VENTURA, California – The 2025 LEGACY Awards, which recognize the contributions of Ventura County residents and organizations that dedicate their lives to helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live optimally, were presented on Wednesday morning at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council meeting.
Since 2018, the VCAAA Advisory Council’s Optimal Aging Committee has annually presented LEGACY Awards to a local business/organization, to Dementia Friendly business/organizations, and to community members/volunteers.
The 2025 winners are:
- Conejo Valley Village (business/organization)
- Country Harvest (Dementia Friendly business/organization)
- William Borkowski Jr. (community member/volunteer)
- Rigel Diaz (community member/volunteer)
Past winners and more information about the LEGACY Award can be found at VCAAA.VenturaCounty.gov/legacy.
Here is information about the 2025 winners:
CONEJO VALLEY VILLAGE
Award for Business/Organization
Conejo Valley Village is one of more than 50 independent villages in California, and the only one in Ventura County. This nonprofit membership organization serves Thousand Oaks and its surrounding communities by connecting its older-adult members to community programs, volunteer assistance and professional services needed to maintain independent living. Through its “neighbors helping neighbors” approach, the Village offers members and their families greater peace of mind, knowing a local support network is always nearby. Members have access to social activities, educational programs, transportation, household maintenance, technology support, check-ins and more, all provided by a network of trained and background-checked local volunteers.
COUNTRY HARVEST
Award for Dementia Friendly Business/Organization
Country Harvest has been a family-friendly and community-oriented business since its founding in 2002. The well-known restaurant in Newbury Park earned the Dementia Friendly designation last year and participated in a filming of a Dementia Friendly video that may be used to help train other businesses. Long before that, however, its staff had already been known for their welcoming approach to older adults and people with dementia. Country Harvest also plays an important role with the Senior Nutrition Program. During the pandemic, the restaurant was asked to prepare meals for homebound older adults, and at its peak, that resulted in approximately 3,000 meals a week for the community. Today, Country Harvest continues to produce about 750 meals per week, which volunteers deliver to homebound older adults in the area.
WILLIAM BORKOWSKI JR.
Award for Community Member/Volunteer
Since retiring from a 43-year career as an electrical engineer, William “Bill” Borkowski Jr. has dedicated his time to helping others. Since 2017, he has contributed approximately 12,000 volunteer hours to the VCAAA’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP). As a state-certified Medicare counselor, Bill provides free, unbiased guidance, helping residents save significant amounts of money on insurance premiums. He also volunteers with AARP’s tax preparation program, which provides free tax filing assistance to low-income older adults. In addition, Bill serves as a hospital Eucharistic minister and has mentored high school students in math, robotics and science decathlons. He is commended for his leadership, compassion and steadfast commitment to service.
RIGEL DIAZ
Award for Community Member/Volunteer
Rigel Diaz served as a flight mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and later worked in development with Lockheed Martin before retiring. After the passing of his parents, he moved to Oxnard to care for his brother Alfonso, who was born with developmental disabilities and faces additional health challenges. Eight years ago, Alfonso transitioned to the Glenwood Care Center, where Rigel has continued to visit him daily. In doing so, he has also become an integral part of the facility’s community. He spends time with other residents, assists staff with a variety of tasks and offers steady support to everyone around him. He helps families navigate the often-difficult transition to a nursing home. His kindness and compassion have brought comfort and joy to countless residents. Although Glenwood Care has offered him employment, Rigel has consistently declined, choosing instead to continue his service as a volunteer.
