Dear Friends,
We hope this finds you well and you have a moment to read about the inspiring work of our team and partners. As a result of the generosity of community members like you, we’ve been able to temporarily house and provide daily meals for 44 veterans and 17 family members in local motels since April. We’ve also transitioned six of these veteran households to permanent housing and a total of 30 households have been permanently housed since our Landlord Engagement Program launched nine months ago.
Declines in residential rental income as a result of COVID-19 are a crisis that will only increase in the coming months. United Way has a solution for landlords needing guaranteed rental income who are passionate about serving the community. Interested in learning more? Contact our Landlord Engagement Manager, Amy Duganne at amy.duganne@vcunitedway.org.
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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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Campaign exceeds goal by providing 1,560 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for local students who are from disadvantaged families or experiencing homelessness.
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In early August, 30 volunteers filled 1,560 backpacks with essential school supplies for K-12 homeless or disadvantaged students. The backpacks were distributed in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) and school district homeless liaisons to students throughout Ventura County.
Thank you to our generous 2020 Stuff the Bus major supporters: Bank of America, CBC Federal Credit Union, Gene Haas Foundation, Meathead Movers, Ventura County Office of Education, and UPS.
Special appreciation to corporate partners Bank of America and Bayer for hosting virtual team collection drives and Procter & Gamble for providing a volunteer team.
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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!
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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 pandemic, 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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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will continue to prepare tax returns 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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AmeriCorps VIP Fellow Applications for 2020-2021 Now Being Accepted
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As the Supervising Organization for the AmeriCorps Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) in Ventura County, UWVC is responsible for training and placing AmeriCorps members with community organizations throughout Ventura County. A VIP Fellow serves at a local non-profit for 11 months (September – July) with the objective of building and enhancing the organization’s ability to leverage volunteers in their service delivery or operations. VIP Fellows qualify for a living stipend, free health insurance coverage, and an education award upon completion of service. It is a great way to serve our community while developing professional skills and networks.
Applications for 2020-2021 potential AmeriCorps VIP Fellows are currently open until filled!
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United Way Launches Kinship Care
Web Resource
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KinshipCareCA.org recently launched a webinar series for kinship caregivers, foster parents, and service providers. The second webinar in the introductory series will take place Tuesday, August 18 at 9 a.m. and feature author Beth Tyson discussing trauma informed parenting. Beth Tyson is the author of a new children’s book, “A Grandfamily for Sullivan,” about a frightened koala named Sullivan who experiences big emotions when his life turns upside down as he moves in with his grandmother koala when his parents are no longer able to keep him safe.
KinshipCareCA.org 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.
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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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.
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