 FREE Tax Preparation:
No cost, no catch! 
As part of United Way's goal to help local residents keep more of their hard-earned dollars and gain financial tools to build assets, savings and hope, our CA$H Coalition provides FREE tax preparation services each year.
People and families with an annual household income below $49,000 can have their taxes prepared for FREE by IRS-certified volunteers. Last year, VITA volunteers helped return $15.5 million in tax credits and savings to hardworking families in the Greater Capital Region!
Our guarantees:
- A rapid refund with direct deposit
- Many sites with convenient hours throughout the Greater Capital Region
- Savings bonds and financial management tools available on-site
For the tax preparation site closest to you, just call 2-1-1 (a free call) or visit the CA$H Coalition online!
This service is provided through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, which is coordinated locally by United Way, the CA$H Coalition, AARP Tax-Aide and the IRS, with support from Bank of America.
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Mary O'Keeffe with Congressman Paul Tonko (left) and Albany Co. Executive Mike Breslin |
CA$H Coalition honors Union Professor for volunteer tax preparation support
On January 8, United Way's CA$H Coalition launched the Tax Season with a salute to the volunteer tax preparers who help local individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Last year, more than 250 volunteers helped return more than $15.5 million to local low- and moderate-income families - and to the local economy.
This year's kickoff event honored Union College Economics Professor Mary O'Keeffe, who established a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at the college and engaged her students in tax preparation as a service learning project. Since the Union College site opened for the 2005 filing season, student tax preparers have completed more than 1,000 tax returns free of charge for low- and moderate-income working families and senior citizens. For her volunteer leadership, O'Keeffe was presented with the "Wally Award" named for long-time VITA volunteer Wallace Donnelly who passed away on December 30, 2009.
Click here to view event photos on Facebook (no account needed). For local media coverage of the event, check out "United Way in the News" on the right!
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| What's new with your local United Way? |
Dear Friends:
 In our last newsletter, I shared how United Way of the Greater Capital Region is changing the way we create and measure change in our community. (If you didn't receive our last newsletter, click here to read about our Community Impact Transformation.)
Our new Community Impact work will not happen overnight. In December 2010, we concluded 12 months of inquiry, examining impact and data, and investigating how we can apply our unique assets to strengthen our community. We have listened to our community to create our goals for change: in the last year, we have solicited guidance and input from many social and business sectors, all with the goal of bringing the community together to develop a common agenda that creates opportunities for a better life for all.
United Way convened groups that explored existing research to develop initiatives for collaborative programs in the areas of Education, Income and Health (which are the building blocks for a healthy life and strong community). Early ideas for potential initiatives range from early childhood education, to financial literacy for people with low to moderate incomes, to childhood health care and access to resources for good health.
These recommendations will soon be vetted by panels of local subject matter experts, then submitted to our board this spring. By the end of this year, we hope to bring together partners, funding, and volunteers to launch one of the initiatives.
We have challenging work ahead of us, but the goal at the end is non-negotiable: changing the conditions in our community to assure children are successful in school and life, families are capable and health disparities are minimized.
As we move forward, this e-newsletter will serve to update you. Through your donations of time, talent and treasure, you play a key role in this process.
This process is driven by our community, and your input is extremely valuable. Please click here if you have thoughts or questions. Thank you for your support and for helping make the Greater Capital Region stronger through United Way.
Best regards,
Kathy Pelham, CEO
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United Way Welcomes New Community Mobilization Director
United Way of the Greater Capital Region has added Tamae Memole to our staff in the newly created position of community mobilization director.
In her new role, Memole will be responsible for coordinating United Way's activities in the priority areas of Education, Income and Health. To advance United Way's role as a community problem solver, Memole will work with business, government, not-for-profit, and community leaders in the Capital Region to develop effective shared strategies and mobilize resources to address critical issues in the areas of Education, Income, and Health.
To learn more, click here to visit our website. Welcome to United Way, Tamae!
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February 2011: It's United Way 2-1-1 Month! 
United Way is celebrating during February 2011 as 2/11 becomes 2-1-1 month!
This valuable service, coordinated by United Way of the Greater Capital Region, has helped thousands of upstate New York residents access needed social services since it was launched in April 2009. In the last year alone, more than 11,000 callers were connected to services through United Way 2-1-1.
Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings will kick off Albany County's celebration with a proclamation at our call center (located at Family and Children's Service of the Capital Region in Albany) on February 1st at 11 a.m.
On February 11th, Albany County Executive Michael Breslin will proclaim February as 2-1-1 Month for the county and talk about one of the many benefits of the 2-1-1 service. In fact, United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region will be recognized with proclamations in all twelve counties it serves. 2-1-1 is one easy number to call for free, confidential assistance for all non-emergency issues. Check our website for more updates on United Way 2-1-1 month events.
United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region is a free, confidential information and referral source for health, human and crisis services. To learn more about 2-1-1, visit our website.
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In This Issue...
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Five Second Survey
How do you support your community? Click here to participate in our Five Second Survey!
Last time, we asked: What community issues concern you the most? Click here to see what people had to say! Special thanks to all who participated.
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Upcoming Events
Throughout February: FREE tax preparation days in Albany County
Click here for dates and times (make sure you view the February calendar!)
Albany Devils game to support United Way February 20, 4:00 p.m. at the Times Union Center in Albany
Click here to register
To learn more, click here.
For more, visit our Calendar of Events |
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United Way in the News:
Doing Your Homework on Charities
United Way CEO Katherine Pelham explains to Fox 23 News how to do your homework before giving to charity. Click here to view the video!
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Kickoff
Fox 23, CBS 6 and News 10 joined us for this great event. Just click the links above to view stories. |
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Support United Way 2-1-1 and the Albany Devils on Feb. 20!
All you hockey fans out there... time to cheer for the home team at the Times Union Center on Sunday, February 20th as the Albany Devils take on the Adirondack Phantoms. The Albany Devils, AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, have partnered with United Way to thank those who participated in United In Action in October at the North Swan Street Park in Albany. We'll have great info and fundraisers all night, so don't miss out! Join us for a great game as we support United Way and our home town team.
Click here for tickets! |
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