HELP of Ojai is celebrating over four decades  dedicated to making a difference in the Ojai Valley.
HELP of Ojai was originally founded by a collaboration of churches and others in the Ojai Valley in 1968. The focus at the time was coordinating volunteer efforts to care for those community members “in need”. As the needs and demographics of our valley have changed over the years, HELP has endeavored to meet the challenges of our diverse population by introducing new ways to help and expanding existing programs.
Through the years HELP of Ojai has impacted the valley in many ways :
- 1974 - HELP filed incorporation papers and received its first federal grant from RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
- 1979 - HELP’s "Little House" location served its first hot meals for seniors and launched a number of new programs.
- 1982 - HELP launched 2nd Helpings Thrift Store which has proven to be a critical source of operating income for HELP’s programs.
- 1984 - HELP began to work on offering a senior day care center.
- 1997 - HELP began a partnership with the Ministerial Association to establish a clearinghouse for the homeless and nearly homeless community members.
- 2006 - HELP acquired the lease from the County of Ventura for the Baldwin Road West Campus. The plan for West Campus includes expansion of existing programs and development of new programs to continue to benefit the citizens of the Ojai Valley.
Today, more than10,000 individuals benefit annually from HELP programs and services. From rides for seniors to nutritional programs to adult daycare, youth educational opportunities and mentoring programs, to a highly esteemed Adopt-A-Family program that rallies the entire community during the holiday season, HELP has strategically and compassionately stood in the gap and managed to maintain a personal and caring touch along the way.
As we move onto new opportunities before us, we continue to be committed to the vision and evolving scope of a program that was founded on the hope of making a difference.
40 years later, making a difference
remains the central reason that
we do what we do to serve our community. |
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Board of Directors: DAVE NEVILLE |
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Dave Neville is a local business attorney in private practice since 1991. Dave moved to Ojai in 2002, and became acquainted with HELP. Recalling his grandparents had benefited by having meals on wheels and transportation programs available to them and to honor them Dave wanted to support HELP with its mission. As an attorney, Dave counsels boards of both for-profit and non-profit organizations on corporate governance and other related matters. Dave is committed to providing pro bono services to persons in need. He has served as an attorney/advisor for the Homeless Advocacy Project, Aids Legal Referral Panel and Bankruptcy Clinic in association with the Bar Association of San Francisco as well as working in a Domestic Violence Clinic earlier in his career. Dave holds a B.A. degree from the University of Southern California, a J.D. degree from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and a LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of San Diego. Dave resides in Ojai with his wife and two children. |
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Board of Directors: ALAN RAINS |
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Alan and his wife, Jan, have lived in Ojai since 1955. Alan and Jan raised four children on Ojai. As owner of Rains Department Store, Alan has been active in the merchandising field for many years. The store has had four major remodels and expansions since 1955. Alan's past service to the community includes Chairman of the Board of the Ojai Community Hospital. Several years ago, in his capacity as chair, he was responsible for purchasing the hospital for the benefit of our community. He was a past President of Ojai Rotary, a Director on the Land Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Board, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chairman of Mid-State Bank. Along with serving as Treasurer of the Board for HELP of Ojai, Alan currently serves as Treasurer for the City of Ojai, a Director for the Ojai Music Festival, past President and board member of "The Ojai" Tennis Tournament. In addition to serving as a past Board member for HELP of Ojai, Alan's wife Jan delivers Meals on Wheels every Thursday. Service to the community has been a part of Alan and his family's life. |
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Board of Directors: KELLY RANDALL |
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Kelly Randall moved to Ojai from the San Francisco Bay Area in late 2005 when he retired from his career in Mechanical Engineering/Project Management. He began volunteering at HELP of Ojai in 2006, starting out with the RSVP Security Patrol, then driving a wheelchair van and then working at West Campus. He joined the board in August 2007. "I'm especially impressed with the way HELP of Ojai delivers its provided services; using a small group of dedicated, salaried employees and hundreds of volunteers." |
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Board of Directors: PEGGY RUSSELL |
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Peggy Russell spends her free time taking care of abandoned animals and loves volunteering for various non-profit organizations in the Ojai Valley. HELP of Ojai has always held a special place in her heart from the time they moved to Ojai ten years ago, as she has “experienced the dedication and caring of the staff for the people they serve.” Peggy is a member of the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Guild, Treasurer of the OVCH Foundation Board, a past Living Treasure and Past-President and Home Tour Chairman of the Ojai Music Festival Women's Committee. |
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MARY OGLE - website designer
After attending the Rhode Island School of Design and Art Center College of Design, Mary Ogle emerged with a solid grounding in the traditional techniques of oil painting. Not satisfied with the inherent limitations of brush and canvas, she soon began to explore the fascinating nascent world of computer graphics. Working in the digital medium for over 10 years, Mary has created everything from limited edition prints to illustrations and logos to websites with a true artistic flair. Firmly believing that form and function are of equal importance in the online world, Mary's sites are beautiful to look at, easy to read and fun to explore. Mary currently finds inspiration in the Ojai Valley, residing in a snug little cottage with an adorable pug. To see more of Mary's work visit www.evisionarts.com.
MIKI KLOCKE - photographer
Photographer and Ojai native Miki Klocke returned to Ojai in 1999 to care for her Mom who had just received a diagnosis of early on-set Alzheimer's Disease. Miki and her Mom Jan have received tremendous assistance from HELP of Ojai and Miki is happy to give back by offering her images for use on this website.
To see more of Miki's images visit www.AllDogImages.com
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