Area Briefs: Community Action opens tax assistance program

Community Action opens tax assistance program

Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) has opened appointments for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free, Internal Revenue Service-certified tax preparation for individuals and families who have low incomes throughout Franklin and Hampshire counties and the North Quabbin region. 

Last tax season, CAPV’s VITA program returned about $1.23 million to residents. The program served more than 600 taxpayers, with average household incomes of $19,000 and an average refund of $2,263. 

The VITA program is staffed by 35 trained volunteer tax preparers who complete IRS certification, CORI background checks, and confidentiality and ethics training. CAPV also provides volunteer training each January, empowering community members to help their neighbors while gaining valuable skills.

This year’s tax clinics take place in:

• Northampton: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., 155 Pleasant St.
• Greenfield: Mondays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., and Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m., 393 Main St., Fourth Floor.

The VITA program ensures eligible taxpayers receive the full value of federal and state refunds and credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Most clients use refunds for essential needs, supporting neighborhood businesses and creating a ripple effect throughout the regional economy.  Additionally, by offering free tax services, VITA saves households hundreds of dollars in preparation fees. 

Eligibility information and appointment scheduling are available at www.communityaction.us. 

Florence Bank donates $40K to ValleyCDC

FLORENCE — Florence Bank recently contributed $40,000 to the Northampton-based Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC), a nonprofit corporation formed in 1988 to address the shortage of affordable housing and the needs of the community through economic and housing development.

Valley CDC serves Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties for homeownership and small business services and primarily Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, and Easthampton for affordable housing development.

The bank’s donation to Valley CDC will help support its ongoing work, which includes creating affordable housing and providing financial education to first-time and existing homebuyers, foreclosure prevention services to struggling homeowners, and offering small business services.

Last year, Valley CDC worked with over 200 local small businesses and 250 first-time home buyers with education and counseling. It built 80 affordable apartments in Northampton, has 30 affordable homes under construction in Amherst, and plans to have another 120 apartments built over the next four years.

Queer Joy Collaborative’s Winter Ball coming up

NORTHAMPTON — The Queer Joy Collaborative will hold its Winter Ball on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m., at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St.

The event is a chance to support the LGBTQ+ community through an evening filled with performances, dances and community connection. The highlight of the night will be special performances by the Rhythm & Radiance Kids Chorus and the Queer Joy Chorus, followed by dancing to the beats from local DJ Greg Stewart. Additionally, QJC merchandise will be for sale, and a silent auction featuring items from local creators will be held.

All ticket sales and auction proceeds will fund the Collaborative’s programs in music, art, and mutual aid. Tickets are on a sliding scale from $10 to $35, and everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay. Tickets are available at https://www.queerjoycollaborative.org/winterball .

The Queer Joy Collaborative is dedicated to promoting individual and collective queer joy primarily through the power of art, music, and mutual aid. Queer joy encompasses the  spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of individuals and the community. The Collaborative celebrates diversity and elevates queer voices, nurturing collective strength and solidarity.

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