December 2020 E-Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
December is my favorite month of the year: lights twinkling on houses, a slight chill in the air, and the holiday cheer of neighbors and strangers wishing each other well. While this year’s holiday season looks much different, I’m touched by the generosity of our community and the dedication of our nonprofit partners who find a way to provide their vital services despite the restrictions.
I’m also inspired by the many stories of hope we’ve received from the homeless families we’ve been able to assist. One story that sticks with me involved a 76-year-old Veteran and his adult disabled son, who he supports as a caretaker. They were homeless and had been living in their van for the past few years. In April, they were able to find temporary shelter at Motel 6. As their time at the motel was expiring, we urgently mobilized and helped them find permanent housing. No longer living in their van as in years past, father and son will now welcome the New Year safely in a home of their own.
This is just one of the many lifechanging stories I’ve heard thanks to our United to End Homelessness initiative, which helped 36 households secure permanent housing this year.
2020 has been an incredible challenge, but I’m proud of our resilience as an organization and as a community. The months ahead will not be easy, but together, united, we’ll continue to care for those who need us most.
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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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United to End Homelessness Welcome Home Holiday Baskets
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United Way of Ventura County’s Landlord Engagement Program is creating Welcome Home Holiday Baskets for more than 30 families and individuals recently housed. Join us and complete a basket to provide a special gift of cheer and fun for our newly housed neighbors this holiday season!
Suggested holiday gift basket theme ideas:
- Baking basket (mixing bowl, measuring cups, cookie mix, etc.)
- Spa basket (soap, lotion, loofa, etc.)
- Family fun basket (snacks, games, puzzles, etc.)
We’re requesting holiday baskets delivered to the United Way of Ventura County office by Friday, December 18.
For more information or to learn more about the Landlord Engagement Program, contact program manager Amy Duganne at 805.485.6288, x228 or amy.duganne@vcunitedway.org.
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Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Spring, our Building Healthy Smiles activities have been either canceled or severely limited. Many of the schools we had planned on organizing oral health assessment events with have been closed to in-person teaching.
This fall, working with our partners at Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) and the Ocean View School District, we were able to hold oral health assessment events during several of the schools’ Picture Days. Our volunteer dentists and hygienists provided a brief oral health check and fluoride varnish application outside in the school parking lot. Children were given an oral health kit containing toothbrushes, tooth paste, and oral health information. More than 200 children were screened at two elementary schools and at the district’s Early Childhood Education program.
Although in-person events are limited, Building Healthy Smiles is working closely with VCPH and Ventura County school districts to provide oral health education resources and oral health kits to children through their school lunch programs.
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It’s Open Enrollment Time!
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Open enrollment for Covered CA continues through January 31, 2021. During open enrollment, anyone needing health insurance coverage will be able to apply. Individuals needing coverage beginning on January 1, 2021 must sign up and select a plan by Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
Financial assistance is available to those who qualify based on income and household size. Additional financial assistance to help purchase health insurance is also available for middle-income Californians. California requires that everyone have health insurance or be subject to a penalty on your state income tax return.
Current Covered CA members can renew their coverage and/or make changes to their health plan.
For help with the enrollment or renewal process or if you have questions regarding health coverage options, contact our Covered CA certified enrollment counselor, Catherine Pedrosa at catherine.pedrosa@vcunitedway.org or 805.485.6288, x270. Please note: As a result of social distancing requirements, there are no walk-in appointments available. All appointments will be by phone only.
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Get Involved and Make a Difference Today!
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United Way’s Volunteer Ventura County (VVC) center is a great resource for connecting with volunteer opportunities. VVC partners with more than 250 community organizations in Ventura County that post their needs for folks to view and respond. There are a variety of causes and opportunities to connect with – from helping youth, veterans, families, and even animals!
Current featured volunteer opportunities include:
- Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank: Front Desk Volunteer
- Community Action of Ventura County: Food Distribution
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program: Tax Preparers
- Ventura County Area Agency on Aging: Letter of Support Writer
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Earn It! Keep It! Save It!
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Now seeking VITA Volunteers to provide free tax preparation
for low-income earners
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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 2020 Tax Year. Volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns at no cost, assisting clients access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Due to COVID-19 we will be preparing tax returns virtually and through a drop-off process to eliminate contact with the public. Should conditions improve, we may return to in-person tax preparation at multiple sites across the county.
No experience is necessary and virtual training is available to assist in successfully completing the IRS certification.
Free tax preparation will be available February through April 2021.
Please check out our volunteer opportunities and consider joining our VITA team.
To volunteer as a VITA tax preparer, please visit
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Mentors Needed for Women United Education Award Recipients
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Women United is seeking potential mentors in professional positions who would like to guide a single mom college student in reaching 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 in which leadership skills will be enhanced and guidance 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.
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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!
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