Meet ESR's dedicated staff team, leadership, and board members! Experiment in Self-Reliance Staff Front Row (left to right): April Marlin, Alicia Anthony, Fred Bazemore, Tonya Oliphant, Shadowe Magaraci, Saundra Adams Second Row (left to right): Hilda Moore, Delores McCullough, Nicole Rhinehardt, DeJuana Eastland, Nikita Wallace, Bryon Harrison, Verona Gordon, Melinda Hash, Janet Ashe, Kimberly Hardy, Janet Carlton, Myriam Hall Not Pictured: Shirley Abdullah, LaTonya Amos Management Team Shirley Abdullah Forsyth Free Tax VITA Manager Fred Bazemore Executive Director Melinda Hash Self-Sufficiency Manager Delores McCullough Employee Relations Manager Nikita Wallace New Century IDA Manager Tonya Oliphant Finance Director Administrative Team Saundra Adams Administrative Assistant Janet Ashe Fiscal and Compliance Associate Shadowe Magaraci Executive Assistant/Data Analyst Self-Sufficiency Team Verona Gordon Receptionist/Resource & Referral Agent Myriam Hall Success Coach/Outreach Kimberly Hardy Orientation/ Eligibility Specialist April Marlin Success Coach/Outreach Coordinator Nicole Rhinehardt Success Coach/Outreach Antionette Sheppard Success Coach/Outreach Melinda Hash Program Manager New Century IDA Team First-time Homeownership and Small Business Programs Alicia Anthony Data Manager & Administrative Assistant Janet Carlton IDA Homeownership Success Coach Charlene Funderburk Small Business Success Coach Nikita Wallace Program Manager VITA Forsyth Free Tax Team Shirley Abdullah Program Manager LaTonya Amos Program Assistant

Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) is a Non-Profit Community Action Agency dedicated to empowering social and economic self-reliance for low-income citizens in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community. About Us Our Mission & Vision Experiment in Self-Reliance is a non-profit agency that was chartered in 1964 and has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community for over 60 years. Our mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for working low-income. We are committed to creating a judgment-free zone and treating everyone with respect, all while pursuing our vision of reducing poverty in our community. Who We Serve ESR serves the low-to-moderate-income population of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Clients must meet eligibility criteria (income level, etc.). We attempt to connect everyone who walks through our door with the resources they need to attain or regain self-reliance. This could be through enrollment in our programs or referral to another service provider whose programs are more suited to the individual’s needs. We are a Community Action Agency and a United Way Agency. Our History ESR was chartered in 1964 and has served the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community for more than 50 years, working to eliminate poverty and homelessness, and help people help themselves. Like its sister Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the nation, ESR was born out of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964. In North Carolina, ESR was one of the original 11 CAAs supported by Governor Terry Sanford’s North Carolina Fund. ESR’s growth during the 1970s and early ‘80s was assured under the leadership of the legendary community servant Louise Wilson. Its mission was preserved and fostered through the 1980s and early ‘90s by Bob Law. ESR played a pivotal role in launching such integral local organizations as Head Start, Crisis Control, TransAid, Legal Aide in its early years before transitioning to the Senior, Youth and Emergency Assistance Services of the middle years. Its efforts under the leadership of Executive Director Twana W. Roebuck aimed to bridge the gaps in welfare-to-work, including promoting long-term self-sufficiency for the working poor, housing for working and chronically homeless, first-time homeownership, tax services, vocational and college education, and Hispanic/Latino services. ESR has been here for the community and its families. We serve hundreds of families in a variety of situations that many of us could conceivably find ourselves in—victims of house fires and domestic violence, those who have encountered a major financial setback due to health care costs, those who have experienced a change in life circumstances such as divorce or death of a family member, and people who are caught up in the endless cycles of generational poverty and chronic homelessness. As ESR passes its 60th anniversary and looks forward into the next half century, the expectation is that it will continue to lead in community action in Forsyth County, and continue to provide a safety net and a hand up to those in need. Our Partnerships As a community leader, ESR collaborates with many community agencies to ensure the growth and enrichment of the community. This helps us ensure that community members can be connected with agencies that are best equipped to provide services for them. Additionally, collaboration limits gaps and overlaps in service that can be wasteful. Below is a partial list of ESR’s partnerships. Partners marked with an asterisk (*) are agencies with which ESR is currently involved on an ongoing basis. At any given time, ESR is actively seeking community connections through which to serve the community and support our programming. Fund Sources City of Winston-Salem Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Department of Labor FEMA Forsyth County Local Banks MDC/EITC Carolinas Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust NC Department of Health & Human Services(OEO) RJ Reynolds/Reynolds American United Way of Forsyth County Winston-Salem Foundation W-S Community & Business Development Dept. Referral Partners Crisis Control Ministries Goodwill Industries greeNest Of Winston-Salem* Legal Aid of North Carolina Local Faith Community* Rescue Mission Samaritan Ministries The Salvation Army Urban League Training, Referral Source, In-Kind American Red Cross Career Connections and Prosperity Center* Department of Commerce Department of Employment Security Forsyth County DSS Forsyth County Health Department Forsyth County Mental Health Department Forsyth Technical Community College* Goodwill Industries* JobLink Career Center* Local Faith Community Lou Baldwin Realty NC Cooperative Extension* Next Step Ministries Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC Salem College* Veteran’s Administration* Wake Forest University* Winston-Salem Housing Authority* Winston-Salem State University* W-S/Forsyth County Homeless Council* Workforce Development Board* Coordinated Intake Center (CIC) * Forsyth Free Tax Resources/Sites Career Connections and Prosperity Center Goodwill Industries Internal Revenue Service Local Banks Local Libraries Malloy Jordan Heritage Center Mi Casa VITA/EITC Engagement Committee Walnut Cove Senior Center Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind Winston-Salem Transit Authority IDA Partners/Resources Center for Home Ownership (CHO) Financial Pathways of the Piedmont* Forsyth County Housing Department* Habitat for Humanity IDA Work Group* Local Banks Local Realtors* NC Housing Finance Agency NC IDA Collaborative* "We believe that every person has the potential to overcome their circumstances and achieve their dreams." 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Meet ESR's dedicated staff team, leadership, and board members! Meet our Executive Director and Board Chair Fred Bazemore Executive Director Frederick D. Bazemore is the Executive Director at Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). Prior to his promotion to this position in May 2024, Bazemore had served in leadership roles at ESR for over 20 years, being the agency’s Director of Programs and Operations from 2011 to 2023, and the Self-Sufficiency Program Director from 2003 to 2011. A native to Tarboro, North Carolina and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Bazemore earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration. Prior to joining ESR, Fred spent his early career years as a former Senior Regional Portfolio Property Manager, Senior Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Director and Housing Finance Director. His greatest strengths are i ntegrity, consistency, experience and having a great knowledge about the clients we serve that allows the agency to continue to build trust and solid relationships through honesty and consistency. The new Executive Director extends his commitment to non-profit work beyond his employment through his community activism, serving on many boards and committees that focus on issues around employment, housing, transportation, financial literacy, economic development, and education for the low-income residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina. Fred is a former member of the Piedmont Triad Workforce Development Board and currently serves on the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) Board of Directors, the “CARES” Project Board of Directors, and serves as the Western District Chairman for the NCCAA. When not advocating for the low-income in the community, you can find Fred the “Avid Golfer,” as many know him, on the golf course, participating as an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center. Aimee Smith Board Chair Aimee Smith was born and raised in Albemarle, North Carolina. She attended University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she studied Political Science and History. She graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law school in 2002. She has been with the firm of Craige Jenkins Liipfert & Walker LLP since 2002 and is a partner in the firm. She practices in the areas of elder law and estate planning. In addition to serving as the Board Chair for Experiment in Self-Reliance, she currently serves on the Salemtowne Board of Directors and serves as Secretary for the Shepherd’s Center board. She previously served on the board of Financial Pathways of the Piedmont. Aimee believes that the mission of Experiment in Self-Reliance is more important now than it has ever been as more people find themselves living in poverty and unable to afford housing. Experiment in Self-Reliance provides a valuable service to the community by helping lift community members out of poverty and helping them work toward home ownership. As Experiment in Self-Reliance celebrates its 60th Anniversary, Aimee’s primary goal for the agency during her term as chair is to pay off the remaining mortgage on the agency’s building so that ESR can have a bright, debt-free future.

EVENT ROOM RENTAL INFORMATION ARE YOU A NON-PROFIT OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, CORPORATE MANAGER, GROUP LEADER, OR JUST A PERSON LOOKING FOR A GREAT LOCATION TO HOST A MEETING, TRAINING SESSION, RECEPTION, EVENT, ETC.? ESR IS THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR OCCASION! Click here for more information

