Grant will support nonprofit’s landlord engagement program
VENTURA — The Amgen Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to United Way of Ventura County to continue to support the nonprofit’s United to End Homelessness initiative. This initiative is a landlord engagement program designed to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners to prevent and end homelessness.
Amgen awarded an initial $100,000 challenge grant to United Way in 2019, providing the foundation for a new funding mechanism designed to generate permanent supportive housing for chronic unhoused individuals through a streamlined, one-stop funding collaborative comprised of public and private funders dedicated to ending homelessness. United Way collected an additional $100,000 with the help of six local founding funders to end homelessness.
“It is incredible to see how the Ventura County community comes together to support those experiencing homelessness and create housing solutions — but there is still so much work to be done,” said Eduardo Cetlin, president, Amgen Foundation. “United Way’s programs continue to make a significant local impact, and we are proud to be part of their efforts to end homelessness.”
Recently, United Way reached a significant milestone in the United to End Homelessness initiative, with more than 100 homeless individuals housed through the program. With this grant from the Amgen Foundation, United Way will continue to expand the program, housing even more people throughout the Ventura County community.
“A huge thank you to the Amgen Foundation and the funding collaborative for their continued support,” said Eric Harrison, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. “We are making tremendous strides, but homelessness continues to be a major issue locally. There is always more we can do, and we will never stop looking for new ways to help everyone in our community have shelter, safety and a place to call home.”
United Way is also participating in the Ventura County Star’s “A Community Thrives” fundraiser challenge. The community can help support this important cause at https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/United-Way-Of-Ventura-County.
To become a member of the funding collaborative, please email Eric.Harrison@vcunitedway.org. Landlords interested in becoming a member of the landlord engagement program, please email Amy.Duganne@vcunitedway.org. To learn more about United to End Homelessness Ventura County, visit https://unitedtoendhomelessnessvc.org
About the Amgen Foundation — The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators and invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $350 million to local, regional, and international non-profit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. The Amgen Foundation brings the excitement of discovery to the scientists of tomorrow through several signature programs, including Amgen Scholars, Amgen Biotech Experience, and LabXchange. For more information, visit www.amgeninspires.com and follow us on Twitter @AmgenFoundation.
About United Way of Ventura County — Since 1945, United Way of Ventura County has advanced the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. United Way identifies the root causes of poverty and works strategically to solve them by building alliances across all sectors, funding targeted programs and advocating for change. When we work together in common purpose, we LIVE UNITED. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.