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From YouTube: Boston Tax Help Coalition Kickoff 2018
Description
At the Codman Square Health Center, financial health is just as important as general health. The Boston Tax Help Coalition, Mayor Walsh and the city of Boston's Office of Financial Empowerment, are here to help low-income residents of Boston file their taxes and claim their tax refunds.
A
B
A
I
have
a
fortunate
privilege,
as
one
of
also
being
the
lead
financial
guy
over
at
the
Roxbury
Center
for
financial
empowerment,
which
is
under
the
mayor's
office
for
financial
empowerment.
So
it's
wonderful
that
everyone's
here
so
we'll
get
started.
I'm
gonna
have
the
privilege
of
introducing
the
CEO
of
Coggins
where
health
center.
C
So
Jason
Singh
has
the
privilege
of
introducing
me,
but
I
just
want
to
say:
Jason
has
been
the
rock
of
our
program
and
without
him
all
the
work
that
happens
at
our
tax
clinic
would
not
be
possible,
so
we're
honored
and
privileged
that
he
is
our
site.
Coordinating
he's
done
amazing
work.
So
thank
you
so
much
Jason.
C
So,
thank
you
all
for
being
here,
we're
happy
to
have
you
at
the
Kauffman
square,
Health
Center
and
as
I
mingle
with
folks.
Thank
you
and
welcome
to
the
great
hall
here.
This
is
the
official
launch
of
our
2018
season.
The
health
center
has
been
part
of
the
Boston
tax
help
coalition
for
over
17
years,
since
its
actually
started
its
work.
We
are
one
of
the
busiest
sites
in
the
city.
We
serve
a
very
diverse
group
of
taxpayers,
not
just
providing
free
tax,
but
also
asset
building
opportunities.
C
Cadman's
mission
is
to
serve
as
one
of
Boston's
largest
and
most
vulnerable
communities
with
affordable
quality
health
care.
That
cares
for
the
whole
person.
We
serve
23,000
patients,
we
open
seven
days
a
week
and
we're
providing
not
only
primary
care,
urgent
care
and
specialty
service,
but
a
host
of
other
services.
C
Today,
I
have
the
great
pleasure
of
bringing
back
one
of
our
favorite
neighbors
to
Codman
mayor
Marty.
Walsh
needs
no
introduction,
and
this
part
of
the
neighborhood
he's
very
he's
a
frequent
and
valued
guest
a
champion
of
the
work
that
we
do
here
re-elected
for
his
second
term.
The
has
been
a
lifelong
advocate
for
working
people
and
a
champion
of
the
diversity
that
we
see
at
Codman
every
day.
C
His
vision
for
Boston
is
a
city
of
equality
and
opportunity
for
all
and
since
taking
office,
he's
worked
tirelessly
to
create
good
jobs,
great
schools,
safe
streets
and
affordable
homes,
while
building
a
more
responsive
and
representative
and
transparent
city
government.
With
his
support,
the
Boston
tax
help
Coalition
has
been
really
a
real
value
and
asset
and
returning
millions
of
dollars
to
the
folks
who
need
it
in
our
neighborhood.
So
please
join
me
in
welcoming
Boston's
54th
mayor
Marty,
Walsh.
D
Thank
you
very
much.
Sandra
and
I'm
I
wanted
Chuck
I'm,
Sandra,
I'm,
indigo
and
I
said
every
time.
I
come
from
this
way.
I
spent
a
lot
of
time
in
this
in
this
Great
Hall
for
the
common
Square
neighborhood
council,
when
I
was
a
state
representative.
This
is
part
of
my
district
and
when
I
talk
to
people
and
I
said
well,
you
live
and
they
tell
me
I'm
like
oh
you
wouldn't
my
district
once
and
realizing
they're
in
my
district.
D
Now
is
the
mayor,
but
Sandra
and
I
also
Sandra,
just
informed
me
earlier
Sunday
we
have
a
little
football
game
that
we're
going
to
be
watching
and
I'm
a
little
superstitious,
and
she
said
a
year
ago
this
week,
I
was
in
that
we
were
in
this
hall
together
an
event.
So
that
might
be
a
good
sign
that
we
were
here
before
the
Patriots
game
show
if
we
win
Sunday,
it's
our
because
it's
an
to
myself.
So
thank
you.
