Tag: United Way of Ventura County

United Way of Ventura County — United We Can End Homelessness

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This Friday, we have a wonderful speaker for you to hear at our first annual United to End Homelessness Symposium. I will have the honor of interviewing author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Dr. Matthew Desmond. His book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, was named one of Time’s Best Nonfiction Books of the Decade. It was also hailed by Bill Gates: “Desmond has written a brilliant portrait of Americans living in poverty. He gave me a better sense of what it is like to be poor in this country than anything else I have read.”

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

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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).

Through April 30, 2021, 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 2020 are eligible to use the free services.

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United Way of Ventura County — United for International Women’s Day

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Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In honor of this day, we’d like to honor the matriarch of United Way, Frances Wisebart Jacobs.

In 1887, Jacobs and other Denver faith-based community leaders put together an idea that became the nation’s first united campaign, benefitting 10 local health and welfare agencies. These leaders created an organization to collect the funds for local charities, to coordinate relief services, to counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and to make emergency assistance grants for cases that could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 for this greater good and created a movement that would become United Way. 

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United Way of Ventura County — ‘Giving our children the smiles they deserve’ and more news

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February is National Children’s Dental Health month. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease and unmet need of children in California. More than 50% of California’s kindergartners have a history of dental decay. Nearly 25% of California’s children, ages 0-11, have never been to a dentist. When children don’t get the care they need, there are costs to taxpayers and families – the cost of emergency room visits for preventable dental problems and missed school days resulting in a loss of attendance-based school district funding.

Through the Building Healthy Smiles Initiative, United Way and its partners work to reduce dental disease in Ventura County through education, care coordination, and advocacy. Our goal is to eliminate untreated tooth decay for children in Ventura County. Pre-pandemic, over 2,500 children received oral health assessments in 2019 alone.

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

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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, 2021, 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 2020 are eligible to use the free services.

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Procter & Gamble Provides a Record $200,000 to United Way’s Community Impact Efforts

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Procter & Gamble local employees raised a record $162,000 from employee giving in addition to over $38,000 in special events, sponsorship and COVID-19 Rapid Response. In addition to giving, P&G employees volunteered their time by packing more than 1,560 Stuff the Bus backpacks and provided Welcome Home Holiday Baskets for families recently 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 Marvelle Berry, Plant Manger of Procter & Gamble Oxnard. “Our team really rose to the occasion with their engagement, innovation, and genorosity of gifts. P&G has a longstanding commitment in creating positive change locally in Ventura County and I am pleased with our collective impact.”

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United Way of Ventura County — United We Serve

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Monday, January 18 will mark the 26th national MLK Day of Service. This holiday, honoring the service of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is the only federal designated national day of service – “a day on, not a day off.”

While volunteering in the traditional ways might not be possible right now, I encourage you to consider a virtual volunteer opportunity to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. You can explore numerous virtual volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer Ventura County website.

Although 2021 hasn’t begun in the ways we might have hoped or expected, I continue to be inspired by the resolve of our staff and volunteers to make our community a better place. Despite the tumult around us, we continue to show up to help those who need us most. 

This Monday, I encourage you to reflect on the astute words of Dr. King Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question, What are you doing for others?”

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April 9 — Matthew Desmond, ‘Evicted’ author, to offer keynote address at homelessness symposium

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United Way of Ventura County is excited to announce its United to End Homelessness Virtual Symposium on Friday, April 9, at 9 a.m. PST. The symposium will feature Matthew Desmond, author of Pulitzer Prize winning bestseller “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” as its keynote speaker. Following Desmond’s address, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A session with the author, which will then lead into a panel discussion with local experts — moderated by Henry Dubroff, editor of the Pacific Coast Business Times — on addressing homelessness.

The two-hour, virtual, one-time live event is one of many efforts United Way of Ventura County will be launching to continue bringing awareness to its United to End Homelessness initiative, honor its mission “to mobilize and inspire the caring power and resources of our community,” and address the shelter crisis in Ventura County.

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United Way of Ventura County earns Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating

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We’re proud to share that our organization has earned Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating for the second consecutive year. This is the highest possible rating for demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Your continued support helps sustain our vital collective impact initiatives that support Education, Income, Health and housing unsheltered individuals and families.

Before the stroke of midnight, please donate and know that you have made a significant difference in our community by helping our families, friends and most vulnerable neighbors in need. Working together, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all in 2021 and beyond. Live heroic and give generously today.

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United Way of Ventura County — United Now & In the New Year

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December is my favorite month of the year: lights twinkling on houses, a slight chill in the air, and the holiday cheer of neighbors and strangers wishing each other well. While this year’s holiday season looks much different, I’m touched by the generosity of our community and the dedication of our nonprofit partners who find a way to provide their vital services despite the restrictions.

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United Way of Ventura County — We’re thankful for you!

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December 1 will mark my 6th year serving as President and CEO of United Way of Ventura County. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary this year, I recognize my six years are only a moment in this organization’s rich history. The true legacy of our organization lives in the leaders and volunteers like you who have stood with us for decades.

