91��Ƭ Associates – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Family Resource Success Center Offers Free Tax Prep

Michelle Lang — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:44:52 +0000

Filing taxes can be complicated and intimidating, which is why so many Americans use tax preparation services. Those services can be costly, however, and take a large percentage of a tax return or put an even greater burden on the amount of money owed. To help low-income individuals properly file their taxes, 91��Ƭ’s Family Resource Success Center offers free tax preparation services for those who qualify through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which has operated for more than 50 years and is conducted nationally.

Qualifying individuals are able to make an appointment through the Family Resource Success Center to drop off their documents for the certified IRS tax preparers to work on the returns. Once completed, the clients are given a time to pick up their documents and the tax preparer explains why the client is receiving money back or owes money to the government.

Harlina Tucker receives disability, has difficulty using her hands because of carpal tunnel syndrome and says she isn’t very internet savvy. As a resident of 91��Ƭ Associates, 180 South Orange Ave., Newark, she learned about the free tax prep service from her Resident Services Coordinator.

“I didn’t even know that I could do taxes,” Tucker said. “This is the first time since I’ve been on disability that I’ve been able to do taxes. So it is very informative. And she told me a few other things that I probably can do so I can pay taxes in the future.”

Patrick Taylor has used the free tax prep service at 91��Ƭ for two years.

“The service is very good. I recommend people to come here because they’re quick, they’re pleasant and they’re very professional. They do a great job,” he said. “They tell you if you owe or not and if you do owe, what to do. They explain it. They’re very patient with people.”

Sam Gaddy has been getting his taxes done at 91��Ƭ for five years.

“They’re very accurate. I’m always satisfied when they do my taxes,” he said. “If there are any discrepancies, they go far and beyond just to help you out.”

VITA Tax Preparer Yolanda Aguilera is from Newark and explained that the service is meant to help low-income residents properly file their tax returns without having to pay large amounts.

“Some of the paid preparing companies, they’re taking 20 percent to a third of their returns a lot of times. And these people just can’t afford it,” she said. “I think this is just a perfect way to help them financially. Financial literacy and education are super important, especially in these low-income and disenfranchised areas and so VITA represents a future and creating generational wealth and understanding amongst Black and Brown people.”

91��Ƭ began offering free tax preparation nearly 20 years ago in partnership with Paradise Baptist Church in Newark with Bishop Jethro James.

Family Resource Center Director Joann Williams-Swiney said tax prep clients also fill out an intake form to determine if they can take advantage of other services.

“We’re not only providing the very valuable tax service to residents but also making sure that they’re connected to other services that they may need that they may not know we provide,” she said. “It’s important to us not to just cover the basic tax return but to cover whatever else they may need in order to move forward and be successful financially.”

The center has many services and referrals available, including financial literacy, benefit screenings, SNAP (food stamps), energy and water assistance, lead abatement, homelessness assistance and prevention, rental assistance, substance abuse services, health care, prescription drug programs, prenatal programs and advocacy, among many others.

Volunteers are an important part of the free tax prep services. Williams-Swiney said without them, the program would not be possible. This year Ronald Johnson, Adela Miller and former 91��Ƭ employee Tyrone Green are volunteering.

“We thank them for their service,” Williams-Swiney said.

In the first month of offering free tax preparation services, the Family Resource Success Center saw 106 clients. The service will be available until the tax deadline, which is April 18.

The free tax preparation is offered by appointment only Tuesdays and Thursdays for drop off and Fridays for pick up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals can call the Family Resource Success Center at 973-565-9500 to make an appointment. The center is located at 274 South Orange Ave., Newark. Click to see the flyer for additional information, including eligibility requirements.

Harmony House Receives Walmart Grant

Michelle Lang — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:19:33 +0000

Children who live in Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, will benefit from a $1,500 grant from Walmart. File photo of the Harmony House after-school program.

Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, received a $1,500 Community Grant from Walmart to expose residents to art, recreation and other cultural experiences.

The facility received the grant Dec. 29 from the Walmart in Kearny and will use it in 2018.

The Walmart Foundation offers Community Grants in eight different areas. Harmony House received funding for Quality of Life, which the Walmart Foundation defines as “improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low income individuals and families in the United States.”

Assistant Program Manager Dametria Wertz researched various grant opportunities that could benefit Harmony House and applied for the funding Dec. 14. After completing an eligibility quiz, she filled out the grant application online. 91��Ƭ two weeks later, the $1,500 award arrived.

The money will be used to further enhance the programs offered at Harmony House and allow residents to have experiences they might not have otherwise had.

“Harmony House residents, specifically the children, will be able to be exposed to the arts, something they may not have otherwise had an opportunity to achieve,” Wertz said. “It will open their minds to more than just their surroundings, be an escape from their reality and inspire them to change their reality. Hopefully it will help inspire a child to pick up a pencil or a paintbrush, write, dance, act, sing and create.”

91��Ƭ Chief of Health and Social Services Arti Kakkar is grateful to have received the grant, which is the first Walmart has awarded to Harmony House.

“We want to thank Walmart for their donation because every small bit counts to enrich the activities for our young kids,” she said.

Community Grants from the Walmart Foundation range from $250 to $2,500. In addition to Quality of Life, the organization offers funding in the following areas: Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating, Health and Human Service, Education, Community and Economic Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Public Safety and Environmental Sustainability. Management at the local Walmart facility make funding recommendations.