Tax FAQ Have a question about filing your tax return? We can help! Here are some Frequently Asked Questions. Have additional questions? Give us a call at 336-722-9400 . Question: Am I required to file a tax return? Answer: To determine if you are required to file a tax return will depend on several factors, including your age, gross income, filing status, and if you are a dependent on someone else’s tax return. To get more specific information on who must file, check out IRS Publication 501. Question: What is the difference between the standard deduction and itemized deduction? Answer: A standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount based on the taxpayer’s filing status that lowers the taxpayer’s taxable income. The standard deduction is a benefit that eliminates the need for taxpayers to itemize deductions such as medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. Itemized deduction allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income based on specific personal expenses such as medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. Most taxpayers have a choice of either taking a standard deduction or itemized deduction whichever gives the taxpayer the lower taxable income and lower tax amount. Question: Will I receive a tax form if I had a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace? Answer: If a taxpayer or anyone in the taxpayer’s household is enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Form 1095-A will be issued. This form will be mailed from the Health Insurance Marketplace and not the IRS. If you have not received Form 1095-A, contact the Health Insurance Marketplace (800-318-2596) or visit the website https://www.healthcare.gov/. Question: What do I do if I have been a victim of identity theft? Answer: If you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 extension 245 immediately. Question: When are tax returns due for the tax year 2025? Answer: Taxpayers will have until Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 to file their 2025 tax returns. Question: How can I check the status of my tax refund? Answer: The taxpayer can check the status of a tax refund by using the Where’s My Refund? tool (https://www.irs.gov/refunds). Where’s My Refund? tells the taxpayer if their tax return has been received and if the IRS has approved their tax return and/or sent the taxpayer their tax refund. Question: What if I am unable to pay the taxes that I owe? Answer: It’s important that taxpayers still file a tax return even if the taxpayer is unable to pay the taxes owed. Failing to file a tax return will result in penalties and interest. If the taxpayer is unable to pay taxes owed, the IRS has multiple payment options including installment agreements. For additional information, taxpayers may call (800-829-1040) or visit the IRS website .

Your donation stays here in Forsyth County. These funds help provide assistance to clients in need of purchasing food vouchers and bus passes, for deposits on utilities, rent deposits, assistance with childcare for a working parent, uniforms for work or school, tuition, books, and other services to help meet our clients’ immediate and long-term needs. Donate Now more than ever, ESR needs your support Your donation stays here in Forsyth County! Generally, your monetary contributions go directly to client assistance funds. These funds may be used for purchasing food vouchers and bus passes, for deposits on utilities, rent deposits, assistance with childcare for a working parent, uniforms for work or school, tuition, books, and other services to help meet our clients’ immediate and long-term needs. For information on how to donate items, call (336)-722-9400. For more ways to give, see giving options below. Annual Fund General giving goes to the area that has the most need. Your gift, plus the gifts of others, can mean the continuation of a program, the addition of new programs or activities to help citizens of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County to lift themselves from poverty, help meet the needs of a family throughout the year, or provide for a host of other vital services in our community. Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society Louise G. Wilson served as ESR’s Executive Director from 1968 until 1985. Over the course of her career and throughout her life, Wilson dedicated her time to advocating for the needs of the poor. Her legacy of service and commitment to the community proceeds her. The Louise G. Wilson Legacy Society is reserved for donors who contribute $1,000 annually. Donation Form First name Last name Street Address Street Address Line 2 City State/Province/Region Postal / Zip code Email Phone Select Your Campaign Annual Fund General Support Louise Wilson Legacy Society Program Support (please specify) Other (please specify) If your gift is in support of a specific program, please indicate the program here: This gift is In honor of (please specify below) In memory of (please specify below) Not applicable If your gift is "In honor of" or "In memory of," please specify here. Enter the amount you wish to donate: $ Go to Checkout Your donation helps us continue the mission of ESR! Thank you!

Community Outreach Success Coach Primary Role: The Community Outreach Success Coach will be responsible for all direct work with clients and serve as liaison with other collaborating partners such as Goodwill. This individual will assist CSBG eligible clients in developing a case plan, work closely with the client to achieve the benchmarks in the case plan, by providing timely counseling and appropriate intervention in order to assist each client in successfully completing their case plan. The Community Outreach Success Coach facilitates referral services and consults with immediate supervisor regarding any client that may need additional developmental planning to achieve self-sufficiency. Reports to: Self-Sufficiency and Family Advocate Service Manager Organizational Effectiveness Maintains minimum of (42) caseloads. Provides written documentation for enrollment process. Provides programmatic statistical data by funding source to Program Service Manager monthly. Maintains monthly contact with clients to monitor case plan progress. Assists in the development of the case plan by monitoring, evaluating, modifying case plan when necessary. Maintains working knowledge of programs, guidelines and other related regulations pertaining to the clientele. Utilizes supervision effectively. Maintains accurate case files as defined by program guidelines and maintain CARDS computerized client record system conducive to NC ROMA principles. Performs other duties as requested by management. Enhancing Community Collaboration Provides ESR core services onsite for collaborating partners. Serves as the liaison on partner agency committees that serve the underserved citizens. Ambassadorship Serves as an ambassador for the Experiment in Self-Reliance and respects the integrity of the organization. Serves as a team player in furthering the mission of the organization. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, crawl, bend, stoop, climb, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms, here. The employee frequently required to sit and talk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is rarely exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Specification The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation that may be used in the performance of duties. Qualifications: Must be an experienced caseworker with a 4-year college degree. Have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must have working knowledge of computer data entry process, Microsoft programs, and other related software programs. Provides programmatic statistical data by funding source monthly. Researches grants relevant to program.

