Hill & Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort

One year ago, as Ventura County continued its recovery from the Thomas Fire and residents began to enjoy the mild early winter, no one could have known that another destructive wildfire event was poised to sweep the region.

When the Hill and Woolsey fires began, they moved with astonishing speed across hillsides, towns, and jumped multi-lane freeways.  When these fires were finally extinguished, Ventura County residents faced the multifaceted challenges of immediate disaster relief as well as the mid/long-term recovery needs of Thomas Fire victims.

The generosity of individuals and groups from all parts of the world was astounding.  Thousands of people gave financial support, held fundraising events, and worked tirelessly to ensure that resources and services reached everyone in need.

The staff and community partners of the Ventura County Community Foundation are grateful for this support, and the support that continues to be given for wildfire recovery.  The most immediate relief needs have been met while the long-term recovery of our most vulnerable community members continues in the areas of housing, employment, mental and physical health, and transportation.  As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Hill and Woolsey fires, we will continue to work toward the goal of complete recovery and resilience for all of our friends and neighbors in Ventura County.  With profound gratitude, we thank you for your support and your concern for the victims of the Hill and Woolsey fires.

Only eight months have passed since the Hill and Woolsey fires burned across Ventura County and neighboring communities, and recovery work is ongoing for local residents and organizations. Due to the remarkable response of individual and organizational donors, the Sudden and Urgent Needs Fund was able to quickly receive and disburse more than $4 million in support of recovery for those affected by these natural disasters.

Eight months after the fires, in many ways we remain within the short-term recovery phase.  Many residents who lost their homes have been able to settle into stable, albeit temporary housing while the longer work continues, or has only just begun, of repairing and rebuilding homes. Local emergency and human services organizations experienced a surge in demand; the Sudden & Urgent Needs Effort was instrumental in enabling recipient organizations to meet immediate needs while continuing to provide their usual services in a sustainable way.

The Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort remains active in accepting contributions and disbursing funds. These funds are available for material and operational support, infrastructure, and staffing support to organizations in service to the overall health, wellbeing, and recovery of wildfire victims.  With profound gratitude, we recognize everyone who has contributed to the Hill & Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort, playing a vital role in helping our neighbors recover from their losses and injuries.

To hear more about Ventura County Community Foundation’s role in regional disaster relief, check out this July 2019 interview with VCCF Executive Director Vanessa Bechtel and Rob McCoy, mayor of Thousand Oaks: Watch Here

Links:

• Interview with Vanessa Bechtel and Rob McCoy