VITA Reimagined, auction planning, and more!

COVID-19 had quite an impact on our work here, and the impact had on our VITA program is no exception. Please read the press release below from Ruben Garza for more information regarding this year's free tax filing process:

VITA Reimagined There is no way to say it but frankly: United Way of Windham County will not be offering in-person Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for the 2020 tax year. After auditing our internal systems and capacity, experimenting with different assistance models, pursuing partnerships with other local VITA programs, and seeking guidance from the IRS for a potential hybrid drop-off/in-person model, the in-person model was thwarted by COVID-19 precautions and limitations. We understand that this is hard news for our community. United Way of Windham County believes in its VITA program wholeheartedly; and is saddened at the implication of not having an in-person VITA program. We know all too well the force for good that the VITA program has had for the individuals and households we have served over the years. However, the void of an in-person income tax assistance program has left an opportunity for a reimagined VITA program. United Way of Windham County, in partnership with the IRS, TaxSlayer Pro, and Vermont 211, is pleased to offer a 100% free online alternative. If you have always wanted to try your hand at filing your Federal and State tax returns, or have done so in the past, you can now request a software package that will allow you to file any Schedule, at any income tax bracket, from anywhere you have internet connectivity at absolutely no cost to you. Have reservations about doing it alone? Do not fret, you are not doing it alone. United Way of Windham County wants to make sure that you get every credit and deduction that you are entitled to. Understanding that this tax year will be a challenging one, having to file Unemployment Insurance or figuring out the tax ramifications of Economic Impact payments(?), United Way of Windham County is also pleased to announce a Tax Assistance Help Line. In concert with the free software, you can call our Tax Assistance Help Line and get connected with a volunteer income tax preparer that will guide you through the basic steps of using the software and filing your Federal and State returns. To get connected with United Way of Windham County’s free online VITA program, you must have access to a computer, smartphone, or tablet and a valid email address. To request the free software, please email: vita@unitedwaywindham.org. A reply email will contain the link to the free Tax Slayer Pro software and further details regarding the Tax Assistance Help Line. Please contact United Way of Windham County Director of Development and Community Impact, Ruben R. Garza at ruben@unitedwaywindham.org or by phone at (802)257-4011 for more information about volunteering with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The mission of the United Way of Windham County is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Working with volunteers, donors, service providers, businesses, and others; United Way is creating HOPE for Windham County by investing in health, opportunity, prosperity, and education initiatives. For more information, visit www.unitedwaywindham.org.

For the Love of Baskets! We are hard at work designing an online auction fundraiser! Our "For the Love of Baskets" auction will offer a great variety of local products bundled together for maximum enjoyment! Stay tuned for sneak peeks as we gather donated items! The auction will run the week of April 19th, and there are still sponsorship and item donation opportunities. These opportunities comes with online and print shoutouts, and donated item showcasing from mid-March - the end of the auction! Contact Brandie Starr bstarr@unitedwaywindham.org for more information, or to sign up to be an item donor or sponsor! PS ~ Adorable pups will not be included in the baskets ;)

2,700 Masks Donated! We were lucky enough to receive three thousand masks to donate this winter, and even better, we were able to get two thousand seven hundred to Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Windham Central Supervisory Union, and Kuzmeskus bus company! We still have a decent stock, email bstarr@unitedwaywindham.org if interested. Preferably 50 masks minimum.

Brandie E. Starr Outreach & Marketing Associate

New Staff on the Block In July we welcomed Brandie Starr (She/Her/Hers) to our team as our Outreach and Marketing Associate. Brandie spent 10 years at Brattleboro Savings & Loan, beginning in the Customer Service department, and moving into the role of Executive Assistant to the President & CEO Dan Yates, as well as the role of Marketing Manager. Brandie then spent a year and a half at Groundworks Collaborative as the Outreach Case Manager, and is finishing out her fourth and final year on the Brattleboro Selectboard. Brandie is a born and raised Vermonter, living in Brattleboro for 11 years, and in Windham County for 20 years. She is mom to two vivacious kiddos, and is fully committed to equity and inclusion for all of her community members.

COVID-19 Vaccine Sign Up (ages 75+) In an effort to help eligible Windham County Residents feel comfortable with the online process of signing up for the COVID-19 vaccine, we created an introduction video and coupled it with the State's video, to provide more complete instruction for both creating an account and making the appointment. Our staff are standing by for any calls that might come in as well, and 211 will send us calls from folks needing a bit more assistance signing up. Please share this video with anyone in your life who may need it!

News from Local Organizations

PUBLIC NOTICE FROM BHP: The Brattleboro Housing Partnerships will be accepting initial waitlist applications for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) wait list effective Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 8:00am and will be closing the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) wait list at 4:30 pm on Monday March 15, 2021.  Applications will be made available beginning February 16, 2021 at 8am. Applications may be received by calling the Brattleboro Housing Authority at 254-6071 between 8am and 4:30 pm. Monday through Friday. You may also apply on-line by visiting our website at: brattleborohousing.org. Our office remains closed due to the pandemic, so we will not be able to issue any walk-in requests.  You must either live, work or have notice to work in the following communities to receive our residency preference, yet all are eligible to apply. Residency preference includes the towns of Brattleboro, Vernon, Guilford, Halifax, Marlboro, Newfane, Brookline, Putney, and Dummerston.  A limited number of Section 8 vouchers will be available specific to those households with a member that has a disability and is under 62 at the time of application. If you believe you qualify, you will need to complete the initial Section 8 application to be considered.

Building Bright Futures (BBF) is Vermont’s early childhood public-private partnership established by law to monitor the state’s early care, health and education systems and to advise the Administration and Legislature on early childhood policy.  BBF serves as a statewide backbone organization, bringing early childhood stakeholders together to work collectively toward a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated early childhood system. Read their latest report by click here: 2020 How Are Vermont’s Young Children and Families?

From the bottoms of our hearts, thank you. We can't do what we do, without you.