President’s Message
Click here for the entire January 2016 E-newsletter
Dear Friends,
I returned from serving in the Peace Corps as a teacher in the 5th poorest country in the world just two weeks prior to 9/11. What was so moving to me was how proud I was to be an American in the days following–to be living in a country that rallied instantly to support all those affected by the tragedy and lend a hand in any way possible. It was at that moment that I decided to shift my focus from helping those internationally to helping those in my own backyard. Later that year, I started as an intern at Greater Twin Cities United Way and learned how United Way addresses local need and mobilizes local communities like no other.
Within our communities–the paved roads, the nice cars, and the large homes–there are Americans who struggle daily. Today it is my mission, and OUR mission, to champion the underserved in our community. We do this for the frightened little boy left alone for three days without his mother. He called 2-1-1 when he didn’t know what else do to. And he was helped because you, Ventura County, supported 2-1-1 from the very beginning.
Did you know that dental disease is the most common chronic illness and unmet need of children in California?Sadly, our state ranks 47th in good oral health due to a significant gap in children having access to a dental home. Locally, we have more than 53,000 kids enrolled in Denti-Cal and only 86 dentists who accept it. That amounts to one dentist for every 617 kids. As a result, there are more than 200 unnecessary visits to emergency rooms and an estimated million dollars of hospital bills that could have been prevented if these children had a dental home. In addition, parents are missing work and schools are losing money due to absenteeism. Imagine if together, united, we closed that gap. Wouldn’t that be something for us all to smile about?
In addition to our focus on Health, our focus on Income through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has infused over $2.8 million in tax refunds and added income to our local economy. Within our focus on Education, we’re working with volunteers and corporations throughout the county to increase the number of students who are college and career-ready through initiatives and programs like Stuff the Bus Day of Action, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program and our ongoing literacy volunteer engagement program Books Bonanza.
Together, united, we can change lives in Ventura County as we welcome 2016 in a very real way. Join hands, open your heart, lend your muscle and find your voice. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.
Very truly yours,
Eric Harrison
President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County