September 2021 E-Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
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.
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In service,
Eric Harrison
President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County
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Advocate.
You can make change happen with your voice. United Way needs people who are passionate about education, income, and health to make some noise. To stay informed, visit vcunitedway.org/advocate. To become involved in our advocacy work, email info@vcunitedway.org
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United Way of VC Employee of the Quarter:
Maya Naylor
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Maya Naylor has been selected by her peers as United Way of Ventura County’s Employee of the Quarter. As senior accountant, Maya oversees United Way’s financial management functions and other special projects. Maya has been with United Way since 2017 and is a joy to work with. In addition to our Community Impact work, she is extremely proud of the 2021 Stuff the Bus school supply drive because we were able to provide more than 1,700 new backpacks full of supplies for local students experiencing homelessness.
Maya served as a volunteer for United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program as a student at California Lutheran University. Maya shares, “I wanted to find a way to give back to the community and also gain income tax preparation experience. The VITA program was the perfect opportunity to do both! The experience I gained was invaluable and it was what inspired me to want to use my accounting experience to work for a nonprofit. I am proud to work with amazing people at United Way and am constantly inspired by the power of the Ventura County community’s ability to mobilize and create lasting change.”
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Women United Raises Funds and Inspires Single Mothers to Reach Their Goals
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Congratulations to eight amazing women!
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Summer Owens, Keynote Speaker, and Women United 2021 Education Award Recipients. Photo credit: Darryl L. Sampson
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More than 100 people gathered at the historic Camarillo Ranch on Thursday, August 19th for the Women United 2021 Education Awards, featuring author and entrepreneur Summer Owens.
Ms. Owens’ dynamic and moving keynote presentation focused on how she decided to use her life’s challenges to help others overcome their obstacles and eliminate the excuses that prevent people from achieving success no matter what challenge they may face. All guests in attendance received a signed copy of her book, Life After Birth: A Memoir of Survival and Success as a Teenage Mother.
This year, eight local single mothers received Women United Education Awards, which included $1,000 in financial support that will be used to offset any costs associated with efforts to attain higher education.
“From all of us at United Way of Ventura County and the team at Women United, congratulations to this year’s education award recipients,” said United Way of Ventura County CEO Eric Harrison. “In the midst of a global pandemic, your perseverance, work ethic, accomplishments, and desire to succeed and build a stronger future for yourselves and your families is inspiring to us all.”
Thank you to our presenting sponsors: Sage Publishing and Union Bank. A special thank you to our major supporters: County of Ventura, Premier America Credit Union, SoCalGas, Laura McAvoy and Sol Choolijian, CBC Federal Credit Union, JPMorgan Chase, Adventist Health Simi Valley, Gold Coast Health Plan, and Ventura County Community College District.
To learn more about joining a diverse group of leaders who are engaged in philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy, contact Mitchel Sloan at mitchel.sloan@vcunitedway.org.
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CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
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Qualifying renters and landlords are eligible for 100% of rent and utilities owed.
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Income-eligible renters and their landlords impacted by COVID-19 are eligible to receive 100% of unpaid or future rent. Additionally, CA COVID-19 Rent Relief applicants who were previously paid at a lower amount dating back to April 1, 2020 will also be compensated the difference to receive 100% coverage – no need to reapply!
Visit HousingIsKey.com, call 833.430.2122, or by text “RENT” to 211-211 to apply. If you’ve already applied to the program, log in to the application portal to check your status.
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United Way’s Building Healthy Smiles Initiative partnered with Ventura County Public Health and Westminster Free Clinic to provide an oral health assessment event at the clinic’s Thousand Oaks location on August 11 and at the Oxnard location on August 17.
At the two-day event, 307 children were screened with 290 receiving a fluoride varnish application. Oral health education was provided by Colgate at the Thousand Oaks event and by Ventura County CHDP at the Oxnard event. The children also received an oral health kit provided by Colgate.
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Dr. Mark Lisagor talks with a student at the recent Building Healthy Smiles oral health assessment event while Xander Rockney-Finger is recording the assessment results.
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Dr. Marie Buell, Oxnard Dentist performs a dental health assessment on an elementary school student.
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Mentors Needed for Women United Education Award Recipients
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Women United is seeking potential mentors in professional positions who would like to guide a single mom college student in reaching her career goals. This year, eight new recipients of the Women United Education Award are looking to work with a mentor who will guide, encourage, and support them in their professional journey. The career goals of the students looking to be matched are in the following fields:
- Accounting & Finance
- College Counseling
- Business Administration
- Healthcare Administration
- Dentistry
- Law
Serving as a mentor is a unique and rewarding experience. Your leadership skills will be enhanced and the guidance you provide will positively impact the life of a single mother pursuing her higher education and career goals. This opportunity will provide a valuable experience for both the mentor and mentee.
Proficiency in the listed fields is not a requirement to serve as a mentor. Anyone who has professional experience in a business environment and is willing to share their knowledge with a mentee is encouraged to become a mentor.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Now Recruiting Volunteers for Tax Season
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VITA Volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low-wage earners.
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Join a team of dedicated volunteers who prepare and file state and federal income tax returns for low-wage earners, helping them access the tax credits for which they are eligible. Tax preparation sites will be available at multiple locations across Ventura County with varying days and hours of operation. There will also be an opportunity to prepare returns virtually.
Prior experience is not required as training is provided and volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are pursuing a career in accounting or business to gain job experience. Volunteers are assigned to a VITA program site for the 11-week duration of the 2021-22 tax season.
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National Voter Registration Day 2021 is Coming Soon!
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Let’s get every American Registered and #VoteReady.
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September 28 is National Voter Registration Day, a day to celebrate our country’s democracy and help register every eligible American to vote! Make sure you and your friends and family are registered to vote. Help the community you serve get #VoteReady on #NationalVoterRegistrationDay by enlisting your university, library, nonprofit, government agency, or business to organize a voter registration drive in person or online.
To register, update your voter registration, check your registration status, view the voter information guide, find your polling place, and much more, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections.
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LIVE United! Volunteer and Make
a Difference Today!
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Interested in volunteering and making a difference in the community? United Way’s Volunteer Ventura County (VVC) center is a great resource to connect with volunteer opportunities. VVC partners with more than 250 community organizations in Ventura County that post their needs for folks to view and respond to. There are a variety of causes and opportunities to connect with – from helping with COVID-19 rapid response and recovery, to youth, veterans, families, homelessness, events, and more!
Current featured volunteer opportunities include:
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TEXT TO GIVE!
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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