From COVID-19 to WWII: 75 years of uniting Ventura County

Dear Friends,

Since our inception 75 years ago this month, United Way of Ventura County has been a volunteer-driven organization, improving lives by inspiring and mobilizing the caring power and resources of our community. Our neighbors experiencing homelessness cannot wait for help – they need it now, as the COVID-19 virus exposes and intensifies the homeless crisis. The unprecedented COVID-19 emergency is mobilizing our community to respond to our most vulnerable population and dictating a shift in how we provide services.

In partnership with the County Executive Office and Ventura County Continuum of Care staff, our United to End Homelessness COVID-19 Rapid Response will provide motel vouchers and meals for unsheltered homeless veterans (those not currently in transitional housing nor shelters), and hygiene kits for our unsheltered homeless population at large. These kits will be distributed by our county’s Public Health Backpack Medicine team. Since Monday, when we launched the campaign for the COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits, we’ve collected more than 275 kits. Help us reach our goal of 900 by contributing to our virtual collection drive at roonga.com/uwvchomelesscarekits.

When we opened our doors as the Ventura County War Chest on April 26, 1945, we were a community recovering from war. Today, we need you to help us get through this battle. Your support helps sustain vital collective impact initiatives like our United to End Homelessness COVID-19 Rapid Response and other vital initiatives that support Education, Income, and Health. Can we count on you? Live heroic and give generously today.

For accurate, trusted information on COVID-19 in Ventura County, please visit www.vcemergency.com. If you or a loved one is experiencing hardship and in need of services, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to connect to live operators who care and can connect you to help.

In service,

Eric Harrison 

President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County

Get involved in your community!Find a volunteer opportunity today.

To learn more, visit us at:

www.vcunitedway.org

Our neighbors experiencing homelessness during this public health crisis cannot wait for help – they need it now. It costs $7.50 to provide a care kit for an unsheltered individual in need.

You can make a donation at www.roonga.com/uwvchomelesscarekits. For more information or to learn more about the United to End Homelessness Landlord Engagement Program, contact program manager, Amy Duganne at amy.duganne@vcunitedway.org or 805.485.6288, x228.

To learn more, visit www.volunteerventuracounty.org. For more information, contact Lora Kline at lora.kline@vcunitedway.org or 805.485.6288, x231.

Thank you to all of our generous supporters and community partners.

To learn more, visit vcunitedway.org/women-united-luncheon.

Please note that both the federal and state deadline to pay and file has been extended to July 15, 2020.

One option for those with a simple return, (for example, single filer with up to two W-2s) is to complete your tax filing online at www.myfreetaxes.org/online.

Our hope is that conditions will change allowing sites to begin to re-open. We are committed to ensuring eligible workers in California are able to file a tax return and get the refund they’ve earned free of charge. However, we also want to make sure we’re protecting the health and safety of the communities where we work.

Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented tax season. Please stay safe and healthy. For more information and updates vcunitedway.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita.    

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.

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