2025 Projects and Support
Read below about our 2025 microgrant giving
Helping a young adult in crisis isn’t just kindness—it’s an investment in the strength of our community.
CTO Mission - Support Through Microgrants
The transition into adulthood for aged out foster care youth can be especially challenging for these young people, who often face high levels of trauma and instability. Without a strong support network, they are at greater risk for depression, substance abuse, homelessness, early involvement with the justice system, and unemployment. Many have had limited opportunities to build confidence, trust in others, or develop essential life skills.
At CTO, we work to identify individuals and organizations in need and provide assistance in the most effective and appropriate way possible. Our focus has been on supporting youth in life transition or crisis.
In addition to financial assistance, we believe that positive, safe, and supportive relationships are key to helping these young adults thrive. Advocacy is not only about speaking up for them—it’s also about empowering them to speak up for themselves. And above all, providing steady emotional support can help them achieve brighter, more stable futures. This is why we partner with 8 local nonprofits to ensure these individuals are getting the help they need. See our great nonprofit partners at left.
We hope you are inspired by the resilience and determination of the young adults we serve.
At CTO, we work to identify individuals and organizations in need and provide assistance in the most effective and appropriate way possible. Our focus has been on supporting youth in life transition or crisis.
In addition to financial assistance, we believe that positive, safe, and supportive relationships are key to helping these young adults thrive. Advocacy is not only about speaking up for them—it’s also about empowering them to speak up for themselves. And above all, providing steady emotional support can help them achieve brighter, more stable futures. This is why we partner with 8 local nonprofits to ensure these individuals are getting the help they need. See our great nonprofit partners at left.
We hope you are inspired by the resilience and determination of the young adults we serve.
Many Mansions Internship Program - CTO FUNDS new project
Faith, Many Mansions Intern
Conejo Teen Organization is proud to support Many Mansions by funding their innovative and exciting new internship program. During Covid, many teens lost the strong mentor relationships that once helped guide them through high school and toward college. Many Mansions is working to rebuild that connection through a paid internship program, where older teens gain hands-on experience across several Many Mansions departments. Along the way, the interns are building resumes, developing job skills, and regaining the confidence that comes from having caring adults in their corner.
Many Mansions understands the power of tutoring and mentorship for young adults in high school. But the support can’t stop there. Beyond high school, many young adults face new challenges as they navigate college and career pathways. Recently, through the networks of the Many Mansions Board and Advisory Council, they were able to connect a few of the Vicky’s Scholarship recipients with urgent tutoring to help them pass critical courses—and even secured internship opportunities that moved them closer to their goals. These experiences showed just how powerful a strong tutoring and mentorship system could be.
With dedicated staff and resources, Many Mansions has expanded these efforts, combining work experience, academic support, and mentoring to help teens and young adults thrive—restoring relationships, unlocking potential, and shaping brighter futures.
This spring, Faith (above) embraced her role as Volunteer Coordinator Intern with Many Mansions. Interning over a 10-week period, Faith outreached to over 40 prospective volunteers, completed 14 volunteer interviews, managed a schedule of volunteers for 5 properties, and developed a presentation for volunteers who wanted to learn more about Many Mansions’ efforts.
MESA Farm, building long-term capacity to prevent youth homelessness
Mesa is a Ventura County-based nonprofit that provides transitional housing and trauma-informed programs for young adults, ages 18–24, who are facing homelessness. Mesa addresses the root causes of housing instability through a whole-person approach that includes wellness, education, vocational support, and relationship-building. By offering more than just a roof, Mesa offers a real opportunity for young adults to heal, grow, and create a sustainable path forward. With 10 single occupancy tiny-homes and two rooms in a main house, Mesa can house up to 13 young adults. It is located on a 10-acre property on the east end of the Ojai Valley. At Mesa, they don’t just house people—they believe in them. Every young person who walks through the doors carries a story of strength and survival. Mesa feels their job is to offer them a place to rest, reset, and rise. With the support of the community, they are not just focused on ending youth homelessness—they are cultivating possibility.
Cece
Cece is a current resident at Mesa Farm. Despite growing up in a studio apartment with 6 people and suffering from abuse and depression, she has worked hard to build a better future. At age 18, Cece began therapy, which helped her heal and inspired her to pursue a career in nursing, driven by her desire to support her family and help others. She has earned 3 associate's degrees, maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher with multiple Dean’s list honors, and completed over 50 volunteer hours in hospitals as a COPE Health Scholar. CTO is proud to support Cece by funding her tuition to become a CNA marking the first step toward achieving her nursing degree.
In Cece’s own words:
“Getting my Certified Nursing Assistant training will provide me with the opportunity to be a more competitive applicant for nursing school. In addition to the certificate, it will allow me to get nursing experience. Once I have the CNA license, I will be able to earn enough money throughout nursing school to pay for tuition and housing.”
In Cece’s own words:
“Getting my Certified Nursing Assistant training will provide me with the opportunity to be a more competitive applicant for nursing school. In addition to the certificate, it will allow me to get nursing experience. Once I have the CNA license, I will be able to earn enough money throughout nursing school to pay for tuition and housing.”
