Volunteers will receive IRS-certified tax preparation software training through a self-paced online class (approximately 30 hours). In exchange, volunteers commit to assist taxpayers for two to four hours most weeks between January and April 2012, at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Greater Nashua.

Volunteers who complete the training will assist filers with preparing their 2011 federal income tax returns and help determine whether they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Free tax returns prepared by coalition volunteers for tax year 2010 brought more than $2.74 million in refunds back to Nashua residents.

“Becoming a volunteer tax preparer is a great way to gain valuable experience, help families save money, and benefit our entire community,” said GNABC Coordinator Ray Peterson, vice president of United Way of Greater Nashua.  Greeters and support staff also are needed and require only minimal training, he said.

For more information or to sign up, contact Peterson at 603-882-4011, or ray@unitedwaynashua.org.

Trained volunteers help income-eligible Nashua-area residents file their federal tax returns.

On April 26, 2011, the United Way-Youth Venture-Nashua Community College program hosted a group of emerging leaders from Kazakhstan.  It was truly a pleasure to explain the program and its community benefits to our visitors through their translators.  The guests work with youth in various capacities, including cultural preservation, volunteerism, and youth civic engagement. They were so enthusiastic to hear more about the Venture teams in our community.  In fact the mission of our Urban ABC’s team from Souhegan High School is almost identical to that of a group in Kazakhstan.  Urban ABC’s works to promote respect for public property and align a positive feeling about graffiti as a form of art. They are teaching ‘graffiti’ art classes and also sell hats, t-shirts and stickers to generate a profit for their Venture team.  We look forward to having these two groups collaborate even if only electronically for idea sharing.

Other discussions surrounded around how we introduce the program at our schools and also how we prepare the students for their presentations.   There was also interest about United Way’s role in this partnership and in the community as a whole.

Many of these organizations in Kazakhstan are seeking funds and I was able to share some of our best practices in Greater Nashua.  The group also talked about connecting with Youth Venture and its parent company, Ashoka. They are hoping to enhance existing programs and move forward with others that Kazakhstan youth want to put in motion.

Overall it was a wonderful opportunity to show our united front in working to inspire and encourage youth in our respective communities!

Alyssa Johnson (left), with visitors from Kazakhstan and Tim Horgan, Program Director for the World Affairs Council of NH (back row, left)

by Allison Lanza, Nashua Community College student

“When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something” – I noticed this quote on a bright sunny morning in Tennessee on the way to one of the job sites, and it rang strongly in my mind.  In the midst of all of the terrible events going on in the world, there is still so much good and selflessness that exists and it is clear that is exists in  Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

In Lawrenceburg, I had the privilege and honor to  spend my spring break with a group of amazing individuals from Nashua Community College.  Our purpose was to serve the community with Habitat for Humanity of Lawrence County through various tasks, including building a fence, spackling walls of a house, cleaning up yards, and shoveling out dog feces with our hands.  To some it may seem a small gesture having your yard cleaned or house washed, but to these people, it was a gift and a huge help for them, and for that they were truly grateful.

The array of emotions generated from our experiences were both overwhelming and humbling.  We all gained a new perspective on what it means to be thankful for family, friends, and what we have been given.  This experience was made so much more memorable with the help of parishioners from area churches who provided us with meals, insight, and good company, and we owe them a huge Thank You.

Students LIVE UNITED on Spring Break. Back Row: Marie Boasman, Shirley Silva-Paige (service learning advisor), TresaAnn O'Connor, Charlie Costa and Gary Jameson. Middle Row: Allison Lanza, Jessica Daley, Wendy Davis and Tom Rowe. Front Row: Jeniffer Castro and Alyssa Johnson (United Way-Youth Venture-Nashua Community College partnership specialist).

The plane ride home was bittersweet.  Our group was sad to say goodbye to Lawrenceburg, this little gem that we called our home for that week, but we were also excited to share our experiences with our school and community.  I know that I left feeling whole; with a full belly southern food, my heart filled with gratefulness, and an experience that could never be replaced.

The grant will be applied to several United Way-supported programs that collectively serve more than 5,000 children, youth, and families in Greater Nashua and produce positive outcomes, including enhanced learning skills, improved grades, more self-confidence, and better risk avoidance.

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Volunteers will receive IRS-certified tax preparation software training through a self-paced online class (approximately 30 hours). In exchange, volunteers commit to assist taxpayers for two to four hours most weeks between January and April 2011, at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Greater Nashua.

Volunteer tax preparers assist Nashua-area workers with their federal returns.

Volunteers who complete the training will assist filers with preparing their 2010 federal income tax returns and help determine whether they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  Free tax returns prepared by coalition volunteers for tax year 2009 brought more than $2.47 million in refunds back to Nashua residents and yielded $524,000 in EITC claimed on 1,800 returns. Returns can be filed electronically at the tax preparation sites, which speeds refunds.

“Becoming a volunteer tax preparer is a great way to gain valuable experience, help families save money, and benefit our entire community,” said GNABC Coordinator Ray Peterson, vice president of United Way of Greater Nashua.  Greeters and support staff also are needed, he said.

For more information or to sign up, contact Peterson at 603-882-4011, or ray@unitedwaynashua.org.

GNABC members include AARP Tax-Aide Program, Triangle Credit Union, United Way of Greater Nashua, the Internal Revenue Service, City of Nashua, Nashua Pastoral Care Center, University of NH Cooperative Extension, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, Harbor Homes, Adult Learning Center, NH Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services, YMCA of Greater Nashua, and Southern NH Services.

The coalition is seeking participation from a wide variety of community members involved in and/or interested in improving Nashua and area towns  by coordinating efforts to reduce substance abuse.

The meeting will feature:
- an interactive presentation on prescription drug abuse
- reports on the coalition’s progress and its future as Beyond Influence
- Red Ribbon Week events to help communities make a collective stand against alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. 1500 tulip bulbs will be planted at local schools, parks, and community buildings in honor of those who work to enhance drug and alcohol prevention efforts.

Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Donna Arias, coalition coordinator, 882-4011 x36; donna@gncpc.org.

Keynote speaker Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run, spoke about Empowering and Inspiring Young People to be the Changemakers the World Needs.

Magic Aces, a team from Souhegan High School in Amherst, NH, presented its proposal for seed funding before a selection panel, and was approved for $1,000. The team performs magic shows for free at elderly homes, fundraising events, and hospitals, and for profit at birthday parties and other venues. They will donate 10 percent of all profits to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

View photos on our Flickr page.

Souhegan HS students Hannah DePietro and Nathaniel Levin present their United Way Youth Venture team proposal for Magic Aces to a panel.

United Way works with many partners – nonprofit agencies, community groups, state and local government, volunteers, and others – to improve and strengthen our community. The annual fund-raising campaign, which the team will oversee, is a crucial component of United Way’s work and officially launches on September 15, 2010. Fitzgerald, Kelly, and Tighe bring a wealth of experience in resource development and fundraising . . . (read more)

United Way's new Campaign Associate Team: Liz Fitzgerald, Julie Kelly, and Deb Tighe