Vision Statement
JFAVC envisions a future of a widely engaged community that is committed to the betterment of social, economic, and environmental conditions for all.
Mission Statement
The mission of Justice for All Ventura County (JFAVC) is to motivate, educate, connect, and mobilize people to actively engage in their government in support of justice for all. By serving as an umbrella organization, JFAVC convenes likeminded organizations in Ventura County to work toward solutions of our shared agendas of Social Equity, Educational Justice, Economic Equity, Environmental Sustainability, and Violence Protection.
Upholding our democracy and ensuring a habitable planet for future generations are the cornerstones on which all other actions, rights, freedoms are predicated.
Our History
In January 2017, at Ventura’s Plaza Park, several thousand of us rallied and marched through the streets to demonstrate our commitment to standing up for justice for all people. Our goal was to engage people in community works that foster social justice. A few weeks later, on a cold and rainy night, many of us jammed the Knights of Columbus Hall to participate in bringing about change for the better! That night, Justice for All Ventura County was born.
One year later the political situation was still dire, so we marched again. “Ventura County Rising” was our second annual rally and march, held on January 20, 2018, just one month after the destructive Thomas Fire. More than two thousand people joined our demonstration to show that Ventura County could be counted with all the other demonstrations taking place across the country. Our third annual march, “Women Leading the Wave”, took place January 19, 2019. “March for Justice” was our fourth annual march on January 18th, 2020.
JFAVC continues to grow. We are incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We need volunteers to help with social media, create more connections with likeminded groups, and cultivate collaboration. Let us know how you want to help, at info@justiceforallvc.org.
Our Board Officers
President: Shane Meserve
Shane leads efforts and programs to support the survivors and family members of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting of October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas. She has a Master of Public Administration from CSU, Northridge and has lived in Ventura since 2013. Previous to this job she’s spent her career running programs for school age children and families through after school programs, summer camps and more. She also has a business as a Trainer, Consultant and subject matter expert on subjects such as child abuse prevention, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cultural Proficiency, the 5 Protective Factors, Trauma Informed Care, Self-Care, supportive mental health programming and more.
Shane is a proud 5th generation Californian! She lives in Ventura and loves to walk on the Promenade and enjoy a cocktail with her husband, Jon. Her volunteer efforts include Justice for All, Ventura College Foundation and more.
Vice President: Sandy Diaz
“I have been a Board Member for Justice for All Ventura County since 2019. I am a retired teacher from Ventura Unified School District, having worked at Sheridan Way School since 1993. Prior to that I have taught in San Bernardino, Victorville and Moreno Valley. Justice for All Ventura County inspires me to work for injustices in our community. I live in Oxnard with my husband Bill Karr.”
Secretary: Miriam Mack
“I got caught up in the hope offered by Justice for All Ventura County after attending their first organizational meeting in February 2017. I am honored to serve on the Board and further JFAVC’s work making Ventura County a caring community for all.
“I am retired from a career in local government for the cities of Ventura, Culver City and Santa Monica as their redevelopment administrators and economic development manager. I hold a MA from UCSB and I am a 47-year resident of Ventura County.”
Treasurer: David Comden
“I have been an advocate and activist since I was a teenager. Growing up in New York and Los Angeles, I saw the inequity in some portions of our society and vowed to work to help those who have greater challenges.
“I became involved with Justice for All Ventura County after having attended a few of their events in 2019-20. I believe in the concept of ‘think globally, act locally’ and ‘either you’re part of the solution or you’re part of the problem.'”
Our Board Members
Carl Morehouse
“A Land Use Planner by training and practice, and having served as an elected official for 17 years, I’ve been concerned with seeking balance between social equity, environmental, and economic issues for decades. I’m participating in JFAVC because it is an umbrella organization that crosses so many of those issues and is trying to tie participants in those three areas together to share information and concerns. As always, working together we can continue to improve society.”
Celeste Weingardt
[To be filled later!]
Echo Z.
“Multilingual marketer, retired photographer, card-carrying feminist. I peddle business insights at my day job, whilst moonlighting at a women’s shelter Andrew Tate hates and a women’s health nonprofit Tucker Carlson dislikes. Welcome to the version of myself that tests highest with focus groups.”
Jessica Wan
[To be filled later!]
John Procter
“I was born and raised in Santa Paula where I graduated SPUHS in 1970. I attended Stanford University and received a B.A. in Communications In 1974. I served on the Santa Paula City Council for 12 years (2 as Mayor), and I now enjoy playing music with my band, Johnny and the Love Handles.”
The Original Board
Founders & Board Emeritus
JFAVC was inspired by the desire of its eight founding members to create an organization that would not only advocate for social justice, but nurture future advocates for social justice in Ventura County. We owe a debt of gratitude to these original members, from left to right:
Andy Killion: Former member
Christine Burke: Former president
Carl Morehouse: Founder and current member
Molly Corbett: Founder and former member
John Procter: Founder and current member
Kathleen Shore: Founder and former member
Cat Pulisic: Founder and former member
Manny Minjares: Former member (not shown)