United Ways of California

Cody Van Felden's advocacy for foster youth and tax credits is fueled by her own experiences. "I speak for those who can’t or who have not found their voices yet." Read more about her impactful work at https://lnkd.in/eVDBq9hd.

Paul has been a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer with Orange County United Way for six years. This year, Paul thought his son would benefit from volunteering, too. Ben served as a VITA site greeter and helped clients with the intake process. He met a lot of people and got to practice interpersonal and communication skills—valuable for any high school student. “If you’re good with numbers or if you’re good with people, we have all kinds of volunteers. Anyone can be a VITA volunteer.” “Volunteering is exciting, challenging, and really fulfilling.” #VITA #FreeTaxPrep Learn more about their experience helping their community through free tax prep: https://lnkd.in/e2Dyk3NC

Peter Manzo, President and CEO of United Ways of California, urges the Legislature and Governor’s Administration efforts to further support uplifting California households with low incomes in the years ahead. "...no one feels the cut of critical state programs more than California families and households with low incomes. This is why we’ll continue advocating to fully restore funding for Free Tax Preparation Assistance and Outreach & Education programs at $20 million ongoing." "The impact of tax credits and free tax help is life-changing for many and ultimately benefits every community, every local economy, and every Californian." Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eSFMDyZ4

"Foster youth show up in a lot of spaces. They show up heavily in the unhoused population. They show up heavily in a lot of programs. Sometimes, they end up falling through the cracks because there’s nobody speaking up for them or advocating for programs for them. I always tell foster youth to apply for everything—grants, scholarships, tax credits. I tell them, 'You’re not begging. You’re entitled to these programs. They are here for you, and you really need to utilize them or they go away.' My tax work is just another way to help support foster youth. Taxes are an important life skill that people don’t teach us. We don’t learn it in school. So, I teach them. You want to live the best quality life, and tax credits and government programs really help." Hear more from Alexis Obinna, #VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) client, VITA volunteer, and United Ways of California Ambassador, about advocating for #FosterYouth and supporting her community through free tax help: https://lnkd.in/eWGVKk5E

United Ways of California has been using text messaging as an outreach communication platform for about five years. This method has become one of our most reliable ways to get information to clients—especially when it comes to free tax help. Over the years, we have learned a lot, and we believe in sharing those learnings for others who want to use text messaging as a way to support community members. Learn more about best practices we’ve found for text-based outreach: https://lnkd.in/eA5stw_c

Across our Network, United Ways strive to create more inclusive and equitable communities for all. From the various United Ways of California providing housing, healthcare, and financial services in languages that reflect the diverse communities they serve, to the thoughtful leadership of Maui United Way in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires that ensured emergency relief funds were quickly released to those affected.   As we celebrate #AANHPIHeritageMonth and beyond, the work across our Network reminds us how culturally accessible and meaningful outreach can go a long way in making a difference in creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

"United Way of the Wine Country also helped me learn different ways to save money, and I’ve gotten really good at it. I’ve even become part of the United Way family. They have been nothing but great to me and have helped in so many ways beyond just free tax prep." Ivonne Sonato-Vega is a mother of five, a healthcare professional, a United Ways of California Ambassador, a long-time user of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) services, and an avid supporter of United Way of the Wine Country. Ivonne shares more about her family and their experience with VITA here: https://lnkd.in/dWMGbQyK

As we celebrate #AANHPIHeritageMonth, United Ways of California is committed to addressing housing inequities faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. They are working to ensure that affordable housing resources and supports reach those who need them most, fostering a brighter, more equitable future for all Californians. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/e_-NT8rv

As we commemorate #AANHPI Heritage Month, we celebrate individuals like Vivian Pham, a dedicated Vietnamese volunteer serving at the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center - AASCSC in Santa Ana. For nine years, she's been supporting VITA programs. She loves volunteering because the program helps the community, particularly Vietnamese people living in America both permanently and temporarily, both U.S.-born and Vietnam-born. We appreciate the AANHPI staff, volunteers, and community members across our California United Way network. We also appreciate contributions of the greater AANHPI community to our everyday lives. Join us in celebrating the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to our world and workplaces—this month and year-round! #AANHPIMonth https://lnkd.in/eqqzbfFw

April 23 and 24 brought together dozens of representatives from the California United Way network to lift our collective voices for a better, more equitable California. We extend sincere thanks to our speakers and panelists, United Ways of California Public Policy Committee Co-Chairs Keisha Browder and Mari Pérez-Dowling, and the countless legislative staff who took the time to meet with us. We are also grateful to the Capitol Day attendees, our local United Ways, our network’s Regional Advocacy Coordinators, and the hundreds of community members who took action from home by sending letters to legislators. Attendees met with more than 60 legislative offices, urging elected officials to support key policy priorities that will put the needs of California families first. Together, we presented a United front! https://lnkd.in/eu7gyh56