Views from the Northwest Bronx

Since 2006, UNHP has welcomed Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows from Fordham’s International Political Economy and Development (IPED) Master’s program as three-semester interns. Fordham University offers the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship to selected returned Peace Corps volunteers. The Fellowship Program has benefited both the Fellows and UNHP.

UNHP assisted 1,422 households file their taxes for free this year. 2016 was our 9th tax season and one of the great privileges of offering this service has been able to work with people over the years. Meet three of our returning clients, Nicole, Elle and Patricia.

The UNHP Free Tax Preparation Program depends on the generosity of our college student volunteers. Students from Fordham University, Manhattan College and Lehman College take a 15 hour on-line training as well as an 8 hour in person training before they begin working with tax filers. Meet Maimouna, one of our 80 student volunteers, who have trained for the UNHP program in 2015.

UNHP's 2014 Free Tax Preparation Program was a resounding success! UNHP and our partners Ariva and Fordham Bedford Community Services helped clients receive $1.7 million in fee-free refunds, and access our wide range of financial education programs. Over 80 VITA trained student volunteers from Fordham University and Manhattan College provided the tax power for our program. As UNHP's 2014 tax season draws to a close, we reflect on the privilege of meeting and assisting over 1,400 residents in our community.

UNHP had the opportunity to file taxes for some long-time Bronx residents, who shared a slice of their life history and good humor.

Veronica and Mavis were both in a despairing frame of mind about their financial struggles. One woman facing eviction and the other worried about how she was going to pay her tax bill, came to UNHP to file their taxes for free and breathed a sigh of relief with the results.

In addition to our tax days held at the Northwest Bronx Resource Center at Refuge House, UNHP takes our free tax prep program on the road to accommodate Bronx seniors living in local partner senior housing developments. The senior or HUD 202 Housing offers affordable, independent-living rental units for low income senior citizens. UNHP partners with Rose Hill Apartments, Serviam Gardens, Edison Arms and Msgr. Fiorentino Apartments.

UNHP has been comparing the people we serve in our tax and other programs with the demographic trends in the Bronx. Devon, as a high school graduate and college student, outperforms much of his neighbors in Bronx Community District 7, where 1/3rd of community residents do not have a high school diploma or GED. Upon college graduation, Devon will be among the 18% of Bronx residents with a Bachelor’s degree. Like much of the rest of the Bronx, Devon’s wages have been stagnant and his building has had periods of financial and physical distress.

Debra made a good living as senior document specialist – good enough to raise her four children and afford to live in her beautiful Norwood Bronx apartment of 23 years. Then she was downsized.

A pen set and community organizers have a special connection to UNHP, the Northwest Bronx, and Dollar Savings Bank. That story, and its connection to our 30th Anniversary Celebration, brings our event full circle.