Tag: United Way of Ventura County

United Way of Ventura County — Mountain Fire Needs Assessment Survey

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.

United Way of Ventura County now seeking 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 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 of Ventura County — Thank you for making our 19th Annual Spirit Awards Gala a success!

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 of Ventura County — Time to Stuff The Bus

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.

United Way of Ventura County’s 2024 Stuff The Bus

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. 

It’s time for United Way of Ventura County’s 2024 Stuff The Bus

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. 

United Way of Ventura County’s Community Impact Efforts Receive Record $328,000 Donation

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.

United Way of Ventura County provides permanent homes for over 400 residents

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.”

United Way of Ventura County — Women United Education Awards on May 22 to Honor and Assist Single Moms

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.

United Way of Ventura County introduces new Director of Resource Development and Marketing

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.

United Way of Ventura County — Now seeking volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-income earners

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.

United Way of Ventura County launches 2023 Stuff The Bus Campaign

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.  

United Way of Ventura County — Thank you for making our 18th Annual Spirit Awards Gala a success!

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 in Oxnard Provides a Record $251,000 to United Way’s Community Impact Effort

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.”

June 5 — VITA E-bus coming to Ventura County to help those with low-moderate incomes to file for Available Tax Credits through VITA Program

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.

June 24 — United Way of Ventura County’s 18th Annual Spirit Awards

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.

United Way of Ventura County — #GivingTuesday is here. How will you change your community today?

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.

United Way of Ventura County — Compassion + Results

Dear Friends,

Fall is officially here and it’s hard to believe that 2023 is just around the corner. As we celebrate 77 years of Uniting Ventura County, I am so proud of how your local United Way has responded throughout these challenging times, but our support is only possible because of the continued generosity of our community. It’s your generosity that powers the programs serving those in need and changing lives. Lives like John, a U.S. Air Force veteran. Please read his testimonial.

“With only social security, and no family to fall back on, I began a search for a place I could settle down in. The money I had on hand didn’t last long and then the pandemic hit. At this point, I didn’t have a place to call home and I started living in my car. I connected with United Way and they gave me a sense of hope in the real possibility of finding somewhere to live. They helped me find a place in a senior living apartment complex. They also helped with furniture, bedding, dishes, and utensils. The compassion and care they showed gave me confidence that things would work out. I feel fortunate because of their efforts.”

Stuffing the Bus to Empower Youth in Ventura County

About 3,000 students experiencing homelessness in Ventura County will start the new school year off right with backpacks filled with essential-school supplies.

The backpacks were delivered to more than 200 Ventura County schools through United Way of Ventura County’s Stuff the Bus Campaign, made possible with support from the Ventura County Office of Education, the Gene Haas Foundation, community members and a $10,000 donation from Aera Energy.

“For so many of our families the little money they have may be better spent on food, paying rent or a new pair of shoes for the school year rather than backpacks and school supplies,” said Susan Englund, vice president of community impact, United Way of Ventura County. “We’re helping ease the financial burden on parents so the students can start the school year with everything they need. These supplies also promote learning, build self-esteem, and help our youth stay in school.”

United Way of Ventura County — Last Day to Help us Reach our Goal!

This is the last day for our
Stuff the Bus school supply drive!

Thank you for helping us reach our goal!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness. 

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. 

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.

United Way of Ventura County — Help us Reach our Goal!

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.

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.

United Way of Ventura County welcomes new board members and officers

As of July 1, 2022, United Way of Ventura County is welcoming several new members and officers to its board. Dr. Lisa Buono, dean of California Lutheran University’s School for Professional & Continuing Studies, will be succeeding Dr. Greg Gillespie as board chair, a position she will hold until June 30, 2023.

“I’m honored to be selected as United Way of Ventura County’s next board chair,” Buono said. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members and the rest of our amazing team at the United Way as we continue our mission of helping Ventura County thrive through efforts focused on improving education, financial stability and health for our community.” 

Today — United Way of Ventura County’s 2022 Stuff The Bus Campaign

Today is United Way’s Day of Action!

You can participate by joining United Way of Ventura County’s 2022 Stuff the Bus campaign!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness. 

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. 

Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we know that the need for support among homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.

Please help fill the backpacks by supporting our online Roonga school supply campaign.

United Way of Ventura County — Thank you for making our 17th Annual Spirit Awards Gala a success!

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!

United Way of Ventura County names Mitchel Sloan president and CEO

United Way of Ventura County’s board has officially appointed Mitchel Sloan as the nonprofit’s new president and CEO. Sloan has been filling the role on an interim basis since March 2022.

