Board Gives $1 Million to Local Senior Services

The Ventura Board of Supervisors has awarded $1,066,717 in state and federal grants to more than a dozen local organizations that provide nutrition and a host of social services to the elderly.

The grants, which were distributed through the County’s Area Agency on Aging, included an award of more than $750,000 to the senior nutrition program at the Ventura County Public Social Services Agency.

“We’ve received the grant every year since 1974,” said Violet Henry, the program’s administrator. “The money supports a very important program.”

The senior nutrition program provides meals for about 3,000 people over age 60, either at social centers or, if necessary, in their homes. A typical meal might include roast chicken, potato, vegetables, bread and dessert. The center also provides medical screenings, social events and trips around Southern California.

Henry, who has been involved in the program for 11 years, said it helps senior citizens keep independent and active. “It prevents them from being isolated in their homes,” she said. “And for those who must be homebound, this way they can see people every day.”

The funding stems from the federal Older Americans Act.

The other awards, which ranged from $10,000 to $30,000, went to Conejo Valley Senior Concerns for Alzheimer’s support; Coast Caregivers for Alzheimer’s victims; senior centers in Santa Paula, Moorpark, Fillmore and Oxnard; OASIS of Catholic Charities; Conejo Hospice; Long Term Care Services of Ventura County; Ventura County Department of Public Health; Ventura County district attorney’s office; Grey Law; and the city of Oxnard.