Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well despite the challenging and uncertain times that we face. In our office, July marks the beginning of a new fiscal year. With the new year upon us, we are focused on the ways we can make our community better together. The generosity and responsiveness of our donors, volunteers, and community partners since the start of the pandemic has been inspiring and gives us hope for this year.
There are so many ways for you to help our fellow community members, including helping us spread the word about the resources available to those in need. Read through the rest of this newsletter to see some of the other opportunities to engage and support your neighbors.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
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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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Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
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Provide essential school supplies for local students who are from disadvantaged families or experiencing homelessness.
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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 1,500 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.
Thank you to our generous 2020 Stuff the Bus major supporters: Bank of America, Haas Foundation, CBC Federal Credit Union, Ventura County Office of Education, and Meathead Movers.
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Volunteer Ventura County COVID-19 Rapid Response & Recovery Volunteers Needed
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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
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Earn It! Keep It! Save It! VITA Program Update
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sites remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VITA program will continue to prepare tax returns after the filing deadline of July 15, 2020 through September 15, 2020, for taxpayers with earned income of less than $56,000. Late penalties will still apply after the July 15, 2020 deadline for any balances owed to the IRS or State Franchise Tax Board.
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. 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.
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United Way Launches Kinship Care
Web Resource
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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.
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United Way Spirit Awards & 75th Anniversary Gala Save-the-Date!
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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.
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.
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