News & Events

Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA) honors VITA volunteers

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA) honored the volunteers for this year’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. VITA is an IRS program which makes free tax preparation services available to low and moderate income individuals and families by working with agencies such as TVCCA.

TVCCA is in the third year of providing this free income tax service to individuals and families whose income is below $50,000.

All of the volunteers are required to participate in a training program and are certified by the IRS. For the tax season 2008, forty-five individuals throughout New London County volunteered. On May 13, the volunteers, along with two local businesses who were instrumental in the expansion of the program this year, were honored by the IRS and TVCCA. CorePlus Federal Credit Union President/CEO Warren Scholl and Ledge Light Federal Credit Union President/CEO Bruce Fafard met with TVCCA in the fall of 2008 and offered use of their facilities one night per week along with employee volunteers. Both organizations contributed $10,000 to help with the cost of operating the program. TVCCA also received a grant for $5,000 from Bank of America. Other sites of operation included the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center and TVCCA.

The program has a major impact on the individuals and families served. On the night of the recognition, one of the volunteers said “You knew it was all worth it when upon completing a return, I told the family what they would be receiving in a Federal refund and the mother started to cry because now they could pay their rent”.

Mary, a retired social worker, came into the New London TVCCA office to have her taxes done. Before she left that night she decided to volunteer to be a greeter for the rest of the tax season. She was impressed with the service and dedication of the volunteers.

This year, due to the partnerships of the credit unions and community volunteers, 394 tax returns were prepared with a total of $675,900 state and federal dollars being brought back into the community.