OceanAir Federal Credit Union Donates Business Attire to Support Ventura College Students
The Ventura College Basic Needs Center’s Pirate Free Closet just received a generous boost from OceanAir Federal Credit Union employees Dustin Tondreau, AVP, Wealth Advisor/Program Manager, and Danny Cervantes, Community and Special Events Manager who hand-delivered roughly 40 pounds of gently-used professional clothing. This meaningful contribution will directly support Ventura College students as they prepare for job interviews, internships, and career opportunities.
Dustin Tondreau, who also serves as Treasurer of the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors, understands the challenges many students face outside the classroom. “Having access to professional clothing can make all the difference when trying to land that first job or internship,” Tondreau shared. “We’re proud to support students as they pursue their goals.”
The Pirate Free Closet, part of the college’s Basic Needs Center is an on-campus resource that provides essential clothing items — including professional attire — to students at no cost. With 63% of Ventura College students identifying as low- to extremely low-income, access to free essentials like clothing can significantly reduce financial stress and help students focus on their academic and career goals.
In addition to the Pirate Free Closet, the Basic Needs Center offers a wide range of services aimed at supporting student success, including food assistance, housing referrals, access to showers, and more. The center currently sees over 4,000 unique student visits every semester, underscoring the high demand for its critical services.
“Every item donated to the Pirate Free Closet helps students get their foot in the door,” said Maria Cristoso-Calderon, Basic Needs Specialist at Ventura College. “When students feel supported, they’re more likely to feel confident and succeed.”
OceanAir Federal Credit Union’s donation reflects a growing partnership between local businesses and Ventura College to uplift students and remove barriers to success. Community engagement like this strengthens the college’s mission and reminds students that their community believes in them.
Are you interested in learning more about how you can support the amazing work of the Basic Needs Center? reach out to Pete Parker, Director of Development at pparker@vcccd.edu
To contribute online, visit Ventura College Foundation’s Basic Needs Center donation webpage. https://venturacollegefoundation.org/giving-vcbasicneeds/