Programs & Initiatives
Orange County United Way’s Programs & Initiatives
In partnership with the Orange County Department of Social Services, Orange County United Way runs the Energy Penetration Program, which has two components – Energy Conservation and the Orange County Fuel Fund. United Way offers Energy Conservation workshops for various community groups and gatherings in order to teach residents the best ways they can reduce their energy and water use, thereby reducing their monthly utility expenses. The Orange County Fuel Fund provides one-time grants for those residents in financial need who are struggling to pay their heating bills, but who don’t quite qualify for the Federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Once approved, a fuel fund grant is paid directly to the individual’s fuel provider.
Click here to learn more about the Orange County Fuel Fund.
In-Kind Donation Program
Orange County United Way receives donations of new clothing and household items from retail stores. United Way distributes these donations to various non-profit organizations throughout Orange County who in turn give the items to those in the community that are the most in need.
“Not One More” Fund
Joining a collaborative effort among schools, county government, law enforcement, as well as community and parent organizations, Orange County United Way has established the “Not One More” Fund to help promote safe teen driving initiatives. Based upon the goals of the “Not One More” Community Forums sponsored by the Times Herald-Record started in June of 2006, a planning group was established to gather resources, information and expertise to promote the forums. It has also set out to identify other programs that could be delivered through the local high schools using community resources. To-date six driving simulators have been purchased to be shared by local high schools to teach teens how to deal with hazardous road conditions.
In partnership with Orange County Government and the Department of Mental Health, Orange County United Way supports the System of Care Program. The System of Care Program is an initiative to create a single point of access for families and youth facing social, emotional or mental health challenges. It works to integrate the existing systems to aid in the navigation of the various mental health services and reduce duplication of services across the different agencies.
The Orange County Women’s Leadership Fund is a special initiative of Orange County United Way aimed at promoting the financial independence of women and girls. The fund is used to provide grants for programs that both increase opportunities and eliminate obstacles for women and girls as they work to gain self-reliance.
