United Way of Ventura County’s United to End Homelessness (UTEH) Ventura County proudly announces a major milestone in its mission to address homelessness in our community. Since the founding of the Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) in
2019, 1,000 people have now been housed.
VENTURA — CalEITC Awareness Week is a statewide effort to ensure that eligible working families and individuals are aware of and able to claim, the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), the federal EITC, the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) and other impactful state and federal tax credits.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Education Awards Luncheon will once again be honoring single mothers who are pursuing their education. In 2024-25, Women United presented 11 education awards to local single mothers pursuing their education and has given out 91 awards since 2018.
Sixty-four percent of single mothers in Ventura County do not earn sufficient income to meet their basic needs and a critical component is Education.
Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial security. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2025 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients to access the tax credits for which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday.
THANK YOU to all who attended our 20th Annual Spirit Awards Gala! An event like this is not possible without our award recipients and the work they do for our community, the presenters, sponsors, donors, performers, volunteers, vendors, and the United Way of Ventura County staff!
Join us in celebrating United Way of Ventura County’s Spirit Award recipients and our 80th Anniversary!
Only one more day to take advantage of the early bird ticket price! After Friday, August 8 the ticket price is $250.
On behalf of all of us at United Way of Ventura County, thank you for your participation in our 2025 Stuff the Bus campaign. At the conclusion of our campaign, we distributed over 2,300 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in Ventura County experiencing homelessness. Thanks to your donation, you have helped pave the path to academic success for unhoused youth.
United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 20th Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also present our President’s Award. The awards and awardees are listed below:
SUPPORT A LOCAL COLLECTION DRIVE
The final day to drop off donations will be Friday, July 18th. Help us reach our goal of donating 1,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for homeless middle schoolers in Ventura County. When dropping off your donation, look for the pop-up bus and stop sign. Please note that only brand-new school supplies will be accepted.
VENTURA COUNTY — United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the 20th Annual Spirit Award Recipients. These awards honor our Founding members. Every year since 2005, individuals and organizations who embody the qualities of Milton M. Teague, Douglas Shively, and Roy Pinkerton are selected for this prestigious honor. This year we will also award our President’s Award. The awards and awardees are list below:
The Milton M. Teague Award is given to a board member for outstanding community volunteerism, voted on by their peers. This year we proudly give this award to Tim Harrington.
Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact is given to individuals who have served our community through our unique programs. This year we proudly give this award to Mayur Patel who is a champion of our Homelessness Initiative.
Roy Pinkerton Award for Top Corporate Citizenship goes to Procter & Gamble for their support through their corporate giving campaign, and sponsorship!
Cal Lutheran University will be honored with the President’s Award for their leadership and partnership with United Way’s Community Impact programs including Women United.
There are two days left to shop our online Roonga Drive, which closes on Wednesday, July 9th. If you would like to support Stuff the Bus but can’t find the time to shop for supplies in-person, our online drive is meant for you. All school supplies purchased online through Roonga will be shipped directly to us to fill backpacks for at-risk students in Ventura County. Our Roonga Drive includes a bundle where you can purchase a brand-new backpack filled with school supplies for $21.30. For less than $22, you can help pave the path to academic success for a homeless student.
Thank you so much to those who have already donated! Since the start of our 2025 campaign, we have received enough Roonga donations to send over 60 homeless middle school students back to school with a brand-new backpack and school supplies that include pencils, pens, markers, paper, a notebook, and more.
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To access our Roonga Drive, click the link here or scan the QR code below.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2025–2026 Board officers, effective July 1, 2025, continuing the organization’s longstanding tradition of collaborative, community-driven leadership.
The incoming Board Officers are:
Chair: Tim Harrington – Real Estate Consultant
Chair-elect: Stratis Perros – Environmental Services Director, City of Simi Valley
Treasurer: Osmany Rios – VP/Commercial Banking Officer, Montecito Bank & Trust
Secretary: Sierra Gutierrez – Eastern Regional Director, Premier America Credit Union
Immediate Past Chair: Brad Whetten – VP/Center Manager, Citizens Business Bank
We have come so far together! With you, we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year.Since opening our doors in April 1945, United Way has become a driving force for local impact — helping tens of thousands of residents rise above poverty, gain access to housing, education, and health services — all to build better futures.
