Fillmore, CA – Conejo Health has been awarded the prestigious Elevate Youth California (EYC) grant award funded by the dedicated efforts of the Conejo Health team. This award marks the launch of an innovative program aimed at preventing substance use and promoting healthy habits among the youth ages 12-26 in the Heritage Valley area of Ventura County.

Elevate Youth California supports this project through Proposition 64 funds. The California Department of Health Care Services contracts The Center at Sierra Health Foundation to support the implementation of this program. Elevate Youth California is designed to foster the next generation of community leaders through prevention, education, and early intervention programs. Conejo Health, a Southern California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020, dedicated to providing equitable public health services, with a primary focus on substance use disorders in our area.
The founding of Conejo Health was inspired by a personal tragedy experienced by its founder, Matt Pall, who lost his partner in 2019, followed by the loss of two friends. Determined to prevent others from experiencing similar losses, Matt Pall, a paramedic, established Conejo Health to offer access, awareness and action around substance use. Conejo Health is proud to have been awarded the first grant from the EYC platform based solely in Ventura County. In 2023, longtime Fillmore resident Brandy Hollis sought to bring positive change to her community by exploring street/backpack medicine initiatives. This led her to collaborate with Conejo Health's Ian Anderson and former 20-year Fillmore resident Larissa Nelson who has a passion for community service and youth programs. Recognizing their shared passion for preventative measures, together they developed this program and Brandy joined Conejo Health to serve as Director of this groundbreaking youth program in Ventura County. The program is being run with the help of Larissa Nelson and set to join the team is youth intern Fillmore native Ivan Becerra who will act as a community mentor while entering his second year at Cal Lutheran. Ivan was recently awarded District 63’s Umpire of the Year and received special recognition from Fillmore Mayor Carrie Broggie.

This EYC-funded program, named "Rompiendo Cadenas" (Breaking Chains), symbolizes the community’s commitment to overcoming addiction and fostering future leaders. The program will focus on community involvement, public speaking, social campaigns, mentorship, the arts, sports, technology, volunteerism, and character building for those ages 12-26.
Numerous community partners are poised to support this transformative initiative.

Brandy Hollis, the new program director, is an active member of the Fillmore community and currently serves as a Commissioner on the City of Fillmore Cultural Arts and Recreation Commission (CAR). Brandy's extensive community involvement includes serving on various committees, contributing articles to the Fillmore Gazette, and participating in local government and school board meetings. She has served as member at large on Fillmore Lions Club scholarship committee, Fillmore Women's Service Club (just served as MC for the 1st Casino Night fundraiser in May), Fillmore High Schools School Site Council President, San Cayetano Elementary Schools Site Council Vice President , participated in the LCAPP process, and you can usually find her at the City Council and/or School Board meetings. In the past she has coached youth sports in baseball, softball and soccer as well as served on AYSO 242 Board. She looks forward to promoting Fillmore's Summer Music Nights, bringing live music and dancing to the city.

With her proven track record of child advocacy and community engagement, Brandy is confident that Rompiendo Cadenas will not only break the chains of addiction but also dismantle stigma, empowering youth to become future leaders. Conejo Health is proud to embark on this journey with Elevate Youth California, introducing innovative and impactful initiatives to our youth to combat the substance abuse epidemic sweeping our state and nation.

Contact: Conejo Health Brandy Hollis eyc@conejohealth.com IG: rc_ch_eyc