I couldn’t be prouder of the courage and results our volunteers, staff, and community have delivered over the past six years. Here are just a few of the highlights:

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United Way to Honor Community Champions at 16th Annual Virtual Spirit Awards Gala & 75th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 12

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United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) will present awards in volunteerism, corporate citizenship, and community impact at the 16th Annual Virtual Spirit Awards Gala and 75th Anniversary Celebration November 12, celebrating community champions that embody the spirit of United Way in advancing the common good in Ventura County.

The virtual gala will be streamed via YouTube Live on Thursday, November 12, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit United Way Community Impact programs.

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United Way of Ventura County — October Surprise

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Dear Friends,

October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler air, the festive spirit of neighbors decorating for Halloween, and knowing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. While this fall looks far different than most, our community’s resilience and generosity is stronger than ever.

This October, I’m excited to announce that the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant for our homelessness initiative, which will support our Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and subsidies to prevent and, ultimately end, homelessness. We are grateful to the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation for this generous challenge grant and look forward to all those who will join us in helping end homelessness in Ventura County.

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Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation Provides $40,000 Challenge Grant to United Way’s Homelessness Efforts

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The Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation (VCMRF) has presented a $40,000 challenge grant to United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners to prevent and end homelessness.

The grant will provide the activation for a funding mechanism designed to generate permanent supportive housing for chronic homeless individuals through a streamlined, one-stop funding collaborative comprised of public and private funders dedicated to ending homelessness.

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United Way of Ventura County — United We Serve

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This week, three AmeriCorps VIP Fellows will be sworn in to serve United Way and our partner sites. Partner sites for the upcoming year include the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and Westminster Free Clinic, a brand new site. These VIP Fellows are part of a cohort serving sites across 17 California counties. United Way of Ventura County has served as the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in our county since 2016.

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United Way of Ventura County — United to Help Homeless Veterans (COVID-19 Update)

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We hope this finds you well and you have a moment to read about the inspiring work of our team and partners. As a result of the generosity of community members like you, we’ve been able to temporarily house and provide daily meals for 44 veterans and 17 family members in local motels since April. We’ve also transitioned six of these veteran households to permanent housing and a total of 30 households have been permanently housed since our Landlord Engagement Program launched nine months ago. 

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United Way of Ventura County — This is the last week for our Stuff the Bus school supply drive!

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We need 95 more backpacks to reach our goal!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families.

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. 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.

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United Way Achieves Amgen Foundation Challenge Grant to Support Homelessness Efforts

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United Way of Ventura County has successfully met the Amgen Foundation $100,000 challenge grant to launch a Landlord Engagement Program thanks to the generosity of six founding local funders. The goal of the program is to increase housing stock and utilize existing housing vouchers and housing subsidies provided by local jurisdictions and community partners to prevent and end homelessness. The challenge grant provided the foundation for a new funding mechanism designed to generate permanent supportive housing for chronic homeless individuals through a streamlined, one-stop funding collaborative comprised of public and private funders dedicated to ending homelessness.

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United Way of Ventura County’s Stuff The Bus Campaign — Day of Action

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Sunday, June 21st is United Way’s Day of Action!

You can participate by joining
United Way of Ventura County’s
2020 Stuff the Bus campaign!

Provide essential school supplies for local students experiencing homelessness or from disadvantaged families. 

You can help pave the path to academic success for a child from a homeless or low-income family. 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. 

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United Way of Ventura County — Our diversity, equity, and inclusion values

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Dear Friends,

These are challenging times for our community and country. But the challenges we’re facing also provide us with a tremendous opportunity for growth and progress. At United Way of Ventura County, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is not only the right thing to do, it is necessary to our success. To learn more about our diversity, equity, and inclusion values and commitments, please read our statement, linked here and available on our website.

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United Way of Ventura County — This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive!

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United Way of Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits Drive This is the last week for our Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits drive! We need 132 more care kits to reach our goal! Join United Way of Ventura…

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How your United Way of Ventura County is responding to COVID-19

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Over the past few months, COVID-19 has reshaped our lives and priorities in powerful ways. Here at your United Way, we’ve been collaborating with our community partners and adapting how we provide services so that we can better respond to the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

In this moment of unprecedented uncertainty, we are incredibly thankful for our community partners, donors, and volunteers. They’ve stepped up to provide vital resources for our neighbors and friends who need it the most right now.

To learn more about how your local United Way is responding during this global pandemic, please take a moment to view my recent interview with OVTV.

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UWVC’s United to End Homelessness COVID-19 Rapid Response

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UWVC’s United to End Homelessness COVID-19 Rapid Response VENTURA —  As a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) has mobilized to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness. In consultation and partnership with the County Executive…

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

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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.

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United Way of Ventura County Rapid Response Kits

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United Way of Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits Join United Way of Ventura County’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits campaign, which aims to provide essential hygiene supplies for our unsheltered veterans and individuals. These vital kits…

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United Way of Ventura County Mobilizing 2-1-1 Volunteer Corps

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United Way of Ventura County Mobilizing 2-1-1 Volunteer Corps In Response to COVID-19 Pandemic As the nation responds to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC) is actively recruiting community members for the 2-1-1 Volunteer Corps. Community…

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Feb. 1 — United Way of Ventura County’s 4th Annual GradNation Community Summit

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United Way Will Gather Parents, Students, Educators, & Community Members to Explore Efforts to Raise Graduation Rates Through Parent Engagement VENTURA — United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) GradNation Summit held annually in South Oxnard is designed to prepare parents and…

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POSTPONED — May 8 — Women United Luncheon – Power of the Purse

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UPDATE: Dear United Way of Ventura County Supporters –

Due to the recent developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Women United Luncheon scheduled for May 8, 2020 has been postponed. We look forward to updating you on future plans soon.

