The Brain Injury Support Group of Ventura County has hired Cherie Phoenix as its new executive director. A longtime Thousand Oaks resident, Phoenix has diverse experience in nonprofit administration, fundraising and special events.

“Our goal is to reach every brain injury survivor and caregiver in the county,” Phoenix said. “We encourage survivors to be independent, active participants in the community. It’s like that ‘teach a man to fish’ adage: A self-advocate will ultimately succeed without needing help from anyone else.”

The support group’s website (www.bisgvc.com) and its resource center, located at 71 Day Road on the campus of Ventura College, provide survivors, caregivers and families with resources for housing, transportation, education and jobs. Constituents gather daily to socialize and network with each other in a relaxed setting.

On Wednesdays, the center hosts a casual dinner featuring a guest speaker. The Thousand Oaks HUGS support group meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the County Behavioral Health offices.

“Imagine you’re active and healthy one moment and the next you’re in a wheelchair, or you can’t remember what your address is or even how to talk,” said Phoenix, a 46-year-old mother of two. “Brain injury is a compelling cause—it can happen to any one of us, at any time.”

For more information, call (805) 654-6400, ext.1273.