Needs From: United Way of Ventura County

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program assists individuals and families who have a household income of less than $69,000. Trained volunteers prepare and electronically file state and federal tax returns assisting filers to claim the credits for which they are eligible.

VITA sites will be open for in-person tax preparation services at multiple locations across Ventura County with weekday, evening, and weekend options available. 

Join our team of volunteers, working collaboratively to assist low and moderate income earners in our community increase their financial stability.

Intake/Screening Volunteer: Will receive training on how to assist the tax filer to complete the intake form and how to review their paperwork to ensure they have everything necessary to complete their tax return.  Bilingual English/Spanish speaking volunteers are especially needed.

 Volunteers must successfully complete the IRS online Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview certifications.

Intake/Screening volunteers are asked to commit 3-4 hours per week between February 1 and April 30.

Additional information will be sent after signing up for this volunteer need.

For more information, contact Susan Englund,

Email: Susan.Englund@vcunitedway.org

 

 

 

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance  (VITA) program assists individuals and families who have a household income of less than $69,000.  Trained volunteers prepare and electronically file state and federal tax returns assisting filers to claim the credits for which they are eligible.

VITA sites will be open for in-person tax preparation services at multiple locations across Ventura County with weekday, evening, and Saturday options available.  Virtual tax preparation services will also be offered with no client contact.

Join our team of volunteers, working collaboratively to assist low and moderate income earners in our community increase their financial stability.

Tax Preparer Volunteer:  Prepare and electronically file state and federal tax returns.  Tax preparation experience is helpful but not required. Volunteer Tax preparers are protected and not accountable for errors as long as they prepare within certification level.

A two-session classroom training will be offered November 2 & 8 at CLU Oxnard Satellite Campus and December 6 & 13 at Moorpark College (with online access).   Additional online training will also be available. 

All volunteers must successfully complete the IRS online certification.

Tax prep volunteers are asked to commit 3-4 hours per week between February 1 and April 30.   

Additional information will be sent after signing up for this volunteer need.

For more information, contact Susan Englund,

Email: Susan.Englund@vcunitedway.org

 

 

An unaffiliated Disaster Spontaneous Volunteer is anyone from the community that wants to volunteer to help and is not already an Affiliated Volunteer trained by programs such as the Red Cross, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other organizations with pre-determined disaster response duties. The program is open to all local residents regardless of skills or physical limitations. Children under 18 are eligible when in the company of their parent or guardian. Groups are encouraged.

All registered volunteers will be informed of and where possible linked to posted disaster-related volunteer opportunities as they are listed on this site.

 

NOTIFICATIONS:

In order to ensure receipt of notifications of volunteer opportunities -

1) please ensure that you email is not screening out the system generated notifications by white-listing the following eddress - noreply@galaxydigital.com,   

2) In your profile, under Settings, please make sure that notifications are turned on so that you will be able to receive emails regarding upcoming disaster response and recovery opportunities.

Settings
Contact me in the event of a disaster - should indicate "Yes"
Receive system emails and messages - should indicate "Yes"

NOTE: During and immediately after an event, you may receive notifications every day.  Typically during intermediate and long-term recovery far fewer messages will be generated.

  Typical Jobs for Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers Clean-up/Inside: pick up and dispose of debris, clean furnishings and equipment, replace library books and other fallen items, do maintenance and janitorial work Clean-up/Outside: clear roads blocked by toppled trees, remove and haul away fallen brick and other debris from sidewalks and roadways, shovel mud, fill sandbags Clerical Support: assist with range of clerical duties including copying, faxing, mailing, acknowledging donations Damage Assessment: go door-to-door in a designated area, observing and noting exterior damage Data Entry: Enter information on computer data base Donated Items: staff designated collection and distribution sites, sort items, inventory goods Drivers: transport people to work sites, deliver goods, drive courier routes Food Preparation Crews: cook hot food, prepare cold food (sandwiches, etc.), and serve food and beverages at fixed and mobile sites Check-in Recorder: greet public, give information, refer to appropriate worker or location, record check in information and provide volunteer packet. Interpreters: assist in a wide variety of settings, wherever and whenever bilingual workers are unavailable Phone Bank Workers: answer phones, provide information, and make referrals Researchers: call or visit agencies/work sites to assess needs and report back Runners: take messages between agencies, work sites, command centers Security: check IDs at entrances and exits to facilities where security is vital to safe, smooth operations Sorters/Packers/Loaders: sort, pack and/or load goods (food, clothing, etc.) Training: those with detailed knowledge of subject area and proven training ability train other volunteers

 

Please understand that it is not always possible for our community partners to list their needs in the first hours/days of a disaster.  Also, some disasters - such as fires - cannot integrate volunteers into early response because of the presence of hazardous materials and situations. If you can remain patient there will certainly be opportunities to serve.  Thank you for your concern, your understanding and your patience.  We truly appreciate your wish to serve our community.

The UWVC Landlord Engagement Program connects individuals and families with housing vouchers and subsidies to available rental units. As our neighbors are getting housed, we want to welcome them and get them started in their new homes. Please join in our excitement and put together a basket to welcome our newly housed neighbors!

Be creative with your basket and enjoy putting this special gift together! Baskets can include:

Laundry items: Hamper, detergent, etc. Kitchen items: Dish detergent, silverware, spatula, baking/cooking staples, etc. Bathroom items: Toothbrush/toothpaste, towels, washcloths, bath soap, cleaning supplies, shower curtains, etc. Paper goods: Toilet paper and paper towels

We ask that if any foods are packaged in your baskets, they are store bought and have not been opened. All basket items should be new.

Once you have collected your items and assembled your basket, please contact Carie at carie.bristow@vcunitedway.org to arrange for a drop-off at the UWVC office (702 County Square Dr. Unit 100 Ventura CA 93003).

**Note: This will be an ongoing opportunity with the goal of obtaining 5 baskets per month. If the opportunity for this month is full, please check back next month!

 

We appreciate your kindness towards our neighbors and community.

Thank you for your support!