Subject = Public Comment Re: Item C — Library Activity Updates Name = Brian Schumacher
Phone = 8053029076
Email = [email protected]
Comments = Dear Mayor Tennessen and Members of the Camarillo City Council,
My name is Brian Schumacher, and I am the Advocacy and Community Impact Manager for Autism Society Ventura County. I am writing today on behalf of Autism Society Ventura County and our dedicated Advocacy Committee, who each week review local agendas to help ensure people with disabilities are included in decisions that affect their lives.
We are writing regarding Item C, The Recommendation to Receive and File Library Activity Updates, and to share our gratitude for the Camarillo Library and the City of Camarillo’s continued partnership with our organization and the families we serve.
One of the co-hosted programs we most celebrate is our ongoing Sensory Playgroup at the Ray D. Prueter Library, which has been taking place since September 2024. This program gives young children ages 5 and under — including Autistic children, children with sensory processing needs, and children of all abilities — a calm and welcoming and inclusive place to play, explore, and connect. Families are able to enjoy sensory story time, hands-on activities, and a variety of textures, colors, and sounds in an environment where their children are understood and supported. ASVC’s partnership with the Library has also supported our Teen Girls Meetups, which began in February 2025 and serve girls ages 11 to
17. Together, these programs have served approximately 30 families through regular ongoing programming. This number may seem small, but the real-life impact for our community is enormous. One of our Teen Girl Meetup parents had this to say:
“For years, my daughter didn’t know another girl with Autism. Now, thanks to the (ASVC) Library Teen Meetup, she finally has a space to connect with peers on the spectrum and just have fun – completely free from the fear of judgement. ”
Holding space for programming like this matters. It gives youth and their caregivers a place where sensory needs are understood, inclusion is intentional, and families can connect
with support without stigma. For families seeking answers about their own child, or those who are just beginning their Autism journey with a newly diagnosed loved one, these environments help build community, understanding, and opportunities for growth and celebration. We are thankful that the Library and the City recognize the importance of creating accessible spaces for Autistic children and their families.
We are also grateful that the Library will be hosting our upcoming final ceremony on Wednesday, August 26, celebrating the success of our Mission Possible youth advocates.
This program uplifts young people with disabilities and their allies as leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their communities, and we are grateful to have available a welcoming public space to celebrate their work. This sends an important message: our youth belong, their voices matter, and their contributions strengthen our community and make a brighter future possible.
Autism Society Ventura County appreciates the City of Camarillo and the Camarillo Library, and recognizes the Library as a hub for learning, access, inclusion, and community connection. We look forward to continuing this partnership and sharing the positive outcomes made possible when public spaces are open and accessible to the full community.
Thank you for your time, your service, and your continued support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Brian Schumacher
Advocacy and Community Impact Manager
Autism Society Ventura County
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