The mission of Ventura County Leadership Academy is connecting people and issues to strengthen our county.  And today, on Patriots Day, Cohort XXVI did just that.  With the task of taking a deeper dive into ten of the largest cities in Ventura County, each team had the opportunity to connect with many key individuals that make up each city.  Even with Covid restrictions and limited “in person access”, our virtual research and meetings were a fun way to get to know fellow cohorts and learn about a specific city.

From City Council Members, local Mayors and Assembly Members, to business owners, college presidents, artists and General Managers of Park & Rec, we were able to ask the tough and not so tough questions that make each city unique.  On the surface, we found significant city differences in housing prices, school district sizes and funding, crime statistics and populations.  Then we looked below the surface.  The one thing that each city had in common was the success of community and connection.  Each council member, business owner, county representative or board member we spoke with agreed that “their sense of community and connection” allowed for their cities success during some of the toughest times in the county.  Each city embraces their diverse culture and longstanding history that make them unique, all the while knowing we all form a bond that connects – We Are Ventura County!

In the weeks and months ahead, each immersion activity that we complete not only brings our cohort closer as leaders but allows us to embrace each and every part of our county.  We will be pushed out of our comfort zones to ask the deep questions.  Then, we will look deep inside ourselves to help find and answer.  But mostly, we will continue to connect, grow and expand our knowledge of this beautiful county . . . and create some lasting partnerships that will stand up to the hardest of times.  We are virtually the best – Cohort XXVI.

Melissa Miller, VCLA Cohort XXVI