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Tuesday, February 4, 2025 --Tracey Magaraci Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines addresses attendees at ESR's EITC Awareness Day event. On Friday, January 31, more than 55 people—including several notable community figures from Winston-Salem—gathered with Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) to celebrate Annual EITC Awareness Day. ESR hosted a lunchtime event featuring Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. Cathy Drabble from United Way and members of Leadership Winston-Salem also attended. During the event, Mayor Joines read the 2025 City of Winston-Salem Proclamation, officially recognizing EITC Awareness Day. Marsha Smith, Chair of ESR’s Board of Directors, and Executive Director Fred Bazemore participated in the proclamation reading. Mayor Joiness with ESR Executive Director, Fred Bazemore Mayor Joiness with ESR Board Chair, Marsha Smith, and ESR Executive Director, Fred Bazemore Shirley Abdullah, the VITA Program director, highlighted one of the event’s unique aspects: attendees witnessed the VITA program in action, as several taxpayers had their returns prepared on-site. Members of the Leadership Winston-Salem Action Team were also present. This initiative is developing a system to recruit, onboard, and retain volunteers, which will be invaluable to the VITA Program because the volume of returns ESR’s VITA program can process directly depends on the volunteer workforce. The celebration informs the community about the importance of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income families and promotes ESR’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program—also known as Forsyth Free Tax. Many of those who are eligible to have their tax returns prepared at a VITA site are also eligible for the EITC. The EITC is a refundable tax credit that eligible low-income taxpayers can receive as part of their refund, even if they owe no taxes. As the IRS website explains, “Tax credits are amounts you subtract from your bottom-line tax due when you file your tax return. Most tax credits can reduce your tax only until it reaches $0. Refundable credits go beyond that to give you any remaining credit as a refund. That's why it's best to file taxes even if you don't have to. Many people who qualify for refundable credits miss out on refunds because they don't file.” ESR’s VITA program prepares free tax returns for low-to-moderate income taxpayers. The volunteer tax preparers are IRS-trained and certified each year to be sure they have the most recent tax knowledge. Although most returns processed at VITA sites are straightforward, the program also handles additional filings—such as prior year and amended returns—after the April 15 tax season conclusion. In addition to saving money by not going to a professional tax agency, taxpayers who utilize a VITA site can connect with other services in the community if they have the need and interest. This year, ESR’s VITA services are available at two sites: a walk-in location at ESR and an appointment-based service at the central library.

GET IT, AND GET IT RIGHT WITH FREE TAX HELP AT A VITA SITE! Winston-Salem, North Carolina — Workers may get a larger tax refund this year because of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). But to get it, you must file a tax return and claim it. Friday, January 31, 2025, is EITC Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about EITC and free tax preparation sites. This year, the IRS is promoting EITC and providing information on other refundable tax credits that you may be eligible for. EITC, or Earned Income Tax Credit, is a refundable credit. This means that if you qualify for the credit, you can get the amount you qualify for whether you are required to file or not, even if you're not expecting a refund. This is in addition to any other refund you may be due. However, you will not just automatically receive a check -- you will have to file a tax return. Last year, approximately 803,000 North Carolina taxpayers received about $2.25 billion in EITC or an average of $2,800 in EITC per taxpayer. You might qualify for EITC if you worked last year and had a joint income of less than $66,819. EITC can mean up to a $7,830 refund when you file a return if you have qualifying children. Workers without a qualifying child could be eligible for a smaller credit up to $632. Why is it important to have an EITC Awareness Day each year? One-third of the EITC population changes each year. The IRS estimates that only four out of five workers claim the EITC they earned. This leaves billions of dollars on the table each year. We want to get the word out to those who are eligible to file a tax return even if they don’t owe any tax to claim the EITC. It’s money workers can use for groceries, rent, utilities, and other bills. EITC is complex. It varies by income, family size, and your filing status. To be eligible, you must have earned income or certain disability income. This means you must have income from working for someone or working for yourself. Volunteers – trained by the Internal Revenue Service – ask you the needed questions to find out if you qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits. Volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites , also prepare and e-file (electronically file) your tax return at no cost to you. "Our community volunteers help you get EITC and the maximum refund you’re due. Our goal is to help you get it and get it right. This is money you can save or use to pay off bills, buy that car to get to work or make a down payment on a home. Let us help make your life a little easier, “said Shirley Abdullah, VITA Program Director at Experiment In Self-Reliance, about ESR's VITA site. Visit our free tax preparation sites at: Experiment In Self-Reliance, 3480 Dominion Street, Winston-Salem NC Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Fridays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Walk-In ONLY! No appointments Forsyth County Public Library, 660 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem NC Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM By Appointment Only! No Walk-ins OR: Find a volunteer free tax return preparation site at IRS.gov Locator Tools Call 211 or 311 to find a volunteer free tax return preparation site   Bring the following to make sure our volunteers get you the right amount of credit you deserve: A valid driver's license or other photo ID card Social security cards, a social security number verification letter for all persons listed on the return Birth dates for all persons listed on the return All income statements: Forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security, unemployment, and other statements, such as pensions, stocks, or interest, and any documents showing taxes withheld All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interest, or real estate taxes Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund Dependent childcare information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker's SSN or other tax identification number If you purchased coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace , Form 1095-A PDF , Health Insurance Marketplace Statement Both spouses to sign forms to e-file a joint tax return

