United Way - Orange County

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Efforts

Free Community Tax Days
Orange County United Way's focus on financial stability strives to move families and individuals up the economic ladder by providing programs and services that help them become self sufficient. This year, Orange County United Way, Legal Aid Society of Orange County and many of our community partners teamed up and helped families access the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Cited as the largest anti-poverty program by the National Tax Payer Advocate, this collaborative effort helped 3,242 families and individuals receive $3,524,876 in federal refunds, $1,542,875 being in EITC credits.

Outstanding Agencies and Volunteers!

Orange County United Way would like to take this time to recognize all of our partner agencies and volunteers for dedicating their time and energy in helping families and individuals access the EITC. Below are the names of our partner agencies, followed by the names of this years Stellar volunteers that went above and beyond in contributing to these efforts.

EITC Partners

Abrazar Anaheim/Fullerton FRC

Anaheim Independencia FRC/CAPOC Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove

California State University, Fullerton City of Santa Ana

Delhi Community Center El Modena FRC/CAPOC

Friendly Center Hermosa Village FRC/Project Access

Irvine Valley College KidWorks

Legal Aid Society of Orange County Neighborhood Housing Services of OC

Oak View Renewal Partnership One-Stop Center

Orange County Credit Union Pio Pico Elementary

Share Our Selves St. Anselm's Cross Cultural Center

Stellar Volunteers

Alicia Becerra

Christina Sepulveda

Elizabeth Delgado

Jeremy Cohen

Judy Magsaysay

Liset Hernandez

Mario Ortega

Peter Nguyen

Shami Arbenz

Teresa Martinez

Vanessa Rodriguez

These individuals played an important role in the success of this year�s campaign, and also found several rewarding aspects in return:

�It was very rewarding to be part of the tax days and see how many people benefit. I liked being able to help the clients and give them tips in how they can make their money work for them and think of their future� �Alicia Bacerra

�To see that over 30 families obtained a refund that otherwise would not have taken place and to enhance their economic well-being.� �Vanessa Rodriguez

If you would like more information on how you can be a part of next year�s efforts, please contact Sahara Navarro at saharan@unitedwayoc.org.

Somos Familia Mission and Vision

Orange County United Somos Familia is committed to promoting and facilitating economic empowerment within Latino neighborhoods in Orange County.

These neighborhoods include: Pio Pico Lowell in Santa Ana, Las Villas in San Juan Capistrano, Oak View in Huntington Beach and La Colonia - an unincorporated island located on the borders of Garden Grove, Stanton and Anaheim.

Learn more about ways in which Somos Familia is impacting the lives of Orange County families by reading our Initiative Summary.