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.”

John is just one of 202 individuals who now have a safe place to call home (including 54 children, 39 seniors, and 46 veterans) since our Landlord Engagement Program’s inception in December 2019. And our housing program is just one of our many initiatives. Here is a snapshot of what we have been able to accomplish recently.

AND

We are proud of our collective impact, and there is so much more to do. We cannot do it alone. The caring power of the community is essential to all our success.

Uniting together in 2022, we’re making a real difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors in need.

Thank you for all that you do for our community,

Tickets on Sale Now!

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 2022 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients to 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 1 – April 30, 2023. Volunteers work in teams led by an experienced tax preparer.

No experience is necessary and classroom and online training is provided to assist in successfully completing the IRS certification. A two-session training course (in-person & virtual) will be offered on November 12 & 19, 2022 at Moorpark College.

In 2022, VITA volunteers completed more than 1,300 tax returns representing over $1.9 million in refunds infused into the Ventura County economy, including over $585,000 in the Earned Income Tax Credit. With your help, we can serve even more Ventura County residents in 2023!

Please check out our volunteer opportunities and consider joining our VITA team.

To learn more or to register as a volunteer VITA tax preparer, visit volunteerventuracounty.org/need/detail/?need_id=372430

To learn more or register as a VITA interview/intake volunteer, visit

Do you have a housing unit to lease in the near or immediate future? We are seeking studios to 3+ bedrooms. Our goal is to engage our community in ensuring that everyone has a place to call home. United Way will provide financial and supportive services to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial housing process.

Join the effort and receive a leasing bonus of up to two times the rent charged for the unit! This incentive is available for landlords and is separate from any costs incurred by program participants.

For more information or to learn more about the Landlord Engagement Program, contact Carie Bristow at carie.bristow@vcunitedway.org or 805.485.6288 x235

Women United is seeking potential mentors in professional positions who would like to guide a single mother college student and help her reach her career goals. This year, nine 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:

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. We ask that a mentor meet with their mentee for 2-3 sessions during the semester in person or via Zoom.

To learn more, contact Leslie Osuna at leslie.osuna@vcunitedway.org or 805.485.6288, ext. 224.

United Way’s Building Healthy Smiles initiative partnered with Ventura County Public Health, Colgate, and local volunteer dentists to provide oral health education, screenings, and fluoride varnish application to more than 230 school-aged children at Westminster Free Clinic’s Thousand Oaks site on August 9 and at the Oxnard site on August 16. The children also received an oral health kit provided by Colgate.

To learn more about Building Healthy Smiles, visit vcunitedway.org/building-healthy-smiles or contact Susan Englund at susan.englund@vcunitedway.org.

Dr. Mark Schultz, Dr. Marie Buell, and Dr. Mark Lisagor perform a dental health assessment on an elementary school student at a recent Building Healthy Smiles oral health assessment event.

Nina Trujillo and David Saavedra with the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures team, Susan Englund, Vice President, Community Impact and Mitchel Sloan, President & CEO at the recent Building Healthy Smiles oral health assessment event in Oxnard.

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 youth, families, homelessness, events, and more!

To learn more and register, visit volunteerventuracounty.org or contact Susan Englund for more information at susan.englund@vcunitedway.org.

United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program is creating Welcome Home Baskets for our neighbors recently housed. We want to welcome them and get them started in their new homes. Please help support our community and complete a basket to welcome our newly housed neighbors! These kits will provide essential household supplies for folks to make it a home of their own.

Baskets can include items in the following categories:

We ask that if any food items are packaged in your baskets, they are store-bought and have not been opened. All basket items should be new.

Once you have collected your items and assembled your basket, please contact Susan Englund at susan.englund@vcunitedway.org to arrange for drop-off at the United Way of Ventura County office.

To make an online donation, visit igfn.us/form/hEGFmg.