United Way of Ventura County — Uniting Together

Throughout the month of February, Building Healthy Smiles is providing a series of oral health assessment events at several schools in the Hueneme Elementary School District

Our volunteer dentists and hygienists provide a brief oral health check and fluoride varnish application at the school site. Children are given an oral health kit containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and oral health information. Nurses follow up with parents of students with urgent dental care needs and are given information on where they can access dental care.

Throughout the month we will assess about 900 students.

We are grateful for the support of our BHS partners and volunteers who help in making these assessments possible for our community!

To learn more about Building Healthy Smiles, contact Sandra Martinez, Program Officer, Community Impact at 805.485.6288, ext. 270 or sandra.martinez@vcunitedway.org.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit vcunitedway.org/spirit-awards-gala/.

From February through April 30, 2022, trained VITA volunteer tax preparers will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $57,000 in 2021 are eligible to use the free services.

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.

Appointments must be scheduled by calling 211 or by visiting www.MyFreeTaxes.org for self-appointment setting.

To learn more, visit vcunitedway.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita.

To watch the recording of our United to End Homelessness Symposium VC panelists, click the link below.

If you missed out on the opportunity to obtain a signed copy of Jessica Bruder’s award-winning bestseller “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century,” reach out to United Way, who have a few left, for a $50 donation!

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.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funding helps to expand the capacity of such programs in high-need areas throughout Ventura County. This national EFSP was created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations, both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. United Way of Ventura County convenes the local board responsible for determining funding to agencies that provide emergency assistance for food, shelter, and rental/mortgage.

Programs for which EFSP funding is requested must have an established track record and must have been in place for a minimum of two years. Funds must be used to supplement food and shelter services and may not be used as seed money for new programs.

The Local Board is accepting applications for Phase 39/ARPA-R through March 1, 2022.  To learn more and obtain an application, visit vcunitedway.org/emergency-food-and-shelter-program.

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!

To learn more and register, visit www.volunteerventuracounty.org or contact Sandra Martinez for more information at sandra.martinez@vcunitedway.org.

United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program is creating Welcome Home Baskets for our neighbors recently housed. We want to welcome them and get them started in their new homes. Please help support our community and complete a basket to welcome our newly housed neighbors! These kits will provide essential household supplies for folks to make it a home of their own.

Baskets can include:

We ask that if any food items are packaged in your baskets, they are store bought and have not been opened. All basket items should be new.

Once you have collected your items and assembled your basket, please contact Sandra Martinez at sandra.martinez@vcunitedway.org to arrange for drop-off at United Way of Ventura County office.

To make an online donation, visit https://igfn.us/form/hEGFmg.

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:

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.

To learn more, contact Aubrey Blickman at aubrey.blickman@vcunitedway.org or Susan Englund at susan.englund@vcunitedway.org.

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.

To participate in the 2022 survey (and acquire the 2021 survey report, if you don’t already have it), visit socal.nonprofitcomp.com, or email Nonprofit Compensation Associates at survey@nonprofitcomp.com.

Participation deadline:          March 11, 2022 (extended deadline)

Report publication date:       April 30, 2022