“Choosing a president and CEO is not a decision we take lightly, and after an extensive search, we are certain Mitchel is the ideal leader for United Way,” said board chair Greg Gillespie. “His performance in the interim role has been exceptional, and he knows our organization and this community inside and out. We look forward to continuing to collaborate to make a difference, inspired by Mitchel’s dedication, expertise and passion.”

United Way of Ventura County — Brenna Whitaker & Band Confirmed for Spirit Awards Gala!

We are excited to share with you all that BRENNA WHITAKER and her band will be joining us for the 17th Annual Spirit Awards Gala on June 4!

There is still time for you to grab tickets to celebrate our community heroes while enjoying an evening under the stars at the Hyatt Regency in Westlake.

United Way of Ventura County — Honoring the past while focusing on the future

On Saturday, June 4, we will celebrate our 17th Annual Spirit Awards Gala for the first time at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. This will be a special evening recognizing community and corporate leaders who partner with us throughout the year and help us sustain our vital initiatives. These honorees embody the spirit of the United Way founders, who boldly formed the War Chest of Ventura County in 1945.

Midge Campbell-Thomas, our Treasurer and Immediate Past Chair, will receive the Milton M. Teague Award for outstanding volunteerism. Armand Begian, DDS, will be recognized with the Douglas Shively Award for his service as a longtime Building Healthy Smiles initiative volunteer and partner. For their top corporate citizenship, outstanding workplace campaign, and corporate volunteer engagement, Procter & Gamble will receive the Roy Pinkerton Award.

United Way of Ventura County — 17th Annual Spirit Awards – Early Bird Pricing Available Now!

United Way of Ventura County is thrilled to share with you this year’s honorees for the 17th Annual Spirit Awards Gala.

Midge Campbell-Thomas, President, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara, will be recognized with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism.
Armand Begian, DDS, will be honored with the Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact.
Procter & Gamble will receive the The Roy Pinkerton Award for Top Corporate Citizenship for its sixth time.

Tickets are now available to purchase for the June 4 event, where we’ll come together at the Hyatt Regency Westlake for dinner and awards to celebrate this year’s wonderful community champions.

United Way of Ventura County launches Forward Home Program

United Way of Ventura County has officially launched its new Forward Home Program in partnership with the City of Oxnard, which assists City of Oxnard clients experiencing homelessness in successfully transitioning to stable housing. 

UWVC provides a variety of services via the Forward Home Program, including collaborating with case managers as well as assisting clients in gathering and obtaining necessary documents, receiving credit counseling, applying for housing voucher programs, accessing additional community resources, and more.

United Way of Ventura County — Uniting Together

Thanks to your continued generosity, your United Way has been able to navigate through these incredibly challenging times and, together, we’ve been able to continue serving those in need.

Because of your generosity, our homelessness initiative has exceeded expectations since its launch two years ago—permanently housing more than 150 individuals including families, seniors, and veterans. Earlier this month we held our second homelessness symposium, facilitating the important and necessary conversations needed to create housing solutions for our county’s unhoused community members.

Volunteers in Ventura County Help ?Those with Low-Moderate Incomes File for Available Tax Credits Through VITA Program

Tax season is upon us and low- to moderate-income Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).

Throughout February to 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.

United Way of Ventura County — 5-day countdown to Homelessness Symposium — Register Now!

5 days until our second United to End Homelessness Ventura County Virtual Symposium on Feb. 4, 2022. There’s still time to register!

A panel moderated by Tony Biasotti, Executive Editor, Pacific Coast Business Times, includes:

Julia Brownley, U.S. representative (CA-26);
Mike Powers, CEO, County of Ventura;
Murtaza Sanwari, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente;
Matt Capritto, realtor and housing champion; and
Amy Duganne, director, homelessness initiatives, United Way of Ventura County.

Jacqui Irwin, Assemblymember (AD-44) will lead a community conversation to close the symposium.

Feb. 4 — United Way of Ventura County — Early Bird Special for Virtual Homelessness Symposium Tickets!

We’re excited to share that our ticket registration link is now LIVE for our second United to End Homelessness VC Virtual Symposium, with keynote speaker, Jessica Bruder, author of “Nomadland.” 

If you purchase your tickets by Dec. 31, 2021, we’re offering an Early Bird special — 15% off for both VIP (includes signed copy of the book!) and General Admission tickets.

Learn more about the event and purchase your virtual tickets on our event page.

June 4 — United Way of Ventura County hosts 17th annual Spirit Awards Gala

On June 4, 2022, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) will host its 17th 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 Hyatt Regency Westlake, located at 880 S. Westlake Blvd.

This year, Midge Campbell-Thomas, President, Bank of America Ventura/Santa Barbara, 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 numerous nonprofit organizations with a focus on addressing social and economic concerns and building strong communities.

