The 2008 Auburn Gresham Free Tax Site: A Recession Buster
Ernest Sanders
Published: January 26, 2008
![Pamela Wafford [L] and Rhonda Jones [R] poses with CEP volunteers at the St. Sabina ERC Resource Room](http://www.gagdc.org/uploads/gagdc/images/Tax_Site_Art_pic1.jpg)
[Far left] Pamela Wafford (Site Manager) and [Far Right] Rhonda Jones (Assistant Site Manager) poses with CEP volunteers at the St. Sabina ERC Resource Room.
Ernest Sanders
No matter the obstacles of today’s economic climate or complexities of voting for a presidential candidate in 2008, the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), along with the Saint Sabina Employment Resource Center (ERC), and the Center for Economic Progress (CEP) have teamed up to provide free tax preparation in Auburn Gresham. Their partnership has enabled local residents and others from surrounding communities to file their federal and state taxes electronically and directly deposit their refunds into a checking and/or savings account.
“The partnerships in this community are unprecedented,” expressed Carlos Nelson, Executive Director for the GADC. “We have the opportunity to provide free services to our residents and help them understand the importance of their aggregated refunds staying in the community. When we keep dollars in the community, then the community is better off because more jobs become available and revitalization is graceful.”
![[L-R]Sara Reschly, Pamela Wafford, and Rolando Palacios wait eagerly to help process Auburn Gresham residents tax returns.](http://www.gagdc.org/uploads/gagdc/images/2008_tax_art_pic_2.jpg)
[L-R]Sara Reschly (CEP Manager), Pamela Wafford, and Rolando Palacios (CEP Director) wait eagerly to help process Auburn Gresham residents tax returns.
Ernest Sanders
In her third year as CEP’s Auburn Gresham Tax Site Manager, Pamela Wafford said, “I am delighted to provide CEP’s renowned services to our clientèle. It means a great deal to me that such partnerships exist in this community to provide financial literacy to the residents. Also, it’s really wonderful to see so many returning clients who have entrusted us with a piece of their livelihood.”
Sara Reschly, CEP’s Special Project Manager, similarly agree. “Having working in the office makes it really difficult to see how important, needed, and appreciated CEP’s services are to the community. When I arrived this morning, I was surprised to see so many people waiting in the cold weather for our assistance with their taxes. It’s really great to know that we provide a great alternative to “paid preparers” and such partnerships exist.”
Carolyn Husband (Long time CEP Volunteer) prepares Jeff Flournoy's taxes. Mr. Flournoy is an Auburn Gresham resident.
Ernest Sanders
The above quotes are very important and reflect CEP's efforts to promote tax fairness. Once such way is by helping to establish the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for eligible families.
CEP’s efforts to encourage direct deposits into check and savings accounts would not be possible without exclusive collaboration with the Auburn Gresham Citibank Financial Service Center. Located at 2000 West 79th Street (79th & Damen), Citibank’s Financial Center Manager, Keecha Glass worked with CEP and GADC to grant access to free checking accounts with direct deposits. These accounts also offer overdraft protection.
Along with free checking, Citibank offered the clientèle other banking products to include: personal loans, student loans, financial analysis, and mortgage discounts.
While the partnerships bring much excitement to the community, they would be meaningless, if the clients did not respond favorably. Here are a few comments from those who received services today.
Frank Gant (CEP Volunteer) prepares tax return for Sherry Bowers and her young son.
Ernest Sanders
Jeff Flournoy said, “Everything was fine. The people are really nice. I am grateful for the help.”
John Fort, an elder who resides at St. Sabina’s Elders Village said, “My experience is good every year. Everything is convenient for me and I will be back next year and the years to come. Thank you.”
Sherry Bowers replied, “This is my 3rd year and the service continues to be good and fast. The people have always been nice. You know, I refuse to pay $400 - $500 for someone else to prepare my taxes. I can use that money towards a bill to provide for my family. I will definitely keep coming back and keep my money in this community. See you next year.”
Sandy Ferguson said, “I am so impressed with the services, that I am going to sign up next year to become a volunteer tax preparer. Thank you GADC and CEP.”
Sandy Ferguson, an Auburn Gresham resident, opens several accounts with Citibank's Herbert Johnson.
Ernest Sanders
Other notable highlights of the tax site included free refreshments for clients and volunteers (provided by GADC and CEP) and the St. Sabina Auburn Gresham Center for Working Families. This program seeks to help residents of the Auburn Gresham neighborhood achieve greater financial stability through an integrated system of workforce development services, income supports and financial services.
At the end of this free tax preparation day, 40 clients received free tax services; 17 signed up with the Center for Working Families; 5 free checking, 3 money market, and 6 savings accounts were established with Citibank, and this reporter got to sample the left over refreshments.
The free tax service runs on Monday, Thursday, and Saturdays, between January 26 and Monday, April 14, 2008. Please call 773.483.3696 for more details.
For more information about the Center for Economic Progress and to find a other free tax sites close to you in the metropolitan Chicagoland area, please visit www.centerforprogress.org/programs_chicagoland.html.
Posted in Business, Housing, Economic Development