Community Spotlight: Meet Gabrielle Vignone of House Farm Workers!

Gabrielle Vignone

Executive Director, House Farm Workers!

Can you please share more about yourself and the mission of House Farm Workers!? 

I have been in the housing industry for over 14 years, directly involved with an array of housing in Santa Barbara and Ventura County, spanning from senior housing, student housing, HOA management, rental properties, affordable housing, and farmworker dedicated affordable housing. During my time at Azhar Place Apartments, which was developed and managed by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, I was able to create programs that directly benefited the farmworker families beyond supporting their housing needs, including the creation of a resident-run food pantry in collaboration with Food Share that not only served as a way to have access to food, but as a way to develop job skills. We came together as a community at that property to enhance an existing fruit and vegetable garden, and for residents to take leadership roles in planning events. And as a community, we went together to community meetings in support of future affordable housing developments. During my time at Azahar, Karen Flock, a board member of House Farm Workers! (HFW!) approached me to join the HFW! Ventura City Committee, which I ended up hosting monthly, with the occasional attendance by farmworker residents. After my departure from Azahar, I remained a member of the committee. When a position opened up at House Farm Workers! I applied, knowing their mission of promoting affordable, safe, and stable housing for Ventura County farmworkers and their families through education and advocacy, aligned with my values. I was honored when the founding members of HFW! selected me to be the organization's Executive Director, and the way they continue to support and encourage my advancements.

Who has made a strong impact on your life and has helped you to get you where you are today?

My gratitude need is extensive and ever expanding. First and foremost, to the divine power that has guided me and bestowed upon me many graces. Among many, my children, my mother, and many kind people who have helped me along my journey.

Since becoming a mom, my professional drive has been directly linked and supported by the unconditional love of my children. Additionally, I credit the impact of others I have been blessed to have in my life, including my mother, who has taught me grace, independence, strength, and how to lead in my feminine. My former CSUCI professor, who put as much energy into my creative writing as I did, and taught me the value of investing in someone beyond your obligations. Former bosses and my very knowledgeable and established current board members, who go out of their way to continually support and improve me. And of course, friends who are there for all of the non-work stuff we all have to navigate, thank you, Alex Castilla and Raquel Torres.

What are some recent highlights at House Farm Workers!? And what events, milestones and steps are in the near future?

House Farm Workers! has continuously supported the creation of affordable housing throughout Ventura County through policy work and public comment, and we have seen approvals from jurisdictions and the creation of affordable housing for farmworkers by local developers in return. Last year, we added Affordable Housing Resource Fairs to our programming to create a single space where farmworkers can attend and connect with multiple affordable housing providers.

Since 2020, House Farm Workers! has been working in collaboration with the County of Ventura’s Planning Division on a Countywide Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan, which officially started in Fall 2021 to identify housing needs of farmworkers in the County and consider alternate solutions to

improve and develop much-needed farmworker housing throughout the County. The Study and Action Plan is currently in Phase 4 of 5, and House Farm Workers! is leading the community engagement efforts.

What about House Farm Workers! is special to you, what would you like our readers to know?

House Farm Workers! is special to me because it is an organization that truly prioritizes the population it was established to serve. HFW! works in community and thrives in collaboration with so many Ventura County community members directly involved in its mission by serving on our city committees, showing up to public comment, being receptive to feedback, allowing us to present to their membership, and volunteering at our events.

Another special part of HFW! is its very dedicated and active board, many of whom co-founded the organization and have held their board position for over 20 years.

Why did you think it was important to become a member of the CNL? What do you value most about your connection with CNL?

House Farm Workers! has been a member of CNL since 2010 and has helped multiple staff and board members by providing valuable training courses. I have also benefited from many CNL courses and was recently accepted into the CNL Nonprofit Executive Leader Roundtable, which has provided me with a new set of confidantes. CNL provides professional learning in a manner that allows members to participate honestly.

How can the community support you? Where can they find you on social media?

The community can support House Farm Workers! by speaking on behalf of affordable housing, joining one of our city committees, attending or volunteering at one of our events, including our annual fundraiser on July 15th, or by donating at https://housefarmworkers.org/donate/

Look for us on social media using @housefarmworkers.