Helps Hundreds of Families Impacted by COVID-19 Closures
The Valley Assistance Network (VAN), a program of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, announced today that it has helped nearly 700 families connect with local resources since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The program has seen a 75-percent jump in requests for assistance as more local families have lost income and are struggling to pay bills.
On August 12, 2020, Wells Fargo renewed its commitment to VAN with a $10,000 grant to help the agency with COVID-19 relief efforts.
“Wells Fargo is deploying resources to help address immediate and longer-term needs for shelter, rental assistance, small business support and financial stability. We continue to focus on supporting organizations that are strategically aligned with our funding priorities and are happy to renew our commitment to the Valley Assistance Network,” said Lynne Sayles, Senior Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo in Winchester.
(See attached photo of check presentation)
Valley Assistance Network provides immediate crisis intervention services to help families navigate the complex social services system. As the pandemic continues, record numbers of people are turning to VAN for resources to stay in their homes.
Since mid-March, VAN has fielded 675 requests from people seeking help with rent, utilities, food, healthcare, and other critical resources. Utilizing technology and donations to United Way NSV’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, they worked quickly with key partners to get resources into the hands of families who needed it most.
80% of households served since COVID-19 live in Winchester and Frederick County.
75% of all requests are related to housing insecurity. Through the COVID-19 Relief Fund,
UWNSV has:
o Prevented 85 evictions
o Helped with 105 utility payments
o Provided 150 nights of emergency shelter in motels
In less than three years, VAN has helped more than 2,500 families connect with critical resources when they are forced to make tough decisions like paying the rent or putting food on the table. The program targets working families who are ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
ALICE families make too much to qualify for most government benefits, but not enough to make ends meet. This population continues to be the hardest hit during COVID-19.
The program is on pace to serve 1,400 families in 2020; a 60% increase from 2019.
“As we move into the recovery phase the community’s support is critical to help ALICE survive – and thrive,” said Nadine Bullock-Pottinga, President and CEO of United Way NSV. “We are grateful for our community partners who have supported our COVID-19 response efforts, and we challenge other businesses to step up and help us meet the increased demand in our community” Bullock-Pottinga said.
In addition to the $10,000 grant from Wells Fargo, VAN received a $5,000 donation from United Bank and a $2,500 donation from the Woltz Foundation – Winchester to assist with COVID response efforts. All three were founding donors to VAN in 2017 and renewed their commitments this Spring.
VAN is actively recruiting volunteers to serve as Resource Navigators. Anyone who is interested in learning more can contact Jennifer Hall, Director of Community Engagement at (540) 773-3178 or jhall@unitedwaynsv.org.