Oxnard’s youth wellness center Nate’s Place is planning to move to another location in the city while providing emergency housing with the help of a $5.71 million grant.
“This is a really great need that’s going to be met,” said Oxnard Councilmember Gabe Teran, of the counseling and activity services the nonprofit provides to at-risk youth.
The grant, received in March, was awarded through the California Department of Health Care Services Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program to build an expanded youth recovery campus, said Heidi Allison, who opened the nonprofit with her husband, Larry Rhoades.
The new grant will expand services to young adults and offer beds for a separate place to stay temporarily, according to a news release.
The nonprofit organization must raise 10% of the money, or $571,000, as part of the grant, which is a building grant for expanding services and emergency housing, Allison said.
They will hold fundraising events and are looking for donations, she said.
The Ventura County-owned property at 3840 W. Channel Islands Blvd., must close by June 30 because it will be redeveloped.
“Nate’s Place needs to expand anyway and this is an opportunity because we get so many calls a week and we’ve run out of space,” Allison said.
The new site, at 375 S. K St., is about two and a half times larger than their current facility, allowing it to serve more people and expand programs that support mental health and substance use recovery and social connection, Allison said.
The nonprofit expects to open at the new location in the early part of 2027, she said.
The new campus will include separate housing with 20 beds for ages 18 to 25 and offer stays of up to 14 days and support from a housing navigator to help with long-term housing and community resources, according to a news release.
Nate’s Place uses peer recovery coaching, recreational and creative activities and counseling, support and education groups, according to a news release.
The goal is teaching youths coping skills and helping them to get a better sense of self to accomplish their goals, Allison said.
Teran said the nonprofit helps young people find a place of belonging, inclusion and support to help them become successful.
“Nate’s Place does it in such a great way that it’s just a really great fit for those kids who feel like they’re not getting it anywhere else,” he said.
The program, which includes free transportation from certain schools and homes, is currently free but the organization is working on credentialing to bill Medi-Cal, Allison said.
In 2025, the program had 853 pickups of youths to the facility and, on any given day, has three to four vehicles doing pickups, she said.
Oxnard Mayor Luis Mc Arthur said he was glad the nonprofit was able to stay in Oxnard.
For more information or to donate, visit natesplacewellnesscenter.org.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Nate’s Place plans Oxnard move, expansion with $5.7M grant
Reporting by Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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