Project Understanding Provides a "Reset Button"
For People Whose Lives Have Come into Crisis
 
At our regular meeting on Monday, March 20, Ben Unseth, Executive Director of Project Understanding, provided members and guests of Ventura Rotary South with an in-depth look at the wide variety of services his agency offers to people in need. "We provide a 'reset button' for some of life's greatest challenges," said Ben, "including homelessness, hunger, and lack of education."
 
Founded 40 years ago, Project Understanding's Mission Statement pretty  much says it all: "Project Understanding provides hope by developing and directing resources for the purpose of transforming lives and community through justice, mercy and compassion."
 
Ben noted that homelessness in Ventura is improving, citing the official numbers of 701 in 2012 and 300 in 2016. "Although it has been cut by more than half," said Ben, "301 is still an unacceptable number." Project Understanding offers several programs to aid in finding permanent housing for those in need, including the Tender Life Maternity Home that provides homeless pregnant women with safe housing and support services that promote self-sufficiency.
 
For assistance in fighting hunger, The Food Pantry at Project Understanding provides groceries once a month to families whose budget cannot support the purchase of their own. Donations may include in-kind, non-perishables, fresh vegetables and fruits and $$’s designated for food. Most food on the shelves is purchased from FOOD Share.
 
Rounding out the agency's scope of services is its tutoring program, in which more than 300 children in grades K through 5 receive 11,000 hours of one-on-one assistance with schoolwork in 11 tutoring centers across the County.
 
In celebration of its 40th anniversary of service to the community, and as a means of raising additional needed funds, Project Understanding is hosting its "Hope Worth Giving Breakfast" from 7:30-9:00 on Thursday, March 30, at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura. For more information about this event, or about Project Understanding in general, visit projectunderstanding.org.