Valley Assistance Network

Every day, families in our community make tough choices - like deciding whether to pay for rent or food; or whether to buy medication or put gas in their car to get to work. United Way NSV’s Community Needs Assessment, completed in 2017, found people across our region need help accessing resources, knowing where to turn for help, and improvement toward economic mobility.

That same year, Rutgers University, in collaboration with United Ways across Virginia, released the ALICE Report. The ALICE population stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed.  This group makes up almost 40% of our community. Most ALICE families are walking a financial tightrope, don’t qualify for government assistance, and often don’t know where to turn when they need help. 

VAN was created through years of research from United Way Worldwide and collaboration from community partners. VAN is guided by a Steering Committee made up of committed community leaders.

Mission: To engage community resources to move individuals and families from crisis to financial security

Vision: An empowered community where all families achieve financial security

Values: The Valley Assistance Network operates under these key values:

1. Collaboration: We value and promote effective partnerships.
2. Integrity:  We are honest and ethical; we have respect for all people, community and cultures.
3. Compassion: We treat all individuals with care, concern, and empathy; we are not judgmental.
4. Innovation: We embrace continuous improvements, bold creativity, and change.
5. Empowerment: We promote strategies that encourage growth and inspire clients to achieve personal success.
6. Advocacy: We galvanize people to speak out for change and facilitate collaborative efforts for real solutions

Resources and Referrals (Phase 1)

Provide an easily accessible coordinated network of services to help people navigate resources in our community (ex- shelter, clothing, food, medical care, job training). 

Financial Education and Coaching (Phase 2)

Equip people with the tools and skills they need to get better paying jobs, keep more of what they earn, and save for their future. Using an Integrated Service Delivery model, clients will have access to an array of services by the Network’s partners such as budgeting, credit counseling and free tax preparation, with the goal of moving them up the ladder to self-sufficiency and ultimately financial security.

Key Features for the Community

• Reduces the challenges and barriers to accessing multiple services.
• Eliminates redundancy, decreases wait times for clients seeking help.
• Streamlined intake and eligibility requirements to make referrals easier.
• Increases income through VITA and EITC

Key Functions of VAN

• Makes all services (Government, nonprofit) more efficient and effective.
• Enhanced information sharing to provide a better client experience.
• Fills a needed gap in our community by providing a central point of entry.
• Promotes self-sufficiency and economic mobility.

Nearly 70% of clients are considered ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).  

ALICE works hard every day to support their families, but struggles to cover the basics: housing, child care, food, healthcare, and transportation.  They are often one emergency – such as a major car repair or medical bill – from falling into poverty. ALICE often doesn’t qualify for government aid or social service programs, so they are virtually invisible to the system, their struggle unseen and unknown.  

Learn more about ALICE here.

Our Top Supporters

VAN is a program of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley (UWNSV). UWNSV provides back bone support for the program, but funding for the program is raised entirely OUTSIDE of the annual campaign. We rely solely on generous corporations, individuals, and fundraisers, who give sometimes in addition to the United Way campaign to make sure VAN continues to exist. 

Our Community Partners

Valley Assistance Network relies on a rich network of nonprofit and corporate partners to help address our community’s most pressing needs.  We are grateful to the following partners who provide in-kind support and manpower to increase our capacity: Valley Health, Amazon, and Northwestern Community Services Board.

Donate

VAN exists thanks to the generous support of many in our community. Please consider donating to help to continue to provide stability to local families.

You can give by:

• Check - make out to United Way NSV (in the memo line put VAN) and mail to 329 N. Cameron Street, Suite 201, Winchester, VA 22601
• Online - Donate right on this website, click here. Add "VAN" to the memo line
• Host a Facebook fundraiser
• Host an event
• Connect us with an organization looking to support an area non-profit

Volunteers

VAN relies heavily on volunteers to keep our operations going, and we are so thankful to those who share their time and talents with us!  In 2019, community members volunteered 4,603 hours so support VAN.  That’s a value of $117,051!  

Click here to view our current volunteer opportunities.  We can also accommodate college interns all year round.

For more information, contact Jennifer Hall at jhall@unitedwaynsv.org or (540) 773-3178.

Donated Items

We are always in need of donated items to assist our clients during a crisis situation. Please contact Jennifer Hall for more details on what is needed at this moment. 

If you are interested in learning more about resources that are available through United Way NSV and VAN, please visit the Resources page to learn more about: 

• Community Service Directory
• 211
• FamilyWize

Update: Valley Assistance Network is currently accepting a limited number of intakes per week. If you are in need of assistance, you may call our intake line at (540)773-3178 or submit an intake form at VAN: Get Help | United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley (unitedwaynsv.org) which are open for new intakes on Monday mornings at 9am. You may also visit our walk-in window which hours are:
Monday's from 12 noon - 5pm
Tuesday's from 9am - 1pm

The intake phone line, online platform, and the walk-up window will close once we have reached capacity for the week!

If clients have an open case and need to provide an update or documents: we ask that they email van@unitedwaynsv.org, text (540)692-9083 or  call (540) 536-6641 to leave a message for a return call. 

We also have a document drop-box located outside our office door that clients may leave copies of their documents in at anytime, drop-box is checked daily.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

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