Become a Volunteer! Every year, ESR is 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, and we are happy that you are interested in sharing your gift with others. Become a Volunteer With your help, life here in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County can be better for everyone We are always in need of volunteers! Every year, ESR is 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, and we are happy that you are interested in sharing your gift with others. For additional information on volunteer opportunities, click here . We also occasionally have interns from local colleges/universities to join us. If an internship interests you, please check with your adviser, who can then make the contacts to arrange your internship with ESR. Volunteer Interest Form First name Last name Email Phone I am interested in volunteering for the following Clerical/Administrative Tasks Outdoor Maintenance Tax Preparer Special Events Other (please specify) Submit

From time to time, we are able to bring on interns from a variety of higher education programs such as social work, sociology, and psychology. Through internships, we can offer students hands-on experience working with the low-income community. Become an Intern Hey There! Through internships, we offer students hands-on experience working with the working and low-income community. Students are exposed to nearly every aspect of the day-to-day function of a nonprofit community action agency. Interns can expect to be part of the team participate in job shadowing, along with direct client contact. Activities and tasks may vary while working in different departments. Interns might also serve as assistants for program activities, public speaking at events and information fairs. I nterns are required to sign privacy documentation. Internships are usually arranged through a student’s instructor or counselor. If your program requires internship or volunteer hours, but your instructor(s) leave the arrangements to the student, we can work with that as well. If you need assistance arranging an internship that your program has approved, please contact Delores McCullough at (336) 722 - 9400 Ext 124 Monday through Thursday or via email at delores. mccullough@eisr.org (no spaces).

VITA Tax Program Assistant Primary Role: The VITA Tax Program Assistant is a knowledgeable and experienced tax preparer who assists the VITA Program Manager in the total operation of the VITA Program, ensuring compliance in keeping with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and agency policies to provide support to individuals and families. The program works to help individuals and families connect with valuable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, etc., and free tax preparation. Reports to: VITA Tax Program Manager, with guidance from the Director of Agency Operations, and Executive Director Essential Responsibilities Prepare and submit tax returns for clients. Schedule clients’ appointments. Advise clients about the tax preparation process. Assist clients with IRS communications. Audit all tax forms for completeness, accuracy and electronic acceptance. Assist with volunteer recruitment. Coordinate volunteer recognition tools for volunteers. Provide tax preparation assistance to tax sites when applicable. Assist with error resolution, tax preparations, e-filing, contacting taxpayers, and responding to tax questions. Maintain tax resources and distribute to individuals and tax sites, when applicable. Maintain volunteer database, ensuring certifications are complete before distributing software access information. Provide guidance to volunteer seeking training resources. Perform other duties as requested by management. Experience/Certifications: Possess a bachelor’s or associate degree in accounting or business administration. Previous experience with tax preparation preferred. Certified or ability to become an IRS-certified tax preparer. Key Competencies: Ability to multi-task, including strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, and the ability to meet deadlines. Exceptional interpersonal skills, including developing relationships with organizations and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong focus on detail and accuracy; deadline oriented. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and build strong working relationships. Demonstrated experience in effective communication - both written and verbally. Demonstrated ability to work and function with confidential information and data. Proven comfort level with learning new software applications and systems as necessary. Proficient with Microsoft Office, tax software, volunteer tracking and appointment platforms. Ability to process tax returns in a virtual environment (includes scanning and uploading/downloading documents).

Experiment in Self-Reliance resource documents. Strategic Plan | 990s | IDA Application Resources New Century IDA Application Interest & Notification DOWNLOAD ESR Strategic Plan 2022-2023 DOWNLOAD ESR's 990s DOWNLOAD

¿Está listo(a) para dar un paso hacia el cambio de su vida? El ESR puede ayudarle. ¡Ahora ofrecemos sesiones de orientación en español!!! Las sesiones de orientación están ubicadas en Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). Spanish Speaking ¿Está listo(a) para dar un paso hacia el cambio de su vida? El ESR puede ayudarle! Las sesiones de orientación están ubicadas en Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). Nuestra dirección es: 3480 Dominion St. Winston-Salem, NC 27105. Para obtener más información, llame al (336) 722 - 9400. Ready to take a step towards changing your life? ESR can help! Orientation sessions are located at Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). Our address is 3480 Dominion Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105. For more information, call (336) 722-9400.