Opportunities to Serve, Learn, and Get Rental Assistance

VITA (VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE)

 
            Looking for an interesting volunteer opportunity?  Want to use your mind at the same time that you are providing a real service to low and moderate-income residents of our community.  Want to meet interesting people, both your fellow volunteers as well as taxpayers with varied backgrounds?  Then VITA is for you!
            The VITA program provides free income tax assistance to low-income taxpayers.  It is an IRS program whose local sponsor is Goodwill Industries of Michiana.  The VITA program files tax returns electronically, so that taxpayers receive much-needed refunds quickly, particularly the Earned Income Tax Credit and the newly expanded Child Tax Credit.  As income inequality has skyrocketed in recent years, many taxpayers appreciate the free tax service that VITA provides.  And even though there are many honest paid tax preparers who charge fairly, there are also unscrupulous tax preparers who overcharge for even simple returns.
            The tax season runs from late January through April 15.  Although we usually do tax preparation face-to-face, because of the pandemic we switched to a virtual method last year.  We may do so again this year if conditions warrant.
            The training season begins on October 11 and runs through December, with an additional session in January.  If you decide to become a volunteer tax preparer, you can receive the necessary training in tax law from experienced tax preparers this fall.
            If you would like to volunteer, or you would simply like more information about the program, please contact Marty Wolfson at mwolfson@nd.edu.

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The Community Forum for Economic Justice and The South Bend Reparations Working Group are organizing two studies.

On Thursday, October 28^th 7:00- 8:30 PM, Dr. Alfred Guillaume Jr. will lead a study of the book “Pillage of Hope,” written by retired Oklahoma State Legislator, Don Ross.  In his book, The Honorable Mr. Ross recounts what it was like growing up Black in Oklahoma and his work to create a museum to memorialize the 300 Black men and women killed by white mobs in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.  Pillage of Hope is a powerful invitation to examine the issue of Reparations for Americans descended from Black Slaves.

On Thursday, November 4^th 7:00-8:30PM, Ms. Nimbilasha Cushing and Dr. Marty Wolfson will lead a discussion to examine the emotionally charged questions of Reparations and what is happening on that front right here is St. Joseph County.
For more information, click here.
To register for one or both of these discussions, click here.
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Emergency Rental Assistance

Application deadline has been extended!! Applications are now being accepted through 10/29/2021!
For full information, click here.
 

St. Joseph County’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) is designed to decrease evictions, increase housing stability, and prevent homelessness by helping tenants whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility payments. 

ERA can provide eligible tenants with twelve (12) up to fifteen (15) months, for housing stability, of rental assistance. Utility assistance may also be provided to qualifying applicants for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash) and home energy (fuel oil, wood, coal, pellets, and propane) expenses.

The St. Joseph County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program may provide temporary rental and utility assistance for applicants who meet all of the following;
·        Are currently a resident of St. Joseph County;
·        Name appears on the rental lease;
·        Income is less than 80% of the median household income in St. Joseph County; and
·        Demonstrate housing instability or risk of homelessness due to COVID-19
Applicants MUST meet one of the following three requirements and provide documents as proof.
1.     A member of the applicant's household has received unemployment benefits since April 1, 2020
2.     The applicant's household has experienced a reduction in household income due to an involuntary job layoff, reduced work hours, or reduced pay
3.     The applicant's household incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19”