About Us

* Ventura Homeless Prevention is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prevents homelessness in the City of Ventura by keeping people in their homes. Every penny donated goes directly to pay rent for households who have been stably housed but are suddenly unable to meet the current month’s rent because of a one-time event like a car repair, medical bill, or loss of pay due to illness or temporary lay off.

* Small financial setbacks have left our clients facing eviction, usually because they are paying too much of their income in rent — 48 % of their income, on average. Before we help, case managers verify that the temporary situation has been resolved and that clients will be able to pay their own rent going forward; they work with clients on budgeting and other strategies that will support ongoing housing stability. Over 90% of those we help are still in their homes one year later.

* The need for assistance has grown tremendously in the last two years, and we are now keeping more than two households per week in their homes. Since we began our work in 2007, we have prevented homelessness for over 3,000 people, more than 1,000 of them children. The average cost in 2026 has been $1,231 per household or $482 per person. We are an all-volunteer organization operating in donated space, and the Board pays our few administrative costs, so every penny donated or granted goes directly to pay rent and keep people housed..

* Ventura Homeless Prevention is supported by regular donations from 10 houses of worship and over 100 individuals annually, as well as occasional grants from businesses and foundations.

Ventura Homeless Prevention Board of Directors List

* Judy Alexandre PhD, LCSW is Co-Chair of the Ventura Social Services Task Force. She is a retired Professor of Social Work from Westmont College, where she taught classes in social work skills and policy. She had a private clinical practice for 35 years, and supervised interns for many years as well. Judy volunteers at One Stop and with Homes for All. Each of these organizations plays an important role in helping to end homelessness in Ventura.

* Albert Barosso, Development Officer is a realtor with Resource Real Estate with an extensive background in marketing and connections throughout the real estate community. He has volunteered extensively in the community, including at the County Museum, New Art City Theater. His motto is “With open hands, not only are you able to receive but more importantly, you’re able to give.”

* Sue Brinkmeyer, President and Board Chair, is a former grant writer, grant director and community college professor of English. She has served on the Oxnard Homeless Commission, chaired the Ventura Social Services Task Force and Lift Up Your Voice, and served on the Board of the County’s Continuum of Care, all of which are organizations dedicated to ending homelessness in their respective areas.

* Greg Carson is a fifth-generation Ventura resident. He was a 33-year-old nursery owner and lobbyist for the farm industry when he was selected as mayor of the City of Ventura in December 1991, and served in that role until 1993. He later served as commissioner for the Ventura Port District Commission and President of the Ventura County Fair Board. He has joined he Board of Ventura Homeless Prevention as part of our Resource Development

Team.

* Freddie Contarino, Corresponding Secretary, is a retired nurse, who has volunteered extensively with the Arts in Ventura. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Rubicon Theatre, as Chair of the Ventura (music festival) fundraising efforts for 15 years, and with New Arts City Theatre. She is also a hospice volunteer. She serves on the VHP Board because she is firmly committed to proving that “Together, we can make a difference.”

* Adele Fergusson, MSW, Director of Housing Stability, is a retired social worker who worked before retirement with County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic in counseling and case management, and as a coordinator for the MSW distance education program based in Ventura for California State University, Long Beach.

* Joan Roberts, Treasurer-elect, has owned and operated her own small bookkeeping for the past 37 years. Her volunteer work has included serving as an advocate for children in foster care for the last 25 years. Some 23 years ago, she founded a children's art program that is free for all children in our community. For the past 6 years she has been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), supporting children in proceedings within the legal system. She has been the Treasurer of multiple non-profit organizations in the past, and will take over as Ventura Homeless Prevention Treasurer in late September.

* John Sanders Jones, Webmaster, is now President of the Ventura Social Services Task Force. He also serves as liaison with one of our partner organizations, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He has been a community activist working to end homelessness for over twenty years.

* David Schmutte, Treasurer, is a retired CPA. He has served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Turning Point Foundation, past president of the Channel Counties Chapter California Certified Public Accountants Society, and president of the Ventura Kiwanis club.

* Debora Schreiber, Recording Secretary, is a retired nurse and long-time activist in Ventura County. She, along with her partner, Neal Andrews, was among the group at the Ventura Social Services Task Force that created the Ventura Homeless Prevention Fund back in 2007, prior to our incorporation as a 501(c)(3) in 2014..

* Barbarella West, Social Media Director, has been a Ventura County resident for 38 years and raised her three children here. Her career has been dedicated to helping women in recovery heal not just their habits but their hearts and spirits. During COVID, she was a recipient of rental assistance from Ventura Homeless Prevention, and, through her work on the Board, she is helping to make it possible for the organization to serve an ever-growing

number of families and individuals in Ventura.

**** Ventura Homeless Prevention Advisors to the Board ****

* Laura Bartholomew served her community as an elementary school teacher for over 40 years, 11 of those years as a special education teacher. She retired 5 years ago and moved to Ventura, where she now volunteers as an Application Facilitator for Ventura Homeless Prevention. Laura helps to make sure Ventura residents who can provide evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria get the assistance they need to stay housed and keep themselves

and their children free from the traumas of eviction and homelessness.

* Thomas Hutchinson is a partner with the law firm of Norman Dowler LLP, who has also had a successful career in business, encompassing sales, marketing, finance, management and manufacturing. He is past-president of the Rotary Club of Ventura.

* Jay Sherman, Esq. is a retired attorney who practiced business litigation and executive management for 30 years. He says his superpower is being an expert listener and supportive with clients, while also being strong and forceful when required. Jay is incredibly effective at ensuring applicants meet the criteria to qualify for rental assistance when it is required for them to avoid eviction and return to long-term housing stability.

* Dr. Gary Zinik is a retired clinical forensic psychologist who has served as a consultant for attorneys and judges and performed psychological evaluations. In his clinical practice, Dr. Zinik was devoted to helping troubled people. Dr. Zinik has academic degrees in psychology from Stanford, Harvard, and the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Note: Ventura Homeless Prevention is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. This is part of what makes it possible for us to use every penny that is donated or granted for rental assistance.