This year, growing numbers of workers will qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) because their income declined or they experienced unemployment. The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for working individuals and families with low-to-moderate incomes. Last year, the program lifted an estimated 6.6 million people out of poverty — including 3.3 million children— making this tax credit one of the largest anti-poverty federal measures in the U.S. To help workers claim the EITC and other tax credits, the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to low-to-moderate income working families with the help of trained volunteers. Goodwills across the country are currently training hundreds of volunteers to help members of their community to prepare their taxes this season.

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When I was in middle school, a local elementary school was looking for volunteers to assist students in its after-school program. Most of the volunteers were adults; however, because I knew the counselor running the program, I was given the opportunity to help. Thus began my first mentoring role — tutoring one of the students through engaging activities. I remember feeling proud when the student passed a test we'd studied for together, or when I was able to teach someone a new way of solving a math problem. The experience taught me the rewards of empowering others to achieve their potential, and marked the beginning of my passion for mentoring.

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