SUMMER. 2022
The first Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) season launched at the FRC on February 3, 2003 with 38 IRS Trained and Certified Volunteers. The City of Fremont partnered with United Way Bay Area (UWBA) on a new free volunteer income tax program to help low-income families claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In 2003, families earning under $33,000 qualified for VITA’s free tax service. In that first year, Fremont VITA prepared 288 tax returns and brought home to the community $503,000 in refunds, of which $283,460 was the EITC. EITC is considered to be one of the most effective tools for helping families move out of poverty. Prior to VITA, there was broad awareness that many families who would have qualified for the EITC were not filing for it. VITA changed that thanks to the commitment of local residents who responded to our call for volunteers.
152,453 Total Hours Volunteered 34,518 Returns Prepared $54,201,254 Total Refunds $17,315,324 EITC Refunds
Over the years, Fremont VITA expanded to sites in Union City and Newark and added asset building education and opportunities to begin a savings plan. Even during the pandemic, our VITA Team pivoted to offer virtual and safe drop-off services – doing everything possible to serve our community in these difficult times. The VITA Volunteer Team has been expertly led by SparkPoint Program Coordinator Carolyn Robertson, with awesome support from Manjula Allam, Alex Ho and Simin Wang; and also over the years super CONTINUED PG2 >
IN THIS ISSUE • • • •
VITA’s 20th Anniversary FRC adds HRC Youth and Family Services Event Calendar