Santa Paula council allocates $50,000 to immediate relief for immigrant families, directs funds through county foundation

The Santa Paula City Council voted unanimously to allocate $50,000 in surplus funds Wednesday to provide immediate assistance to immigrant families affected by recent upticks in federal enforcement activity.

The money will be routed through the Ventura County Community Foundationto the foundation's Neighbors Support Fund and designated for local relief. Council's motion specified splits: $20,000 for LUCHA/Poder Popular (local distribution), $10,000 for the 805 UndocuFund, $10,000 to FoodShare for local pantry support, and $10,000 to Community Action of Ventura County for utility and weatherization assistance. Councilmembers also adopted an endorsement of the countywide fund and asked staff to return with options for future legal-aid support.

Why it matters: Public speakers and nonprofit partners told the council the need is urgent after recent federal enforcement actions and the federal benefits disruption earlier this season. Advocates said short-term cash assistance, food and utility help, and legal navigation can prevent homelessness and give families time to stabilize.

What officials said: Gloria Parra, presenting the ad hoc immigration committeereport, outlined the committee's original recommendation to split $50,000 between immediate humanitarian aid and legal services. Community speakers urged a fast, local response. "Every dollar that goes into the emergency assistance fund goes back out to a family," said Joseph Dobinski Jr., who described the 805 UndocuFund's rapid-response work in the city. Mike Soule, vice president of the Ventura County Community Foundation, told the council the coalition takes no administrative overhead and can pass funds to vetted local partners quickly.

Council debate and vote: Councilmembers discussed whether to earmark funds for strictly local organizations or to rely on the foundation as a pass-through. Several members said they preferred using local partners or an intermediary that can earmark funds to Santa Paula. After discussion the council approved a motion to give the full $50,000 to VCCF with the distribution noted above and an instruction that funds be designated for Santa Paula residents; the motion carried by voice vote.

Next steps: Council directed staff and the ad hoc committee to continue researching targeted legal-aid options (including local public defender services and renewal assistance if DACA or related programs reopen), and to return with more information on how additional surplus funds might be allocated in the future.

Quote: "Santa Paula cares," Mayor Chavez said after the vote, pronouncing the council's action a local expression of support for vulnerable neighbors.

Provenance: Coverage of the recommendation, public testimony, foundation presentation, deliberation, motion and vote appears in council discussion beginning with the ad hoc report and public comments and concluding with the vote on the motion.