To mark this milestone, we are hosting a special 80th Anniversary edition of our annual Spirit Awards Gala on Saturday, August 23, recognizing the people and partnerships that have fueled its mission — and inviting the community to shape its future. The more of you that are there, the more to celebrate!
Help United Way of Ventura County provide backpacks with essential school supplies for 1,000 local homeless youth
SUPPORT OUR ONLINE SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Our online school supply drive closes on Wednesday, July 9th. When you purchase supplies online through Roonga, the donations will be shipped directly to us to fill backpacks for at-risk students in Ventura County. Our Roonga Drive includes a bundle where you can purchase a brand-new backpack filled with school supplies for $21.30. For less than $22, you can help pave the path to academic success for a homeless student. Click the link here or scan the QR code below to purchase supplies to donate. Thank you so much to those who have already donated!
United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign aims to increase school readiness of homeless youth and lessen the financial burden of back-to-school expenses on their families. Over 8,000 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The average cost for back-to-school supplies for one child is almost $600, which can be a challenge for low-income families.
Studies show that barriers to school readiness can lead to increased absenteeism, developmental delays, poor literacy, and decreased emotional well-being. Students who come from low-income families are also seven times more likely to drop out of school than those from families with higher incomes.
New school supplies are essential for a student’s success in school. By providing homeless students with essential school supplies, our campaign helps pave the path to academic success by ensuring that students start the school year with the tools they need to learn. With your support, we can increase school readiness among homeless youth in our community and help them stay in school.
VENTURA COUNTY — We’re thrilled to announce Scharrell Jackson, celebrated author with over 25 years of executive leadership experience, as our keynote speaker for the Women United Education Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 30th at Cal Lutheran University. Scharrell is a champion of United Way’s collective community impact work, and we are honored to have her join us! Get your tickets today!
Recipients of the Women United Education Award are single mothers who are completing their associate degree and transferring to a four-year university or technical program and have children under the age of eighteen living in the home. This financial award may be used to offset any costs associated with efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by the Mountain Fire. We understand what an unpredictable and challenging time lies ahead for so many of our community members as they navigate seeking aid and resources in the face of tremendous loss.
Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VCVOAD) has created a needs assessment form to support Ventura County community members impacted by the Mountain Fire.
If you, or someone you know, has been impacted, please fill out the Needs Assessment Form below or call 2-1-1 for assistance. This form can also be found on our Disaster Relief website page.
Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial stability. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2024 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to commit four hours per week during the VITA tax season, February 1st – April 30th. Volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer. Virtual preparation of taxes is also available.
United Way thanks all who made this a spectacular evening!
We’re pleased to share with you our latest video highlighting our Community Impact programs.
Learn more about Women United, VITA, United to End Homelessness VC, Stuff the Bus, and Building Healthy Smiles initiatives and the outcomes we’ve accomplished together!
Please hit play to take a look!
United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign concludes on Friday, July 19th. Help us reach our goal of providing 2,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for homeless youth in Ventura County. You can help pave the path to academic success by ensuring that students start the school year with the tools they need to learn and be successful.
Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The high cost of school supplies remains a challenge to low-income families during back-to-school season. Studies show that students with barriers to school readiness have increased absenteeism, developmental delays, poor literacy, and decreased emotional well-being. As a result, students who come from low-income families are 7 times more likely to drop out of school than those from families with higher incomes. With your support, we can help increase school readiness among homeless youth in our community, increase their self-esteem, and help them stay in school.
Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. At United Way, our mission is to ensure youth in our community are college and career ready. Support our 2024 Stuff the Bus campaign and help us reach our goal of providing 2,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local students experiencing homelessness. You can help pave the path to academic success.
Exclusive VIP Event Sponsorship Reception at 5 p.m.
Registry and Networking at 6 p.m.
Dinner and Awards from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
VENTURA — As part of United Way’s mission to alleviate poverty and address local challenges, such as eliminating dental disease in children and homelessness, we lead an annual fundraising campaign to support these efforts. More than 20 corporate partners and over 100 organizations from Ventura County participate in this campaign.
