Programs
In addition to supporting ongoing funding needs, we are especially active in disasters – uniquely helping charities, foundations, NGOs, and governments to deliver disaster funds fast, controlled, and protected from fraud to assure every dollar is wisely spent and accounted for. Programs dispersed through Village Up, at the discretion of the Funder, can control where funds are spent, including for instance limiting spend to merchants selling food and essentials, and blocking online gaming.
In addition to the programs we initiate at scale, VillageUp Foundation partners with individual non-profit organizations who serve families in need. We help them to create payments programs that advance their service missions. We’re pleased to announce our inaugural partnership program—with Opportunity Camp.
Disaster Relief for Families
Disaster Relief for Families is dedicated to providing food and essentials to families who qualify for county and state financial assistance. These families’ access to food and essentials has been compromised due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. They need our help today.
Restoring Responders
Restoring Responders is dedicated to providing mental health counseling and targeted financial support to Contra Costa County’s 11,000 first responders. These individuals are exposed to elevated levels of health and safety risk as they respond above and beyond the call of duty every single day.
Operation Healing Minds
Operation Healing Minds was born out of our experience with veterans and first responders. We took what we learned from the Operation Wounded Minds program, and evolved that into a program that curates innovative and emotionally provoking art exhibits to portray the realities, pains and joys of living with mental health challenges. We also design engaging curriculums that allow participants to administer Mental Health First Aid on social media and other online communities.
Partner Programs
Opportunity Camp
Opportunity Camp represents a unique partnership of government, business, Church and community leaders dedicated to serving the disadvantaged children of many counties across the US, including Contra Costa County, California The entire staff and board of directors are unpaid volunteers. Funding for camp is provided through fundraisers, grants and many individual donations.Celebrating its 50th Year, Opportunity Camp has been operated continuously by the Church of Christ, supported by the broader communities in which the Camps are located.
Join Opportunity Camp in helping Contra Costa County families in need to stay safe and food-secure through the COVID-19 crisis.
Teaming Up with VillageUp Foundation
Through VillageUp’s Disaster Relief for Families program, Opportunity Camp will offer a VillageUp Visa Payments Card, loaded with donated funds help the families of participating children buy food and essentials. The program provides participants with safe, secure, financial relief from the burden of not having funds for food and essentials, and is planned to run for at least the next 90 days as the COVID-19 crisis runs its course.
A Personal Connection with a Proven Non-Profit
For VillageUp creator and visionary Dwayne Jones, partnering with Opportunity Camp brings a history of caring and support full circle. In 1969, Pearl Lackey, Dwayne’s great grandmother, attended the Richmond Church of Christ and participated with many others in raising money for Opportunity Camp through bake sales and other activities. After the nearby San Leandro Church of Christ founded their Opportunity Camp in June of 1970, Dwayne’s mother went on to served as a volunteer cook and Dwayne served as a counselor and cook over 30 years. Most recently, Dwayne’s quadruplet children have also attended as volunteer kitchen crew—and were looking forward to serving as camp counselors this year. Starting with Great Grandma Lackey’s famous mayonnaise cake, five generations of the Jones family have been proud to support the community through Opportunity Camp.
Building Beyond the Pilot
Opportunity Camp has deep roots in Contra Costa County. Under the leadership of Executive Director Ken Cheda and others who grew up in the Walnut Creek and other San Francisco Bay Area Churches of Christ, VillageUp and Opportunity Camp look forward to developing a local model that can expand to Opportunity Camps across the US, including Lubbock, Midland and Mineral Springs, Texas and many others. There is additional expansion of the Disaster Relief for Families model through other organizations , including thos)e affiliated with the Church of Christ, i(e.g. Pepperdine University)
Launch a Program
Launch a New Program to accelerate financial relief to other populations in need—using the power of convenient, scalable and accountable VillageUp payments cards. VillageUp Foundation exists to support Contra Costa County charities and government agencies of all kinds and sizes.