March 8 is Dollars and Sense Day at Hartford Public Library

On Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. the City of Hartford, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and The Village for Families & Children will host Dollars and Sense Day at Hartford Public Library Downtown, 500 Main Street in Hartford. The event is free, open to the public and part of the 2014 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Campaign and MyFreeTaxes. Both services help lower-to-moderate wage earning families work toward financial security.

The library sponsors a VITA site during the campaign, offering free tax assistance for households earning up to nearly $52,000. Dollars and Sense Day is an opportunity to assist as many tax filers in one day and to provide working families access to other services that help make ends meet. In addition to free tax preparation with an IRS-certified volunteer or on one’s own at www.myfreetaxes.com/unitedway, Bank of America volunteers will provide financial budget coaching, and other volunteers will assist families with benefits screening. Families and children may enjoy guest read-a-loud sessions, complimentary refreshments, several prize drawings, kids’ activities and more.

People will also be able to access the CT Works One-Stop Career Center, located at Hartford Public Library to assist with employment services such as job searching, resume writing and workshops. 

“It’s great to collaborate with The Bloomberg Philanthropies Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund, United Way and The Village on this important initiative,” said Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra. “This event is a great opportunity for families to receive free, financial information such as assistance about tax filing, job opportunities and credit reports. All these areas help Hartford families save money and increase earned income.” Walk-ins are welcome throughout Dollars and Sense Day. Those without an appointment for free tax preparation are also encouraged to attend and will be assisted on a first come, first serve basis with the last appointment beginning at 1 p.m.

“Dollars and Sense Day will deliver financial know-how to those in our community who could truly benefit from such expertise,” said Kevin Cunningham, Connecticut president, Bank of America. “This program puts money back in the pockets of our neighbors – strengthening the community and the local economy.”

A ceremony to welcome families will include: Hartford’s Mayor Pedro Segarra and Susan B. Dunn, president and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut; Galo A. Rodriquez, president and CEO of The Village for Families & Children; Matt Poland, CEO Hartford Public Library; Dean G. Andrews, Senior Vice President of Bank of America; and a representative from Bloomberg Philanthropies/Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund.

Individuals who are unavailable on March 8 may call 2-1-1 and press 3 to see if they qualify for free tax preparation and make an appointment at a convenient site. Assistance is offered in Spanish and Polish at some sites. Refunds are available in seven to 10 days. For more information on getting tax help, visit www.unitedwayinc.org/freetaxrefunds. Please spread the word to working families who may qualify.

2014 VITA and MyFreeTaxes partners: Bank of America and its Foundation; Bloomberg Philanthropies and Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund; City of Hartford/Opportunities Hartford Initiative; Community Accounting Aid and Services; Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; Human Resources Agency of New Britain; Internal Revenue Service; Liberty Bank Foundation; United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut; United Way of Connecticut/2-1-1; The Village for Families & Children; Walmart Foundation; and, Webster Bank.