owned a ranch in Simi Valley, but they moved to Santa Barbara in 1963. They continue to own 200 acres of farmland near Lewis Road in Camarillo, close to the Casa Pacifica shelter site.

Ground was broken March 21 for the first phase of the complex, a facility that will house 60 infants and children through age 17. It is designed to provide medical care, education and mental health assistance for the children.

Pierre Claeyssens, a retired architect, said he and his wife decided to make a donation to the shelter because they felt it was a good cause.

“It’s really needed,” Claeyssens said. “It’s a good organization, doing good deeds in Ventura County.” The administrative wing’s reception lobby will be named after the family.

The Claeyssens have been involved with other charities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

The shelter will cost $8 million to construct, and $4 million already has come from Ventura County government. More than $3 million has been raised in pledges and donations, according to Casa Pacifica officials.

The largest donation, $350,000, came from Helen and Morrie Caldwell of Fillmore. Helen Caldwell is president of the facility’s board of directors.