Dear Friends,
Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In honor of this day, we’d like to honor the matriarch of United Way, Frances Wisebart Jacobs.
In 1887, Jacobs and other Denver faith-based community leaders put together an idea that became the nation’s first united campaign, benefitting 10 local health and welfare agencies. These leaders created an organization to collect the funds for local charities, to coordinate relief services, to counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and to make emergency assistance grants for cases that could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 for this greater good and created a movement that would become United Way.
Jacobs also organized and presided over the Hebrew Ladies’ Benevolent Society, the Denver Ladies’ Relief Society, and established a free kindergarten. Today’s Women United donors are the modern day bearers of Jacob’s legacy, as they are Leading the Charge and Inspiring Change in communities around the world.
In honor of International Women’s Day, please join me in…
- celebrating women’s achievements
- advocating for women’s equality
- and donating and/or volunteering for female-focused programs like Women United
To all the amazing women in Ventura County and around the world, we celebrate you!
|
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
|
|
|
United Way of VC Employee of the Quarter: Amy Duganne
|
|
Amy Duganne has been selected by her peers as United Way of Ventura County’s Employee of the Quarter. As the director of homelessness initiatives, Amy has overseen the successful launch of the Landlord Engagement Program (LEP), part of our United to End Homelessness initiative. To date, Amy and her team have permanently housed 42 households. More families, individuals, seniors, and veterans now now have a permanent place to call home thanks to Amy and her team. In addition to the LEP, Amy is extremely proud of our COVID-19 Rapid Response, which included providing temporary housing and daily meals for 66 veterans in local motels. We were also able to transition six of these veteran households to permanent housing. In addition, we also sent 2,000 homeless care kits through the County of Ventura’s backpack medicine team.
Amy believes that “everyone needs a safe place to call home, and the human success of the LEP can be seen on the faces of those in our Ventura County community who are getting housed. Our housing successes include: a veteran undergoing chemotherapy, a single mother seven months pregnant, a senior about to celebrate his birthday after spending the last several birthdays living in his car, a mother one month away from the court date for reunification with her young son, and a family of six living in a car for months while their son is sustained by a feeding tube. Now more than ever, I believe, united together, we can end homelessness in Ventura County!”
|
|
United to End Homelessness Symposium
|
|
United Way Community Impact Volunteer Spotlight: Dove Bunkin-Thomas, Amgen
|
|
Dove Bunkin-Thomas is a valued member of Amgen’s Global Affairs Department and actively participates in their volunteer engagement projects. As a department, they try to volunteer for a day each year, and Amgen supports employees in providing the time to do so. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their team’s volunteer engagement efforts as they have not been able to hold large department-wide volunteer events. They have adjusted by providing their team with the opportunity to participate in United Way’s smaller, socially-distanced volunteer projects with a few team members at a time. Recently, they assembled dental care kits for Building Healthy Smiles. She notes that corporate volunteering is a very effective team building activity, as it allows for teamwork and conversation. On a personal note, she volunteers because she feels fortunate and wants to help others in our community that need it most.
To learn more about corporate volunteer engagement opportunities, visit
|
|
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
|
|
Free tax preparation and filing services continue through April 30
|
|
Free tax preparation and filing for households earning up to $57,000 in 2020. IRS certified tax preparation volunteers are available to prepare and file your 2020 federal and state tax return. Prior year returns may also be filed.
Due to COVID-19, taxes will only be prepared using either a virtual or drop-off process. There will be no face-to-face appointments with a tax preparation volunteer, as all sites remain closed.
For those who would like to prepare their tax returns on their own, visit www.MyFreeTaxes.org and click on the “On My Own” option. After providing the basic information requested, taxpayers will receive an email from MyFreeTaxes.com with a link and instructions on how to proceed to complete their tax return free of charge. There is no income limit. New this year, eligible workers with an ITIN and income under $30,000 may now claim the CalEITC. Self-employed workers with 1099 forms and cash earnings also qualify.
|
|
LIVE United! Volunteer and Make
a Difference Today!
|
|
Interested in volunteering in 2021? 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, to youth, veterans, families, and more!
Current featured volunteer opportunities include:
|
|
Covered California Open Enrollment Through May 15!
|
|
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a special enrollment period allowing Americans the opportunity to purchase health insurance during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, anyone needing coverage may purchase through Covered California until May 15, 2021. Both federal and state financial assistance to reduce the cost of health insurance is available for eligible consumers.
Please note: As a result of social distancing requirements, there are no walk-in appointments available. All appointments will be by phone only.
|
|
Mentors Needed for Women United Education Award Recipients
|
|
Women United is seeking potential mentors in professional positions who would like to guide a single mom who is pursuing a college education to reach her career goals. This year, five new recipients of the Women United Education Award are looking to work with mentors who will guide, encourage, and support them in their professional journeys. The career goals of the students looking to be matched are in the following fields:
- Accounting and Finance
- College Counseling
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Administration
- 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
?
?
?