January 2022 E-Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
After six months of working with a family of two adults and five children (all ages 7 and under, including an infant), our team has successfully found permanent housing for them thanks to our partnership with a private landlord in Port Hueneme. The landlord is also looking to purchase another property to continue her partnership with United Way. Housing First is a proven model and it’s working. Since we launched the program two years ago, we’ve helped permanently house 146 individuals.
Next week as part of our United to End Homelessness Ventura County Symposium, I’ll be interviewing keynote speaker, Jessica Bruder, author of the award-winning Nomadland. The book, and the Oscar-winning film based on the book, documents the lives of itinerant Americans who travel from job to job out of economic necessity. I hope you’ll join me for this important virtual symposium on February 4.
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Eric Harrison
President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County
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Advocate.
You can make change happen with your voice. United Way needs people who are passionate about education, income, and health to make some noise. To stay informed, visit vcunitedway.org/advocate. To become involved in our advocacy work, email info@vcunitedway.org
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United to End Homelessness Ventura County Symposium: February 4, 2022
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Please join us on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for our second United to End Homelessness Ventura County Virtual Symposium, with keynote speaker, Jessica Bruder, author of the award-winning “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.”
Purchase general admission tickets for $30 or VIP tickets (which include a signed copy of the book by the author) for $100.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Now Recruiting Volunteers for Tax Season
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In-person tax preparation will return beginning February 1, 2022
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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be preparing state and federal tax returns for households earning under $57,000 annually.
In-person sites will be located at Many Mansions Hillcrest Villas (Thousand Oaks), East County Community Service Center (Simi Valley), Oxnard College, Ventura Community Service Center, and United Way (Ventura). COVID-19 protocols will be followed including the wearing of masks.
There will also be a virtual option available for those who are able to upload, download and print their documents.
You can self-schedule an in-person tax preparation appointment by visiting www.MyFreeTaxes.org. If you need assistance scheduling your appointment, call 211.
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Get Your Free At-Home COVID Tests
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Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. To order your free tests, visit covidtests.gov.
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Landlord Engagement Program Provides Financial Incentives & Supportive Services for Property Owners
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Are you a Ventura County property owner/housing provider seeking stable tenancies, rental income, and a way to help our neighbors who need a home?
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Do you have a housing unit to lease in the near or immediate future? We are seeking studios to 3+ bedrooms. Our goal is to engage our community in ensuring that everyone has a place to call home. United Way will provide financial and supportive services to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial housing process.
Join the effort and receive a leasing bonus of up to two times the monthly rent charged for the unit! This incentive is available for landlords and separate from any costs incurred by program participants.
For more information or to learn more about the Landlord Engagement Program, please contact Amy Duganne at 805.485.6288, x228 or amy.duganne@vcunitedway.org.
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LIVE United! Volunteer and Make a Difference in 2022!
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Interested in volunteering and making a difference in the community? United Way’s Volunteer Ventura County (VVC) center is a great resource to connect with volunteer opportunities. VVC partners with more than 250 community organizations in Ventura County that post their needs for folks to view and respond to. There are a variety of causes and opportunities to connect with – from helping with COVID-19 response & recovery, to youth, families, homelessness, events and more!
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Homeless Point in Time Count Rescheduled!
New Date: February 23, 2022
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Volunteers needed for the
2022 Ventura County Homeless Count
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Community volunteers are needed for the annual count and survey of homeless persons in Ventura County. This important effort helps to obtain a snapshot census of people experiencing homelessness and to gain access to state and federal funding, as well as determine the greatest priorities to prevent and end homelessness in Ventura County.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older and have the ability to walk distances in designated locations. You may select preferred city locations when you register.
Volunteers are required to attend virtual training and will be paired with another volunteer on the morning of the count to canvass areas seeking persons to survey.
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Attract and Retain the Best Employees for
your Organization in 2022 and Beyond
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Participate in the Fair Pay for Southern California Nonprofits: 2022 Compensation & Benefits Survey
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Now open for participation, with new questions about DEI practices, a revised Economic Environment/COVID-19 Pandemic section, and new jobs in the Administration, Education, Operations and Social Services/Behavioral Health.
As our communities continue to recover from the pandemic, nonprofit managers are navigating uncertain economic conditions related to pay rates, employee retention, benefits, and employment policies. The survey provides a wealth of information to help nonprofits make informed decisions about these key issues.
The survey covers these ten Southern California counties: Imperial, Los Angeles,
Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Kern, Orange, San Bernardino, San Luis, Obispo, and Ventura.
The cost of the survey report depends on your organization’s financial size and is steeply discounted for participants.
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Participation deadline: February 18, 2022
Report publication date: April 30, 2022
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Mentors Needed for Women United Education Award Recipients
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Women United is seeking potential mentors in professional positions who would like to guide a single mom college student in reaching her career goals. This year, eight new recipients of the Women United Education Award are looking to work with a mentor who will guide, encourage, and support them in their professional journey. The career goals of the students looking to be matched are in the following fields:
- Accounting & Finance
- Guidance Counselor
- Healthcare Administration
- Dentistry
Serving as a mentor is a unique and rewarding experience. Your leadership skills will be enhanced and the guidance you provide will positively impact the life of a single mother pursuing her higher education and career goals. This opportunity will provide a valuable experience for both the mentor and mentee.
Proficiency in the listed fields is not a requirement to serve as a mentor. Anyone who has professional experience in a business environment and is willing to share their knowledge with a mentee is encouraged to become a mentor.
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TEXT TO GIVE!
Did you know that United Way of Ventura County has gone mobile? Make a $10 donation to the United Way’s Community Impact Fund using your cellphone. Your donation counts! Simply text the keyword UWVC to 91999. Standard message & data rates apply.
SPREAD THE WORD!
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You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this newsletter to five people.
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