IRVINE, CA – Carla Vargas, Orange County United Way’s Senior Vice President, Community Impact, has been appointed as the newest member of the Orange County Commission to End Homelessness.
The Commission provides oversight and accountability for the implementation of the county’s 10 year plan to end Homelessness, a goal shared by United Way.
“I’m honored to serve as a member of the Commission to End Homelessness, representing Orange County United Way volunteers and staff working so hard to reduce the number of homeless and housing-insecure children in our County,” said Vargas.
More than 26,000 Orange County children are considered homeless or housing insecure, which is why United Way, as part of its FACE 2024 community-wide action plan, is a key partner in the countywide effort to tackle this growing problem.
United Way is among several local non-profits and agencies currently preparing for the Point-in-Time Count to gauge the population and composition of Orange County’s homeless. This information provides elected officials, non-profit organizations and private funders with data necessary to make informed decisions regarding homelessness service and budget levels. United Way was also instrumental in advocating for support of the year-round countywide homeless shelter and service center approved in late 2015.
In addition, as part of its FACE 2024 plan, United Way supports a Rapid-Re-housing collaborative that places families experiencing homelessness into permanent housing. It also launched the Sparkpoint OC in Schools initiative providing families on the brink of homelessness with financial tools and coaching.
“Failure to meet our collective homelessness goals is simply not an option,” concluded Vargas. “The consequences are too great considering the impact that housing insecurity and homelessness has on the well-being of children and their chances for long term success in life. Their future and our County’s future are equally at risk.”
For more information about United Way’s FACE 2024 Housing or other vital initiatives, please visit the Orange County United Way website.
NEWS CONTACTS:
Katherine Ransom, Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Orange County United Way 949.263.6176, [email protected]
Michael Suydam
21Strat 949.981.5008, [email protected]
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY:
Since 1924, Orange County United Way has been working to improve lives and strengthen our community by mobilizing the caring power of Orange County, by focusing on the building blocks for a good quality of life: Education, Income, Health and Housing. By investing in Orange County’s children, families and individuals, we help them create pathways to self-sufficient futures through education and training. In short, we help people help themselves. Through our 10-year community-wide action plan, “FACE 2024” (an acronym for Fund, Advocate, Collaborate, Educate) United Way is mobilizing local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals to make a long-term measurable difference in the lives of local individuals and families. To learn more or to join our movement, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