Meet Gia from CASA - Court Appointed special advocates
Gia in her car!
Gia is a dedicated non-minor dependent pursuing her college degree while working part-time to support herself. Gia relies on transportation to attend school and work, and proudly purchased her first car on her own. Over time, the repair costs for the car far exceeded its actual value. In collaboration with CASA and Raising Hope, and with Gia’s own contribution, Conejo Teen Organization donated money toward a used car in good condition so that Gia could continue her education and job responsibilities.
We are honored to partner with our local charities, and proud to help Gia secure reliable transportation and cheer her on as she works toward her degree.
Every young adult deserves someone who sees their potential, even if life feels impossible.
Meet Quinn, resident Physician, Indiana University
Quinn
In Quinn’s own words:
"As I started my first semester of medical school in the fall of 2021, I was thrilled to finally be learning the intricacies of medicine and to start doing what I’d always dreamed of - taking care of patients. I threw myself into my studies with full commitment, but soon found myself facing an unexpected challenge: I no longer had reliable transportation. Without a car, getting to classes, study sessions, and clinical rotations became a major source of stress during an already demanding time. In that difficult time, a grant from Conejo Teen Organization provided the critical support I needed to purchase a vehicle. This generous assistance allowed me to stay focused on my education without disruption and brought me one step closer to becoming the physician I had always aspired to be. Now, as a resident physician in internal medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, I reflect often on the impact of that support. It not only helped me stay on track academically, but also inspired me to pay that kindness forward in the way I care for my patients every day. Conejo Teen Organization’s commitment to empowering youth through practical support continues to create a lasting impact. I cannot express my gratitude to this organization enough. I remain deeply and eternally grateful for its role my journey."
Instability for youth in crises can be a constant companion. One particular disruption—the lack of reliable transportation—can be very challenging and disruptive to youth pursuing education and employment. CTO strives to assist when we hear of the absence of consistent, reliable transportation.
Since 2022, CTO has provided 15 transportation microgrants, including funds for car repairs, the purchase of used vehicles—often with the assistance of the youth, and funding for public transportation when needed.
"As I started my first semester of medical school in the fall of 2021, I was thrilled to finally be learning the intricacies of medicine and to start doing what I’d always dreamed of - taking care of patients. I threw myself into my studies with full commitment, but soon found myself facing an unexpected challenge: I no longer had reliable transportation. Without a car, getting to classes, study sessions, and clinical rotations became a major source of stress during an already demanding time. In that difficult time, a grant from Conejo Teen Organization provided the critical support I needed to purchase a vehicle. This generous assistance allowed me to stay focused on my education without disruption and brought me one step closer to becoming the physician I had always aspired to be. Now, as a resident physician in internal medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, I reflect often on the impact of that support. It not only helped me stay on track academically, but also inspired me to pay that kindness forward in the way I care for my patients every day. Conejo Teen Organization’s commitment to empowering youth through practical support continues to create a lasting impact. I cannot express my gratitude to this organization enough. I remain deeply and eternally grateful for its role my journey."
Instability for youth in crises can be a constant companion. One particular disruption—the lack of reliable transportation—can be very challenging and disruptive to youth pursuing education and employment. CTO strives to assist when we hear of the absence of consistent, reliable transportation.
Since 2022, CTO has provided 15 transportation microgrants, including funds for car repairs, the purchase of used vehicles—often with the assistance of the youth, and funding for public transportation when needed.
Interface gets a facelift - Youth Crisis Drop In Center
Interface Youth Crisis Drop-In Center
Interface’s Oxnard office is home to its Youth Crisis and Homeless Services department. Interface requested assistance in furnishing and remodeling a conference room space into a Youth Drop In Center. The vision and hope for the space was to provide a safe location where youth ages 12-24 can access needed resources, receive case management, and participate in group activities with peers in the program. CTO funded the remodel of the conference room space to help Interface bring this vision to life.
Interface’s Oxnard office is home to its Youth Crisis and Homeless Services department. Interface requested assistance in furnishing and remodeling a conference room space into a Youth Drop In Center. The vision and hope for the space was to provide a safe location where youth ages 12-24 can access needed resources, receive case management, and participate in group activities with peers in the program. CTO funded the remodel of the conference room space to help Interface bring this vision to life.
Helping victims of the pacific palisades fire
On January 7, 2025, Natalie and Kevin began their day in Pacific Palisades like any other, with Kevin doing construction work, and Natalie tending to her family business. When the Lachman fire started, they began taking care of an elderly, blind neighbor, and other neighbors that congregated at their house to “watch the fire from the roof.” As the day went on, things became more serious as the fire spread toward town, and by early evening, it was clear they needed to evacuate immediately. They never thought the fire would reach them, and with such deadly force. They left with the clothes on their backs, their cat, and their cars. They lost 2 homes in the fire. CTO provided emergency money for clothing and essentials in the days following the tragic fire.