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - On Halloween, Thursday, October 31st, Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR), in conjunction with Mechanics & Farmers Bank and its community partners, proudly hosted their 1st annual Trunk or Treat event at Mechanics & Farmers Bank, located at 770 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC. This fun-filled afternoon invited families to enjoy a safe and festive Halloween experience while learning more about the important work ESR does. "I’m here to provide the kids with a safe place to come and engage with other community members while collecting candy," said Chief William H. Penn, an ESR Board Member and Chief of the Winston-Salem Police Department. "We are celebrating Halloween in a fun, safe environment, and all the participating community agencies not only talk about loving kids but also demonstrate it by engaging with them. "Trunk-or-treat events are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. Parents of young children especially appreciate these Halloween gatherings. Families can stroll among cars decorated for Halloween and let their children experience the excitement of trick-or-treating without the stress of navigating their neighborhoods. Little ghosts and goblins can put on their costumes and collect candy without getting tired. "It’s wonderful to see a community come together to support one another, and to watch children enjoy themselves, knowing there are people who stand behind them and their families is powerful, especially in this community," shared Dr. Phygenia Young, another ESR Board member. Through this event, we were able to provide a fun experience and delicious candy to many children and families, thanks to our community partners, which included Mechanics & Farmers Bank, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department, the Winston-Salem Police Department, Sifted Sugar, Inc., United Way, the Delta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Children’s Law Center, and the ScottCares Foundation. As ESR celebrates 60 years of serving this community, these efforts enable us to continue providing essential services to clients and fulfill our goal of facilitating access to education, homeownership, and free tax preparation for individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. Experiment in Self-Reliance is a non-profit agency chartered in 1964 and has been supporting the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community for over 60 years. Our mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for low-income and homeless individuals. We are dedicated to creating a judgment-free zone and treating everyone with respect, all while pursuing our vision of reducing poverty and homelessness in our community. To learn more or make a donation, visit us at  www.eisr.org  or give us a call at 336 722-9400. #END

ESR’s self-reliance programs meet clients where they are in their lives, and provide education and resources to help them overcome obstacles to become self-reliant. Case managers at ESR offer counseling that addresses a wide variety of life circumstances, helping clients learn to recognize and make good choices as they are faced with difficulties. Programs Steps to Success Orientation: The collection of general information and a surface level needs assessment as the first step in determining eligibility and suitability. Intake: The in-depth interview to retrieve information in preparation for making a program enrollment decision. Needs Assessment: The in-depth analysis of information gained during intake for the purpose of insuring eligibility and suitability. Documenting major needs and concerns. Case Staffing: Enrollment decisions are made during this phase when eligibility and suitability; issues are fully determined. Enrollment/Referral: Process by which the case plan is designed for action by the client and case manager. Case Plan: Listing of short-term objectives and long-term goals; Action steps, benchmarks, client and case manager responsibilities. Case Management/Service Delivery: Implementation of programmatic services that lead to social and economic self-sufficiency. ESR’s self-reliance programs meet clients where they are in their lives, and provide education and resources to help them overcome obstacles to become self-reliant. Case managers at ESR offer counseling that addresses a wide variety of life circumstances, helping clients learn to recognize and make good choices as they are faced with difficulties (or windfalls!). Counseling includes but is not limited to education options, preparing for employment improvement (job readiness), budgeting, stable and appropriate housing options, financial literacy and personal/emotional support. ESR offers social and cultural activities to facilitate client engagement in the community. ESR’s programs provide holistic support for people who want to rise above poverty and break the cycle of generational poverty. This means working with the whole household or family. ESR looks at the whole picture to understand what success, stability, and upward mobility look like to that household. Then ESR tailors emotional, social, educational, and financial resources to fit the needs and goals of the client. However, clients are held accountable for their own progress, as well. New Century IDA Assists individuals and families in Forsyth County become more financially stable and build assets that will continue to grow in value become first-time homeowners or enhance your small business. You’ll receive economic literacy training and support. Forsyth Fre e Tax Prepares basic tax returns each year during the tax season for low-income residents, its clients and general public. Taxes are prepared and electronically filed by trained volunteers at a variety of local sites. Self-Sufficiency Designed to help low-income working households to escape poverty, increase their standard of living and their social and economic self-reliance. You can expect one-on-one counseling to help meet your goals. Empowerment Series Our goal is to provide financial literacy sessions that fit your needs and schedule. Sessions will challenge, teach, and prepare you for the future.

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There are many ways to get involved at ESR and support our mission, you just have to find which one works best for you! Join our team, become a volunteer, be an intern, or become a client! Support Our Mission Get Involved There are many ways to get involved at ESR and support our mission, you just have to find which one works best for you! Check out the different opportunities we have available for you to participate below! Donate Events ESR has several events and trainings throughout the year. Check out our complete list of upcoming scheduled events and trainings. Volunteer We are fortunate to work with volunteers who aim to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Everyone has a unique set of gifts that allow them to serve others. Be an Intern From time to time we are able to bring interns from a variety of higher education programs such as social work, sociology, psychology and marketing. Gain hands on experience working with the community and understanding the challenges and fulfillment of helping clients. Join our Team Would you like to learn more about a career at ESR? Check our Open positions .