Auburn Gresham Tax Site Puts Recession in Time-out
Ernest Sanders
Published: January 28, 2010
Center for Economic Progress' Auburn Gresham Tax Site Manager, Pamela Wafford informs tax clients of important changes to income tax laws.
Ernest Sanders
The first week of free tax services did not disappoint nearly 200 eager income tax filers from arriving early and waiting patiently outdoors in frigid weather, to receive fast, free, and electronic tax preparation services at the Auburn Gresham Resource Tax Center.
Sponsored by the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC), the Saint Sabina Resource Center (ERC), and the Center for Economic Progress (CEP), in partnership with Alderman Latasha Thomas (D-17), this free service looks to increase the financial well-being of clients by offering an array of products.
Southwest Smart Communities Partners project manager, Norma Sanders (L) demonstrates one of the features of the Hewlett Packard TouchSmart screen with Center for Economic Progress' outreach specialist, Gwen White.
Ernest Sanders
Products varied from free Advent debit cards, savings and checking accounts with the former community banking icon, Park National Bank (now US Bank), to free applications for federal student aid (FAFSA), free financial coaching with the Auburn Gresham Center for Working Families, and a host of other relevant information as the upcoming 2010 Census.
CEP’s tax site manager (for Auburn Gresham), Pamela Wafford, welcomed the first time and returning clients and informed them of several new tax laws designed to benefit them and provide an additional level of security for this tax season.
Tom Raleigh of Pangea Real Estate presented information about rehabbed apartment rentals in the Auburn Gresham community with exceptional amenities (such as free WiFi) and other financial incentives. Raleigh warmed the crowd by providing them with hot coffee and freshly made donuts.
US Bank's branch manager Kimberly Jones (R) and her colleague prepare to offer checking and savings accounts to tax clients.
Ernest Sanders
Southwest Smart Communities Partners (SSCP) project manager, Norma Sanders spoke to clients about several community initiatives, highlighting their alliance with the City of Chicago and Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago (LISC/Chicago) regarding Chicago’s implementation of the Smart Communities Digital Excellence Initiative.
Sanders informed clients that they could use the Hewlett Packard TouchSmart screens located in the intake and tax preparation areas to access vital information necessary to complete their tax returns.
Auburn Gresham native, Calvin Rattler, a 3-time returning customer and the very first customer for this tax season, arrived approximately at 8:00 am on Saturday to receive the free services. When asked about the importance of his early arrival and return visit, Rattler said, “I like the way the tax site operates here. Each year I have come, I have received a refund that I am able to use to benefit my family. Thank you!”
Calvin Rattler, an Auburn Gresham resident, 3-time returning client, and the first client of 2010 tax season sits with Frank Gant (R), a Center for Economic Progress volunteer tax preparer.
Ernest Sanders
Rattler’s response was not different from many other tax clients. Each of them were as enthused about the products, resources, and services rendered and graciously expressed their gratitude.
Ashburn residents, Arnold and Susima Tuazon, first time clients, received literature in the mail from CEP advertising the free services. They did not hesitate to arrive early to benefit from the free services too.
“On a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest, we rate the services at a ten. Thank you and we will definitely recommend your free tax services to others and most importantly, we’ll be back next year!” said the Tuazons.
“I am the happiest person I have ever been. I have not gotten this much money back ever before,” said Chicago Lawn resident and a 3-time returning client, Betty Beal.
Betty Beal, a returning client poses next to kiosk outside of the Auburn Gresham intake area just after she received the largest refund she has ever received.
Ernest Sanders
Auburn Gresham’s free tax preparation is definitely a service where the daunting elements of a recession are placed in 'time-out'. With 30 days free tax preparation remaining, the Auburn Gresham tax site is on track to surpass 2009's figures of $2.2 million in aggregate returns, serving more than 1500 clients.
The site is open on Monday and Thursday (5:30 pm – 8:00 pm), and Saturday (10 am – 1:00 pm) from January 23, 2010 to April 15, 2010. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!!! NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY!!! FIRST COME - FIRST SERVE!!!
Click here to print a flyer for more information or call (773) 483-3696 to inquire about the other free services, products, and resources mentioned above.
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