From NCC Volunteer To Full-Time Employee

Michelle Lang — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:14:37 +0000

Anne Moran became a care coordinator at Associates June 1. Before that she worked as a Home Friend and volunteered at the Family Resource Success Center.

Newark resident Anne Moran has moved up within 91��Ƭ, going from a volunteer referred through the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) to a part-time worker to a full-time employee.
Moran became a care coordinator at 91��Ƭ Associates, 180 South Orange Ave., Newark, June 1. In that position she conducts home visits of residents to check on them and ensure their apartments are well kept, updates residents’ medication changes, files weekly and monthly reports and assists with creating the building calendar.
She filled a void at Associates that had been left since March 1, 2017, when longtime resident Elnora Haynes died. She had helped Care Coordinator Lourdes Fuentes fulfill the duties of an additional care coordinator role. After Haynes’ passing, Fuentes, who is now a care coordinator at Manor Senior, needed help and the decision was made to hire another care coordinator for Associates.
Moran was working part-time as a Home Friend at that time, providing light housekeeping and running errands for three senior clients per day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., when Health and Social Services Assistant Director Donnette Burrowes-Williams asked her if she was interested in applying for the full-time care coordinator position. She jumped at the chance.
“I like office work,” Moran said. While she didn’t mind the work she did as a Home Friend, she said, “I like to learn different things. And I’m a quick learner.”
Her application came with good recommendations.
“Anne is a wonderful and beautiful person to work with and she truly excels at anything she puts her mind to. It was truly my pleasure to have her as an employee,” said former Home Friends Program Coordinator Doreatha Wertz. “I know that she will be a wonderful care coordinator because she cares about people and their needs.”
Former Home Friend client Shirley Kellam, who lives at Commons Senior, agrees.
“She was like a daughter that I didn’t have,” Kellam said. “I enjoyed being around her.”
Kellam said Moran did grocery shopping for her and always called to ask about purchasing substitutes if she couldn’t find exactly what was on the list.
While Kellam misses Moran, the two have stayed in touch. “I’m glad for her,” Kellam said.
Family Resource Success Center Director Joann Williams-Swiney referred Moran to Burrowes-Williams when she learned about the care coordinator position. Moran had been a volunteer at the center since April 2014. Even after becoming a Home Friend in March 2015, she stayed on as a volunteer at the center in the afternoon.
“Anne is one of those individuals who comes along that truly embodies the mission of 91��Ƭ. She sees our purpose for us being in the community and she wants to help out,” Williams-Swiney said. “She had a desire to help out and that’s why she continued on.”
Williams-Swiney said Moran was loved by her peers and clients at the Family Resource Success Center. While Williams-Swiney will miss Moran, she’s grateful she had the opportunity to become a care coordinator.
“I miss volunteering at the Resource Center,” Moran said. But she is still involved in NJ SHARES, a nonprofit that partners with organizations like NCC to help families in financial crisis pay their energy bills. She was the main point of contact for that program while volunteering.
Moran is enjoying her care coordinator role. “So far, so good,” she said.

Editorial: Honoring Elnora Haynes

Michelle Lang — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 18:23:29 +0000

Editorial By Monsignor William J. Linder
Elnora Haynes was truly one of a kind. It is with deep sadness that the 91��Ƭ family mourns her loss. Her influence was felt far and wide.
I first met Elnora many years ago at 91��Ƭ. She was a faithful member of the 91��Ƭ Senior Advisory Board and her gift of leadership shined. She and the other leaders from NCC’s senior buildings brought their concerns to each month’s meeting, representing their respective senior buildings in Newark, Orange and Jersey City.
For 19 years, Elnora humbly volunteered as a social services aide at her building, 91��Ƭ Associates, where she touched every single person who walked through the door. She was such a positive influence. She worked tirelessly as a voice for the most vulnerable members of our society—seniors and disabled residents—and ensured that their needs were met, whether it was material, emotional or spiritual. As a person of deep faith, Elnora received satisfaction from witnessing others being successful. It was in giving that she experienced the most joy.
In local politics, Elnora served as a district leader in a way that exemplified the very best of civic engagement and community activism. Very rarely do you have a district leader like Elnora, whose sole motivation in holding the post was to serve others and not to stroke her own ego. In a time where we see so much selfishness, Elnora was a refreshing presence.
Elnora represented what we are trying to be here at 91��Ƭ. She not only challenged others, she also inspired them.
It was a privilege to have Elnora briefly stay at 91��Ƭ Extended Care Facility. She took care of others and it was our turn to take care of her.
Whatever age limited, it didn’t limit Elnora’s spirit even at age 82. She passed away just two weeks before her 83rd birthday.
After the funeral service on March 8, I met with Elnora’s loved ones gathered at St. Joseph Plaza for the repast. As they embraced each other and offered words of comfort to everyone who came to honor Elnora’s legacy, you could plainly see her positive influence radiating from her family, right down to her great grandchildren. A slideshow created by her family showed photo after photo of Elnora with her grandchildren, who were obviously very close to her. She transcended age with ease.
Elnora Haynes truly represented the best of 91��Ƭ. May we honor her life and legacy by “loving thy neighbor” in the way that she taught us, which was as an outpouring of her love and devotion to the Lord.