D
I
want
to
thank
I
want
to
thank
just
a
bunch
people,
dan
dan
from
the
credit
union
from
my
friend
a
few
minutes
to
talk.
I
want
to
thank
Dean.
The
credit
unions
been
in
tremendous
partner
John
drew
from
ABCD,
has
been
an
incredible
partner
as
well
and
has
done
this
work
longer
than
than
most
people
in
this
room
and
I
want
to
thank
John
for
that.
I
want
to
thank
Mimi
in
the
city's
team
for
their
great
work.
They've
done
some
some
great
stuff
here
too.
So.
Thank
you.
D
All
I
want
to
thank
both
Carmen
squid
dot
well
and
the
Georgia
house
for
their
incredible
work.
Every
single
year
here
doing
this
stuff,
we're
joined
by
an
Easter,
sabe
joy,
City,
Council,
nice,
rossabi
George,
who
grew
up
not
too
far
from
here
as
well.
So
thank
you
Council
for
being
here,
Emily
shade
from
the
Commissioner
elder
commissioners
here
with
us
as
well
today,
Thank
You,
Emily
and
again
thanks
thanks
for
all
the
people
who
have
been
great
partners
here
in
the
tax
preparation
coalition
that
we
worked
here.
D
Carmen
square
plays
a
key
role,
certainly
in
the
tax
campaign
and
asset
building
over
the
years.
We
wouldn't
be
able
to
do
this
work
without
them
and
we
would
lose
work
but
honestly,
we're
a
lot
of
you
in
this
room
are
valued
partners
and
thank
you
for
what
you
do.
Every
day
today
we
launched
the
17th
tax
season
with
the
Boston
tax
help
coalition
and
our
coalition
partners.
D
We
have
34
community-based
tax
sites
which
provide
free
tax
prep
in
asset
building
for
services
all
over
our
city,
so
something
that
we
want
to
encourage
people
and
help
people
with
we
have
hundreds
of
trained
volunteers
ready
to
help
ready
to
help
residents
file
their
taxes
and
in
many
different
languages
as
well.
So
we're
going
to
continue
to
expand
so
we're
not
just
we
hitting
different
nationalities.
So
people
understand
that
importance.
We
especially
want
to
want
the
people
to
understand
the
value
of
their
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit.
It's
an
opportunity
to
get
great
credit.
D
We
credit
and
refunds
that
people
who
have
worked
hard
for
this
tax
credit
and
child
tax
credit
are
powerful
tools
to
help
lift
people
out
of
poverty
and
again
I
was
talking
a
little
while
a
little
bunch
of
different
people
here
today
about
the
opportunity
for
someone
needs
to
be
able
to
get
this
tax
and
it's
it's
almost
like
a
savings
account
for
people
that
they
weren't
expecting
in
it's
their
I
treated.
That
way
so
I
can't
you
know.
D
Over
almost
27
million
dollars
was
returned
directly
back
into
the
taxpayers
pocket
Baltimore's,
most
often
than
not.
This
money
spent
locally
people
when
people
go
shopping
and
spending
in
their
local
business
districts.
So
it's
important
that
we
do
that
and
we
also
help
people
feel
not
just
feel
the
economy
but
help
their
family
this
year,
we're
also
launching
Bank
on
Boston.
It
helps
provide
affordable
banking
access
to
residents.
D
We're
opening
a
bank
account
that
tax
sites
with
our
bank
on
partners,
including
here
here
at
departments
where
I
want
to
thank
Dan
and
his
team
at
the
credit
union
city
of
arts,
a
great
need
for
working
with
the
office
of
financial
empowerment.
To
make
this
happen,
it's
just
another
another
connection
that
we're
working
and
again
I
want
to
thank
everyone.
That's
here
helping
us
today,
our
local
organizations
I,
want
to
thank
the
nonprofit's
I
want
to
thank
the
volunteers.
D
No
one
think
the
IRS
have
been
extremely
helpful
with
this
program
and
really
encouraging
us
to
try
and
do
more
and
get
more
people
in
this
engaged
in
this
process,
because
it
is
important,
I
know
we
think
sometimes
think
about.
The
IRS
is
somebody
whose
wants
to
take
our
money,
but
this
shop
is
here
in
Boston
once
you
give
our
money
back,
so
thank
you
and
I
have
a
great
day
and
go
Pat's.
A
So
Thank
You
mayor
Walsh,
very
kind
words
really
hit
on
all
the
points.
