SNOOZING THROUGH SOME BAD NEWS—An infant is one of the residents of Conejo Mobile Home Park who will be evicted by Dec. 31. Grace, 2 months old, sleeps during a meeting in the street of the park that’s being closed. Her mother, Sarahi Martinez, listens as government officials inform residents there’s no financial help available. NANCY NEEDHAM/ Acorn Newspapers When Conejo Mobile Home Park residents learned they must move out by Dec. 31, many didn‘t know where to turn.

Government officials told them no financial help would be coming.

Newbury Park resident Gigi Cartwright’s heart began to break when she read about her neighbors’ plight and how those who live in the soon-to-close mobile home park were unsure what to do or whom to trust. So she decided to get involved.

Of the original 49 units, about 30 are still occupied by residents in need of assistance.

Joseph Bednar, the owner who was evicting them, hired Mecky Myers, a relocation specialist.

Myers moved her motor home into the park and has begun interviewing residents and learning about their needs.

Cartwright is calling around, trying to find houses of worship, charities and anyone who could possibly have a shelter that would keep the mobile home park residents from being homeless when their eviction day arrives.

It was at a meeting on Aug. 11 that government officials told the mobile home park residents they wouldn’t be giving them any financial help.

City community development deputy director Mark Towne handed out a list of apartments that might be available, but the rents listed for those apartments exceeded what the residents could afford.

Penny Mayou, who lives at the park, said some residents are so full of despair they’ve talked about committing suicide rather than becoming homeless when it’s time to leave their homes.

Cartwright said her heart wouldn’t let her just stand by and watch this happen.

“I don’t have a lot of money, but I have some time,” she said.

Cartwright is employed fulltime and had been going to school, but now that she’s obtained her bachelor’s degree, she can use her former study time to help.

Right now she’s tracking down “anyone with a heart” who could help these people get into a home, she said.

Cartwright can be reached at helpcmhp@yahoo.com.

“It’s very distressing to see seniors facing this dilemma at this time in their lives,” Cartwright said.

Also meeting with the residents is nonprofit Conejo Valley Cares executive director John Gorham.

The former director of local food bank Manna, Gorham has seen a lot of economic suffering in the community.

“These people are desperate. Their situation is dire.”

Gorham said he’s working with Carwright to put together a fundraiser.

“We need to prevent homelessness and help these people have as soft as landing as possible.”

Gorham said donations to Conejo Valley Cares, P.O. Box 1347, Thousand Oaks, 91358 will help local residents in need.

To contact Gorham, call (805) 368-9829.