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At Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), 2024 closed with an extraordinary series of events that celebrated community, culture, and togetherness. These moments exemplify the power of collective action and the beauty of giving back. Special thank-yous go out to Bianca Farmer, Director of Resident & Community Services and Resident and Community Services (RCS) Coordinator, Cindy Peña, whose dedication helped bring each of these events to life. Let’s take a look back at these memorable moments:

Pumpkin Painting at Santa Paulan
With autumn in full swing, residents at Santa Paulan embraced their creative sides with a lively pumpkin painting event. Evelyn, our assistant property manager, played a pivotal role in organizing the activity for SPA residents. Thanks to generous donations from WinCo, Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Underwood Farms, we provided 50 pumpkins for this festive activity. The event was a delightful success, bringing color and smiles to the community.

Día de los Muertos at Meta Street Apartments

The rich traditions of Día de los Muertos came to life at Meta Street Apartments, where an altar adorned with an arch crafted by our property manager, Antonio, and maintenance staff became the centerpiece of the event. Antonio also secured donations of marigold flowers and sugar candy skulls, which inspired the youth to paint sugar skulls and honor their loved ones by sharing heartfelt messages. It was a moving and creative celebration of remembrance and culture.

Little Library Kick-Off at Snapdragon 1 & 2
The Snapdragon community celebrated the opening of its very own Little Library, a symbol of learning and connection. Sandra, the property manager, worked closely with us to make this dream a reality. A local Ventura County artist added a beautiful touch with a custom-painted design, and the library was stocked with donated books from Bank of Books of Santa Paula. Young residents even joined in to help fill the shelves, making this a true community effort.

Tamale/Salsa Contest at Villa Cesar Chavez
For the first time, we hosted a Tamale/Salsa Contest at Villa Cesar Chavez, and it was as flavorful as it was fun! With the wonderful help of property manager, Cristina, there was one winner crowned in each category. This friendly competition brought neighbors together to share their culinary talents and celebrate the rich flavors of the season.

Tree Lighting & Decorating at Paseo Santa Clara/Del Rio

The holiday spirit shone brightly at Paseo Santa Clara and Del Rio, thanks to Edwin and Ivan, our property manager’s, and the maintenance staff who worked tirelessly to make this tree-lighting event magical. Residents came together to decorate and celebrate, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

Holiday Potluck at Paseo Santa Clara/Del Rio
Over 50 residents joined us for a holiday potluck that was all about community and connection. In addition to shared meals and laughter, organizations like Interface and the Ventura County Agency on Aging provided valuable resources to residents. Spark of Love donated over 130 toys for the youth, spreading holiday cheer. Meanwhile, a dedicated CSUCI student volunteer added a spark of curiosity with engaging lab experiments in the kids’ corner. This event was truly a collaborative celebration of giving and togetherness.

Holiday Party at Santa Paulan
During our CEDC staff holiday party, our team created festive gift baskets, which were raffled off to brighten the holidays for our elderly residents at the Santa Paulan. One memorable moment was seeing a recipient, dressed in a vibrant red outfit, beam with joy as she received her basket. It was a heartwarming way to end the year.

Looking Ahead
These events were more than just gatherings—they were a testament to the strong bonds we continue to build with our residents, property managers, and community partners. We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed, from local businesses to our dedicated team, property managers, and residents. Together, we’re creating moments of joy, cultural celebration, and empowerment that make our communities thrive.
As we step into 2025, we look forward to even more opportunities to celebrate, collaborate, and grow with all of you. Thank you for being part of the Cabrillo EDC family!