Tax Assistance Project Returns $86,280 To Local Families

The volunteer income tax assistance program provided by the Family Financial Literacy Coalition, a program of Community Link, has helped return $86,280 in federal tax return funds to 58 families and Anson County. Anson Women's Center was the local partner in providing the assistance service.

Certified tax preparers provided FREE and FAST electronic filing for 58 households earning under $49,000/year between late January and the April 15 filing deadline. Cumulative federal returns to the 58 filers totalled $86,280. Twenty of the filers qualified for Earned Income Tax Credits contributing $31,614 to the total.

Family Financial Literacy Coalition volunteers were trained and tested in current tax law using IRS materials prior to providing services to qualifying filers.

Resource Center Now Open

AAnson Women’s Center held a grand opening celebration Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at its Lockhart-Taylor Center location at 514 N. Washington Street, Wadesboro.

A joint initiative of New Ventures Business Development, Inc., and South Piedmont Community College, the Anson Women’s Center serves as a regional resource and advocacy facility for individuals and families. Staff work with other community agencies to help clients find the services they need to build confidence and become self-sufficient.

“The purpose of the center is to help people reach their full potential, both personally and professionally,” said Lois Crumpler, director of the Anson Women’s Center and the Anson County Outreach Coordinator for New Ventures Business Development, Inc. “The center welcomes any adult, male or female, who comes for information or assistance.”

Glenda Horton Manning, a nationally-known motivational speaker and author of children’s books, was the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony. Manning has spoken in Wadesboro before, and the message she delivered during one of those programs is often credited with sparking the HOLLA! movement in Anson County. HOLLA (Helping Our Loved Ones Learn and Achieve) is a grassroots organization focused on raising educational standards and expectations for today’s youth.

Additional women on the program included Crumpler; Anna Baucom, chairman of the Anson County Commissioners; Lula Jackson, director of the Anson County Department of Social Services; Lynn Edwards, executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce; Donna McNair, retired educational administrator; Lynn Horton, former mayor of Wadesboro; and Sandy Huntley, director of the Lockhart-Taylor Center and South Piedmont Community College continuing education services for Anson County.

Rob Rollins, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Wadesboro, offered the dedication prayer. Rollins is a certified trainer in Bridges Out of Poverty and leader of the local Circles of Hope program targeting generational poverty.

To learn more about the Anson Women’s Center, visit www.ansonwomen.org or call 704-272-5463.