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. We encourage all our non-profit partners to join us in putting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront of strategic planning.
In a few weeks, we will conclude our fiscal year here at UW Ventura County. It’s been one of the most difficult in our 75-year history, but I’ve been continually reminded how resilient our staff, donors, and community partners are. Together, we’ve risen to the challenge and have continued to improve lives by inspiring and mobilizing the caring power and resources of our community. Thanks to you, we’ve been serving our community for 75 years and we will continue to be here for those who need us most.
Since early March, when COVID-19 started changing our daily lives, we’ve helped 10 households secure permanent housing throughour Landlord Engagement Program. Additionally, we’ve helped 22 veterans and family members by securing temporary housing in a motel and by providing 24-hour meal packs. Recently, we partnered with the Salvation Army’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families program to provide rental assistance after this month, as United Way seeks permanent housing solutions for those veterans and their families. Finally, we are proud to share that we reached our goal of 2,000 Rapid Response Homeless Care Kits, which were distributed by the County’s Healthcare for the Homeless Backpack Medicine team. Many thanks to everyone who participated!
|
In service,
Eric Harrison
President & CEO
United Way of Ventura County
|
|
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.
|
|
|
11th Annual Stuff the Bus Supply Drive
|
|
Provide essential school supplies for local students who are from disadvantaged families or experiencing homelessness.
|
|
Join United Way of Ventura County’s 2020 Stuff the Bus School Supply campaign, which provides essential school supplies to local students in need. Please join us in our effort to provide 1,100 full backpacks this year!
Your support not only provides essential school supplies, but also promotes learning, building self-esteem, and ensuring that our youth begin the school year ready to learn! Due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that the need for support among disadvantaged and homeless families has increased greatly. So your help is needed this year more than ever.
|
|
Volunteer Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response Volunteers Needed
|
|
As a rapid response to the needs of the community during the COVID-19 outbreak, United Way’s Volunteer Ventura County (VVC) center is actively mobilizing volunteers in support of our community partners and neighbors in need. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the VVC center has placed hundreds of volunteers providing vital support and service to our amazing community partners.
To learn about immediate COVID-19 Rapid Response Volunteer needs, visit
|
|
United Way Launches Kinship Care
Web Resource
|
|
United Ways of California, the state network of California United Ways (including United Way of Ventura County), and the California Department of Social Services has rolled out a new website: KinshipCareCA.org. The site is a free, one-stop navigator to meet the immediate needs of kinship caregivers and foster parents, helping them locate nearby resources, access benefits, and/or receive general support via an online search feature and a dedicated team of highly-trained call specialists. The website aims to increase the capacity of kinship caregivers to provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children in their care. Kinship caregivers open their hearts and homes to a relative’s child. Approximately one-third of California’s formal child welfare system (59,156 children) are living with extended family members or other relatives. However, this is not the whole story. Records show that in California there are over 285,000 children being raised by relatives outside the child welfare system. Studies have shown that kinship care can lead to better emotional health, fewer placements, and better outcomes. Offering kinship navigation tools makes for stronger families all-around.
Call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached by calling 2-1-1 or texting KINSHIP to 211.
|
|
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! VITA Program Update
|
|
Due to the recent developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, all free tax prep appointments are postponed until further notice. Of particular importance to us is to protect those individuals most vulnerable and limit the spread of the virus. We can ensure community health and safety by helping to flatten the curve of exposure while adhering to the social distancing requirements.
Please note that both the federal and state deadline to pay and file has been extended to July 15, 2020.
One option for those with a simple return, (for example, single filer with up to two W-2s) is to complete your tax filing online at myfreetaxes.org/online. Our hope is that conditions will change allowing us to again prepare and file tax returns.
We are committed to ensuring eligible workers in California are able to file a tax return and get the refund they’ve earned free of charge. However, we also want to make sure we’re protecting the health and safety of the communities where we work.
Thank you for your understanding during this unprecedented tax season. Please stay safe and healthy.
|
|
AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project 2020-2021
|
|
UWVC is now recruiting participating sites and VIP Fellows for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) 2020-2021. This will be the 5th year United Way has served as a regional coordinator. To date, we’ve placed 19 VIP Fellows in 12 community organizations throughout Ventura County.
AmeriCorps VIP places a national service member at local non-profits for 11 months (September 2020 – July 2021). The objective is to build and enhance the organization’s ability to leverage volunteers in their service delivery or operations.
To learn more about being a VIP fellow or participating site, please contact Lora Kline at 805.485.6288 x231 or lora.kline@vcunitedway.org.
|
|
United Way Spirit Awards & 75th Anniversary Gala Save-the-Date!
|
|
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.
SPREAD THE WORD!
Forward this e-newsletter
You can LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this newsletter to five people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
?
?
?