“The goal is to make a measurable impact in the community and to change the reason people need the services in the first place,” said Heather Love, community impact directory, when she spoke at a recent Pickens Rotary meeting.
“In the ideal world, people wouldn’t need those services anymore,” she said.
As part of that effort, the United Way of Pickens and Greenville counties have joined forces with Americorps through a grant-funded program, which offers assistance with tax returns, letting people know what state and federal benefits are available to them; and offering financial management curriculum.
SHARE, Pickens County Seniors Unlimited, the Board of Disabilities, the Pickens County Public Library System, the YMCA and Clemson Community Cares are also helping to make the project a reality by providing locations for these services, Love said.
The grant is funding a total of 27 Americorps volunteers, with 20 who will work in Greenville County and the other 7 in Pickens County, she said.
The Pickens County volunteers will be working at those locations through July 31, 2011.
The VITA tax preparation (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) service will be free to individuals and families who file a basic tax return, and who have a low-to-moderate income - defined as having a household income of less than $49,000, according to the Greenville United Way’s Web site.
Love said that the FDIC has put out a free curriculum called Money Smart that would be available, and there will be a “one-stop” shop for inquiries about benefits available.
The idea is to provide those in need with “tools to get back on their feet and stay there,” she said.
Americorps members will act as site coordinators, and Love said they hope to recruit 40 volunteers to help with tax preparation. All will have to go through stringent IRS requirements, she said.
For those interested in the tax service, the program will start taking appointments Dec. 1 via the United Way’s 2-1-1 system.
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