Camarillo, CA. - Once again this year, Student Government at CSU Channel Islands (CI) has organized a holiday gift drive to benefit 430 children who are residents at Casa Pacifica. Casa Pacifica provides a home, school and treatment facility for abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents from the tri-county area of Southern California.

Several years ago CI’s Student Government approached Casa Pacifica, CI’s Camarillo neighbor, asking to participate in the Kids’ Holiday Wish List program. Casa Pacifica commits to fulfilling this personalized wish list for all 430 residents so they are very dependent on the University’s and community’s generosity.

Katrina Newcomb, a Student Government Senator, explained that Student Government received small, paper dove ornaments personalized by each child at Casa Pacifica. Each ornament had the name of the child, his or her age and the gift desired. Student Government representatives then hung the dove ornaments on trees throughout the campus. Students and the entire campus community were invited to select an ornament, purchase the requested gift and return it with the ornament taped to the gift so it could later be given to the correct child. Monetary gifts to purchase gifts were also accepted. The gifts are scheduled to be delivered to Casa Pacifica on December 14.

Carrie Hughes, Assistant Director of Development & Public Relations at Casa Pacifica, explained that the facility and CI have had a very warm relationship over the years. “CI’s President Rush is on our Board of Directors. We have partnered with CI students on projects over the years, such as tutoring some of our students. We value the partnership with the University and its generous support of our 430 students and their families.”

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.