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Advocacy at Orange County United Way

Whether you are a local supporter, donor, board member, community partner, nonprofit collaborator, policymaker or volunteer, we’re bringing you resources to help you stay informed and take action on the issues impacting Orange County. If you are new to advocacy or a long-time champion for change, this is your hub for learning, engaging, and making your voice heard across the county.

Our Advocacy Vision

Orange County United Way advocates for policies that improve education, housing stability, financial security, and community resilience. We are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Your voice is a powerful tool for change. By engaging in advocacy, we can shape policies that advance educational opportunities, end homelessness, improve health access, and build pathways to financial stability for all Orange County residents.

Our Policy Priorities

Orange County United Way works with local, state, and national networks to advance policies that strengthen education, financial security, housing stability, and community resilience.

Education & Career

We support policies that help underserved students graduate on time and prepare for college and careers through expanded career counseling, job training, and access to Career and Technical Education programs.

Financial Security

We advocate for expanded income supports, workforce development, affordable homeownership opportunities, and policies that reflect the true cost of living in Orange County.

Housing & Homelessness

We work to strengthen systems of care, expand affordable housing access, and enhance homelessness prevention efforts to ensure our neighbors have a safe place to call home.

Community Resilience

We champion investments in 211OC, healthcare access, food security, disaster response, and sustained public funding for essential education, housing, and human services programs.

Our impact

Advocacy In Action

We believe advocacy must translate into real results for our community. Here are a few recent examples of how we’ve turned policy into progress so far this year:

Advocacy 101 Training

We are training community members in advocacy skills—equipping volunteers with the tools to effectively engage local elected leadership and champion Orange County United Way’s community-focused policy priorities. Sign up for training here.

State Budget Advocacy for 211OC and OC Free Tax Prep

We have advanced state-level budget requests to sustain and expand funding for 211OC and free tax preparation services, protecting vital infrastructure that connects families to essential support.

OC Hunger Alliance

As a member of the OC Hunger Alliance Advocacy Working Group, we successfully advocated for state funding for the CalFood Program to support California’s food banks.

Legislation

Federal & State Legislation We Support

Orange County United Way works in partnership with United Way Worldwide and United Ways of California to advance policy solutions at every level of government.

Our Legislative Priorities Include:

HELP Act: Expanding and strengthening the 211 system nationwide.
State Budget Requests: Securing sustained funding for 211 services and Free Tax Prep.
CalEITC Expansion: Expanding the California Earned Income Tax Credit to reach more low-income families.

211 Advocacy

Orange County United Way advocates for policies that strengthen and expand the 211 system, ensuring individuals and families have access to trusted information and critical community resources during everyday needs and times of crisis.

Current 211 Advocacy Priorities

Federal: Support the HELP Act of 2026 to expand and strengthen the 211 system nationwide.

Take action to support the HELP Act.

State: Support AB 1832, establishing the statewide 2-1-1 Information and Referral Response System across California.

Watch the Senate Committee on Emergency Management hearing supporting AB 1832.
Take action to support AB 1832.

Get Involved

Become a 211 Ambassador and help raise awareness about the importance of 211 in connecting people to essential health and human services.

Take Action

Want to learn more about how you can advocate on behalf of Orange County United Way to impact education, housing, financial stability, and community resilience in Orange County?Sign up here to learn more about our Advocacy 101 trainings and to stay informed on advocacy updates and news.

Other ways to stay engaged:

Advocacy 101: Learn how to be an Orange County United Way advocate and attend city council meetings
Volunteer as a 211 Ambassador
Become a Housing Champion with United to End Homelessness
Explore other volunteer opportunities
Stay engaged: Receive alerts for Action Network letters to support local, state, and federal legislation that aligns with our work to support our communities. Sign up here to receive Orange County United Way advocacy updates:

Contact Us

For more information about Orange County United Way’s advocacy efforts, please contact:

Jennie Cottle

[email protected]

Home » Get Involved » Advocacy at Orange County United Way

Stay Informed & Take Action

Advocacy at Orange County United Way

Advocacy Resources for Orange County

Whether you are a local supporter, donor, board member, community partner, nonprofit collaborator, policymaker or volunteer, we’re bringing you resources to help you stay informed and take action on the issues impacting Orange County. If you are new to advocacy or a long-time champion for change, this is your hub for learning, engaging, and making your voice heard across the county.

Our Advocacy Vision

Orange County United Way advocates for policies that improve education, housing stability, financial security and community resilience. We are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Your voice is a powerful tool for change. By engaging in advocacy, we can shape policies that advance educational opportunities, end homelessness, improve health access, and build pathways to financial stability for all Orange County residents.

About Our Advocacy and Policy Work

Orange County United Way’s public policy priorities reflect our commitment to improving opportunities for all community members. We envision an Orange County united to improve lives today and for generations to come.

Our 2025–2027 Policy Priorities

Orange County United Way works with local, state and national networks to advance policies that strengthen education, financial security, housing stability, and community resilience.

Education

We support policies that help underserved students graduate on time and prepare for college and careers through expanded career counseling, job training, and access to Career and Technical Education programs.

Financial Security

We advocate for expanded income supports, workforce development, affordable homeownership opportunities, and policies that reflect the true cost of living in Orange County.

Housing & Homelessness

We work to strengthen systems of care, expand affordable housing access, and enhance homelessness prevention efforts to ensure our neighbors have a safe place to call home.

Community Resilience

We champion investments in 211OC, healthcare access, food security, disaster response, and sustained public funding for essential education, housing, and human services programs.

Our Impact: Advocacy in Action

We believe advocacy must translate into real results for our community. Here are a few recent examples of how we’ve turned policy into progress so far this year:

OC Free Tax Prep Advocacy Events

In partnership with local elected leaders including State Senator Blakespear, Assemblymember Tri Ta, Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Foley, Orange County Supervisor Nguyen and the city of Santa Ana, we have elevated public awareness around Orange County Free Tax Prep (OCFTP), organizing “Tea and Taxes” events to help working families claim millions in tax credits each year. Visit OC Free Tax Prep to learn more about the program.

Women United Advocacy Training

Through Women United, we are training community members in advocacy skills—equipping volunteers with the tools to effectively engage local elected leadership and champion community-focused policies.

State Budget Advocacy for 211OC and OC Free Tax Prep

We have advanced state-level budget requests to sustain and expand funding for 211OC and free tax preparation services, protecting vital infrastructure that connects families to essential support.

Federal & State Legislation We Support

Orange County United Way works in partnership with United Way Worldwide and United Ways of California to advance policy solutions at every level of government.

Some of Our Current Legislative Priorities Include:

CalEITC Expansion: Expanding the California Earned Income Tax Credit to reach more low-income families.
State Budget Requests: Securing sustained funding for 211 services and Orange County Free Tax Prep.
HELP Act of 2026: Expanding and strengthening the 211 system nationwide.

Explore our advocacy network:

Key Issues: What We’re Watching This Spring

We continuously monitor legislation and budget developments that impact education, housing, financial stability, and health in Orange County.

Current focus areas include:

• California state budget negotiations and implications for human services funding

• Federal funding levels for SNAP, Medicaid, and housing programs

• Developments in homelessness policy and affordable housing investments

To learn more about the California budget process, visit the California Budget and Policy Center.

Latest Updates & Take Action

Advocacy only works when people participate. Here’s how you can get involved today:

Take Action

Join national and state campaigns through these action alerts:

You can also explore Housing Advocacy efforts through:

Contact Us

For more information about Orange County United Way’s advocacy efforts, please contact:

Jennie Cottle
[email protected]