This year, we have received a record $328,000 donation from Procter & Gamble. Throughout November and December, Procter & Gamble Oxnard Plant employees raised $270,000 from employee, retiree, and corporate giving. Additionally, more than $58,000 in special events and sponsorship were raised.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program has officially provided permanent housing for over 400 people with a 97.4% retention rate. This means 434 individuals, including 74 veterans, 54 seniors, and 153 children, now have a place to call home in our Ventura County community.
Homelessness and housing challenges are continuing to rise due to limited affordable housing supply, extremely low vacancy rates, and rising rents which all elevate the critical nature of this program. UWVC’s Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) advocates for and supports those prioritized for housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners.
“In today’s competitive housing market, many people are struggling to find affordable places to live,” said Mitchel Sloan, president, and CEO of UWVC. “Our Landlord Engagement Program is helping provide a safe place to call home for our community’s most vulnerable individuals, families, seniors and veterans.”
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Education Awards Luncheon will once again be honoring single mothers who are pursuing their education. In 2022-23, Women United presented 14 education awards to local single mothers pursuing their education and has given out 69 awards since 2018.
Sixty-four percent of single mothers in Ventura County do not earn sufficient income to meet their basic needs and a critical component is Education.
Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season from your friends at United Way of Ventura County.
VENTURA COUNTY — United Way of Ventura County is proud to announce it has appointed Jill Shaffer as director of resource development and marketing. She brings more than 40 years of experience in marketing and fundraising within the nonprofit sector.
Shaffer most recently served as the community engagement manager at Unite Us, where she developed strong relationships with community partners and facilitated collaboration with over 100 local organizations and agencies connecting them to vital services through the coordinated care network.
VITA volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners
Help low-income families and individuals improve their financial stability. Consider joining our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team of tax preparers and interviewers for the 2023 tax year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Services will be provided at multiple sites across Ventura County offering the opportunity to volunteer during the day, in the evening, or on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to commit four hours per week during the VITA tax season, February 1st – April 30th. Volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer. Virtual preparation of taxes is also available.
Help stuff backpacks with essential school supplies for local at-risk 3rd-5th grade students. Backpacks are being distributed in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education to children identified as homeless by their respective school district.
You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a family experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, your support not only provides essential school supplies. Studies show that it also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and helps ensure that our youth stay in school.
Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign which runs until July 13th. Please share this link with friends, family members, and co-workers. Also, below is a QR code that leads to the online drive.
We’re pleased to share with you our latest video highlighting our Community Impact programs.
Learn more about Women United, VITA, Stuff the Bus, United to End Homelessness VC, and Building Healthy Smiles initiatives and the outcomes we’ve accomplished together!
Please hit play to take a look!
Procter & Gamble Oxnard Plant local employees raised a record $200,000 from employee giving in addition to over $51,000 in special events and sponsorship. In addition to giving, P&G employees volunteered their time by packing more than 3,000 Stuff the Bus backpacks and provided Welcome Home Baskets for families housed through United Way’s Landlord Engagement Program.
“The P&G Oxnard Plant is proud to partner with United Way to serve the most vulnerable in our community with this philanthropic support,” said Rachel Buchenroth, Plant Manager of Procter & Gamble Oxnard. “Our team really rose to the occasion through our engagement, innovation, and generosity of gifts. P&G has a longstanding commitment in creating positive change locally in Ventura County, and I am pleased with our collective impact.”
Due to the winter storms the tax filing deadline for Ventura County has been extended and now low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents can have their state and federal tax returns prepared and e-filed for free on June 5th when the United Way E-bus tour comes to Ventura County. Residents can put more money back in their pocket with the help of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offered by United Way of Ventura County and the County of Ventura Human Services Agency.
VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) will host its 18th annual Spirit Awards Gala, where it will present awards for volunteerism, community impact and corporate citizenship to local community champions. The event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, located at 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard.
This year, Dr. Lisa L. Buono will be recognized with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism. She is receiving this award for her efforts as a volunteer leader with a focus on education and building strong communities.
Giving Tuesday is a simple and easy way to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and make our community a stronger and more resilient place to live and work. Become a part of the great work we’re doing and make a gift today. Kick off the season of giving today by making a gift to United Way of Ventura County. With your support, United Way can continue to provide basic needs, emergency support, and advance education, economic mobility, housing & health solutions that make our community stronger. Together, we can make real, lasting change.