United Way of Ventura County — 130 housed and we’re not stopping!

As we wrap up another year, we take a moment to reflect back on the progress we’ve made through our United to End Homelessness VC Initiative. This month marks the 2-year anniversary of its launch, and with your help, and the support of strong community partnerships, we’ve been able to permanently house 130 individuals. We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you in 2022, as we continue to expand our efforts.

United Way of Ventura County — United in compassion

Earlier this month, I celebrated my seventh anniversary with United Way of Ventura County.

Since I started in 2014, our organization has navigated many changes. We moved to a new office in Ventura, took on multiple disaster response and recovery efforts, developed a program to house the homeless in our community, and now we’re helping our neighbors through the pandemic.

Through it all, we’ve remained remarkably resilient. But the source of our resilience is people like you, who care so deeply about your fellow community members. Your generosity and caring inspire us throughout the year.

It’s truly an honor to lead this incredible team, to serve those in need, and to help improve the conditions for all in community. We strive to lead with compassion and unity, rather than division. It’s the United Way.

United Way of Ventura County — Give today for a tomorrow where everyone can thrive!

We’re building a better tomorrow for everyone. Start today United with a gift for health, for education, for strong incomes, for safe homes. Today, on GivingTuesday, will you join us?

Your donation today matters. Everyone should have the chance to rebuild the parts of their life lost because of COVID-19 and other crises. Let’s act together today on GivingTuesday and every day! Be heroic!

United Way of Ventura County — United in our Thanks

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. At the UW office, we have an annual tradition of sharing our favorite pies with each other–and this afternoon, we’ll be sitting down to once again renew this tradition in person. Like many, our celebrations last year took place over Zoom. This year, I’m truly grateful that we are able to spend more time together, not only working in the office, but for special occasions like our Thanksgiving pie tradition and our Disney-themed Halloween party. 

United Way of Ventura County makes significant progress to end local veteran homelessness

As we look ahead toward honoring Veterans Day, United Way of Ventura County continues to prioritize providing critical support to veterans in the Ventura County community through its Landlord Engagement Program (LEP) and rapid response efforts throughout the pandemic and beyond.

When COVID-19 first impacted the Ventura community in 2020, United Way of Ventura County mobilized immediately to secure temporary shelter and daily meals for local veterans and have helped a total of 48 veterans and 26 family members. Additionally, the nonprofit provided more than 3,000 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits, which were distributed by the Ventura County Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine Team.

United Way of Ventura County — Nomadland author announced as keynote speaker

We’re excited to announce that the keynote speaker for our 2nd annual homelessness symposium will be Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland—the book that is the basis for the Oscar-winning film. Please save the date for Friday, February 4, 2022 for this important virtual event.

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is just around the corner, but thanks to your continued generosity, your United Way has been able to navigate this incredibly challenging year. Because of your generosity, our programs have continued to serve those in need. Because of your generosity, our homelessness initiative has exceeded expectations since its launch almost two years ago—supporting individuals, families, seniors, and veterans. Our housing successes include: a veteran undergoing chemotherapy, a single mother seven months pregnant, a senior about to celebrate his birthday after spending the last several birthdays without a home, a mother one month away from reunification with her young son, and a family of six living in a car for months with a medically compromised child.

United Way of Ventura County welcomes new team members to support United to End Homelessness Ventura County initiative

United Way of Ventura County has hired two new team members to support its United to End Homelessness Ventura County initiative. Carie Bristow is now serving as housing navigation and retention case manager for the nonprofit, and Stefany Gonzalez has joined the team as housing navigator.

United Way of Ventura County — Pumpkin Spice United Way

Fall officially begins next week and it’s hard to believe that 2022 is just around the corner. Like many businesses, institutions, and nonprofits, we’ve been challenged by the ever-changing ebb and flow of the pandemic, which has frequently disrupted our operations and has forced us to move forward amidst great uncertainty. But thanks to your continued generosity, your United Way has been able to navigate these storms. Because of your generosity, our programs have continued to serve those in need. Because of your generosity, our homelessness initiative has exceeded expectations since its launch almost two years ago.

We recognize that we will continue to face adversity and uncertainty in the months ahead, but together, united, we will continue to serve our community and change lives.

United Way of Ventura County — Come celebrate 8 amazing women with us and more news

This Thursday evening, we will host our first in-person event in almost two years.

We will be celebrating the educational achievements of eight outstanding women at our annual Women United Education Awards. Please join us at the Camarillo Ranch for this special occasion.

It will be an inspirational evening full of passionate educators, students, and community partners.

As always, the health and safety of our guests is vitally important to us. We will be following and enforcing public health mandates at this event.

Limited tickets are still available.