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

For support and more information on COVID-19, please visit http://211.org/services/covid19

If you have time to volunteer, the UWVC is actively recruiting community members for the 2-1-1 Volunteer Corps. To sign up or learn more, visit www.volunteerventuracounty.org

To make a donation, visit https://vcunitedway.org/donate/

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Nov. 14 — United Way of Ventura County — Join Us for Virtual HomeWalk 2020

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We invite you to join United Way of Ventura County’s team for Virtual HomeWalk 2020!

The virtual event will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2020. You can spend the day doing your own 5K run/walk/ride, share photos and videos using the #HomeWalkAtHome, then come back at 5 p.m. for the virtual program that includes live entertainment with the Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders, players, Coach Sean McVay and much more. This is a fun opportunity to engage friends and family who are near and far!

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United Way of Ventura County — You Can Make a World of Difference on GivingTuesday (Dec. 3)

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In a week, you’ll have the chance to be part of something that’s bigger than yourself. GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity fueled by social media and collective giving. Its impact is felt in Ventura County and in every…

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United Way of Ventura County — Discover Your Superpowers on GivingTuesday

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If you’ve never participated in GivingTuesday, this is your year to discover your superpowers and earn your cape. GivingTuesday is an international movement that harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the world to support the causes they believe…

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United Way of Ventura County — A Day of Caring (Sept. 28) & a Lifetime of Inspiration

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message  Dear Friends, Next week, on Saturday, September 28, we celebrate our 30th Annual Day of Caring. Volunteers from across the community  will spend a selfless Saturday morning helping others. It’s one of my…

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United Way to Honor Dorcas H. Thille with Lifetime Achievement Award at 15th Annual Spirit Awards Gala

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Dorcas H. Thille will receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the August 24 Gala to benefit United Way programs. VENTURA – United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) will honor Dorcas H. Thille with its Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual…

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United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Luncheon Raises Funds and Inspires Single Mothers to Reach their Goals

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VENTURA COUNTY — Nearly 300 people gathered on campus at Cal Lutheran University Friday, May 10th for United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Women United 3rd Annual Luncheon, featuring acclaimed social psychologist and author Dr. Aida Hurtado. Dr. Aida Hurtado’s…

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United Way of Ventura County update for Feb. 7 — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter   President’s Message  Dear Friends, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and United Way is proud to advocate for increased services on behalf of the 100,000 children in Ventura County who qualify for…

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United Way of Ventura County update for Oct. 4

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter   President’s Message  Dear Friends, Fall is here and it’s a very busy time at United Way. We recently wrapped up our 29th annual Day of Caring with over 600 volunteers using their muscles to assist…

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United Way of Ventura County update for Aug. 23

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message  Dear Friends, In just three weeks, we’ll be celebrating our 14th Annual Spirit Awards at the Serra Padre Center in Camarillo. This will be a special evening recognizing the community and foundation…

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United Way of Ventura County update for June 4

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter   President’s Message  Dear Friends, For the first several months of 2018, almost all of Gareth Williams’ meals came from just a crockpot and toaster oven. Since early December, he had been living out…

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United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund Receives $200,000 from Jack Johnson Benefit Concert

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CENTRAL COAST — The Jack Johnson and Friends, a Benefit for the Community, concert has raised $200,000 for the United Way Thomas and Fire Flood Fund, with 100 percent of the donations going to support those in communities affected by the…

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United Way of Ventura County update for April 19

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter President’s Message  Dear Friends, I wanted to share with you a story of one of the many people who have received hardship assistance from the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund. Erik’s story…

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United Way of Ventura County update for Feb. 20

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter   President’s Message  Dear Friends, Thanks to the generosity of over 13,000 donors to the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund, we are  helping our community members who have been directly affected by…

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United Way to Distribute $1.5M to Assist Disaster Victims through April; Victim Applications Open

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CENTRAL COAST — Disaster victims can apply for the next phase of relief funding through the United Way Thomas Fire and Flood Fund, which has grown to more than $3.7 million. Through April 30, United Way of Ventura County (UWVC)…

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United Way of Ventura County — A Personal Message from One Family Recovering from The Thomas Fire

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Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Dear Friend of United Way,   You may not know me or my family, but we now know your compassion generosity, and we appreciate you more than you can possibly know. Last week, I took…

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United Way Thomas Fire Fund Gets Foundation, Corporate and Individual Support from Across the Country and Locally—$2.25 Million to Date

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CENTRAL COAST — In response to an outpouring of support, United Way of Santa Barbara County and United Way of Ventura County have established a joint fund to directly support those individuals and families affected by the fire in both…

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