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 Autumn 2008
In This Issue
SPECIAL REPORT: 2007 CENSUS - POVERTY AND INCOME.
EITC needs volunteers
Call for Citizen Involvement
Message From Executive Driector
SPECIAL REPORT: 2007 CENSUS ~ POVERTY AND INCOME 
 According to the 2007 American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census,
one out of five Teampeans are living in poverty. 19.8% of our community! 
  This increased need presents an opportunity for our community to provide
additional help to our neighbors.
 
 
Upcoming Events

 
 photo of Pen Johnson
25th Annual Don Carlos Awards 
 Honoring
2008 Humanitarian of the Year 
Pen Johnson
and
 
Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy 
Tempe Diablos 
 
November 5,2008
5:30pm AZ Historical Society
 
call 480-858-2300 to reserve your seat now! 
      _________________
                         
 
06-07 financial 
Have Fun, Get Fit and Help Support TCC. Join Team Tempe! January 18, 2009 ~ P.F. Chang's Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon/Half Marathon   
Volunteers Needed!!

EITC Logo

Volunteer tax preparers are needed at free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites in Tempe and Guadalupe on Saturdays from January 24 to April 11, 2009. 
 
Every hour you volunteer brings an average of $395 in federal tax refunds to a hard working family in our community! 
 
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), returns money from overpayment of taxes to workers with modest incomes.  Free tax preparation and electronic filing are provided by volunteers as part of a coalition of Tempe Community Council, City of Tempe, Newtown Community Development Corporation, Tempe Schools Credit Union and the IRS.  Since the coalition was initiated six years ago, volunteers have helped bring nearly $7.4 million in EITCs back to working families.
 
Tax preparers must complete an IRS course in Tax Law and pass the IRS test.  This year, the 6 session Tax Law course will be offered from 9 am -12 pm on Saturdays - October 18 and 25, November 1, 8, 15  and December 6 at Tempe Schools Credit Union, 2800 South Mill Avenue in Tempe.  
 For more information and to sign up to volunteer, visit www.tempe.gov/tcc/taxhelp
 or call the EITC Hotline at 480/858-2323.

Call for Citizen Involvement
Tempe Community Council and the City of Tempe are looking for citizens to engage in a strategic planning process around the issues of Underage Drinking and Drug Abuse. Citizens from all walks of life, ages and experience are needed. You will work with your fellow Tempeans to determine the course of prevention activities in Tempe for the next four to five years. The commitment is for 12 hours over a six month period beginning in November. Planning meetings will take place at the Tempe Public Library from 4:00-6:00 on the following dates: Nov. 3; Dec. 2; Jan. 6; Feb. 3; Mar. 3; Apr. 7.   Please call Lynette Stonefeld at 480.858.2316 for further information or to register for the planning process.
Message from the Executive Director
Kate Hanley 
Kate 
Vice Mayor Shana Ellis Receives "Housing Hero" Award

Congratulations to Vice Mayor Shana Ellis for being awarded the Brian Mickleson "Housing Hero Award" for Elected Officials!  The award was  presented on September 10 in Flagstaff at the Annual 2008 GOVERNOR'S HOUSING FORUM.
 
Shana Ellis, a first term Tempe City Councilmember, former TCC staff member and Tempe native, has taken on affordable housing as her chief cause. As chair of the 2007-2008 Transportation, Housing and Environment council subcommittee, she sounded a call for unity and collaboration in the community.  Three forums on affordable housing have been held to bring together developers, the faith community and the community at large.  
 
Ms. Ellis asked Tempe Community Council to host an ongoing group, named "Keep the Ball Rolling", which focused on housing trust funds.  At Ms. Ellis' request, a proposal for a Tempe fund which would create an ordinance that would establish a Tempe Housing Trust Fund by June 30, 2008, an appointment by Mayor and City Council of an advisory board by September 1, 2008 and eventually identify a dedicated revenue source to fund the Fund.
 
The City Council accepted the proposal and directed city staff to develop a draft ordinance for a housing trust fund and implement the recommendations which is now in progress.
 
We commend Vice Mayor Ellis for providing leadership for her community at the right time and place! 
How You Can Help
Generous contributions from individuals like you help us deliver our mission of
connecting those in need with those who care.
   
TCC Home Page., click on "How to Donate" at the top of the page, OR click on the program names below to go directly to individual websites:
Tempe Community Foundation - provide a sustainable endowment for current and long-term human service needs. Please consider a legacy gift to Tempe.
Open Horizons - child care scholarships for parenting teens
Communities in Schools of Tempe/Kyrene - to promote community/school/parent relationships to encourage young people to stay in school and prepare for life.
Tempe's Help to Others (H2O) - give $1 or more on your water bill and give to those most in need
Cinderella Affair- making proms affordable to all.
 
NOTE: Funds contributed to Tempe Community Council may be used and/or distributed when and as Tempe Community Council deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, in furtherance of growing human service funds for Tempe.