Katy Dickinson

http://blogs.sun.com/katysblog/date/20090416 Thursday April 16, 2009

Tax Day at SMUM

Santa Maria Urban Ministry (SMUM) hosts a variety of community support programs in San Jose's inner city, including food distribution, a preschool, Studio 17 (the homework and computer club at which I volunteer on Thursday afternoons), and clothing distribution. The small building is thoroughly used! Last night, Lewis headed up the VITA volunteer team at SMUM, helping to prepare and electronically file income tax returns on America's Tax Day.

In VITA's own words:

      "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers provide FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance to low-Income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. Volunteers get FREE classroom training during the Saturdays in January at the San Jose IRS Office in Santa Clara County, and certification by the IRS after satisfactorily completing an open book exam."

John was at SMUM last night taking pictures for their newsletter. He guessed there were 150 people speaking many languages in the very full computer lab, waiting area, and parking lot. Only a few people arrived too late for the electronic filing deadline (9 pm California time = Midnight East Coast time).

VITA at SMUM

VITA at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher VITA at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher VITA at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher

Studio 17 at SMUM

Here is the same SMUM computer lab being used by the kids of Studio 17:

Studio 17 at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher Studio 17 at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher Studio 17 at SMUM San Jose California
photo: copyright 2009 John Plocher

Images Copyright 2009 by John Plocher and Katy Dickinson

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