Why
we're
here
to
help
the
community
and
return
that
money
in
build
economy
as
a
result?
So
it's
my
pleasure
now.
I
would
like
to
introduce
Dan
waltz
use,
a
name
the
president
of
the
City
Boston
credit
union
in
May
2017,
but
in
that
short
time
he
finished
huge
asset
to
us,
not
only
at
the
office
of
financial
empowerment
with
the
Boston
Tax
Health
coalition.
E
There
are
an
estimated
20,000
Boston
households
which
have
no
bank
or
credit
union
account
and
an
additional
estimated
51,000
which
are
considered
under
banked.
These
households
face
high
costs
and
may
be
subject
to
predatory
practices,
often
using
check
cashing
services,
a
typical
check,
cashing
location
charges,
a
10%
fee
to
cash,
a
check.
Now,
let's
think
about
that,
for
a
family
earning
$32,000
a
year,
the
cost
is
potentially
up
to
24
hundred
dollars
annually
just
to
cash
checks.
Bank
one
Boston
is
being
developed
to
provide
non-predatory
services
to
our
residents,
who
need
them.
E
City
of
Boston
credit
union
is
a
proud
partner
of
the
new
bank
on
Boston
coalition,
including
several
other
financial
institutions.
Eastern
bank
Santander
bank
of
America,
Boston
private
bank
and
trust
Webster
bank
Brookline,
back
East
Boston
Savings
Bank,
the
FDIC,
the
Federal
Reserve
Bank
of
Boston,
as
well
as
several
others.
E
E
Taxpayers
will
be
able
to
open
accounts
in
real
time
right
before
their
get
their
tax
return
completed
in
abling
them
to
directly
deposit
their
refund
into
a
newly
opened
checking
or
savings
account
city
of
Boston
Credit
Union,
along
with
our
fellow
Bank
on
Boston
coalition
financial
institution
partners,
are
honored
to
be
a
part
of
this
program
to
improve
the
financial
stability
of
unbanked
and
underbanked
residents
here
in
Boston,
a
special
thanks
to
mayor
Walsh,
the
office
of
financial
empowerment
and
the
mayor's
office
of
urban
mechanics
for
spearheading
this
most
important
initiative.
Thank
you.
A
A
B
My
name
is
Sandra
Luffy
I'm
refugee
from
Afghanistan
I
came
to
the
United
States
in
April
2016
and
was
visited
by
Riyadh,
the
refugee
and
immigrant
Assistance
Center
I
came
with
my
husband
and
family.
We
know
how
to
children.
I
got
my
PhD
from
Shia
based
University
in
Iran
and
I'm
thinking
a
fellowship
here
in
the
US,
my
husband
works
and
in
screen
cranes
leader
driving
for
uber
last
year
was
the
first
year
that
my
family
was
expected
to
file
taxes
with
the
IRS,
and
we
were
so
fortunate
to
reward
him
with
VI
and
Maitland.
B
With
the
Arabic
ambassador.
She
told
me
about
the
Boston
tight
tags,
help
collation,
free
tax
preparation
services
and
helped
me
to
understand
our
application.
We
got
our
taxes
done
at
urban
age,
one
of
the
equation
part
and
size.
We
were
so
pleased
to
learn
about
the
earth
contacts
greatest
and
then,
when
we
received
the
refundable
credit,
it's
made
a
significant
difference
in
our
return
because
back
5,000
from
the
IRS
and
were
able
to
save
some
money
for
the
new
baby
I'm
grateful
to
land.
B
My
ambassador
could
introduce
me
to
these
amazing
survives
with
the
Boston
thanks
theyself
correlation
I
was
also
able
to
work
with
rent
was
my
financial
guide.
She
is
helping
me
build
my
credit
and
help
me
obtain
a
secured
credit
card.
I
had
no
idea
before
I
came
to
liiike
where
to
file
my
taxes
and
what
the
advantages
are
of
having
good
credit
are
I'm
glad
that
person
tax,
help,
collation,
supported
my
family
and
assisted
us
with
free
tax,
preparation
and
credit
building
services
and
save
me
money,
as
we
will
count
my
new
baby
mitra.
B
F
F
Constance
Martin,
who
is
the
deputy
of
the
office
of
financial
empowerment,
also
wanted
to
recognize
the
IRS
and
Nerissa
Smith,
who
is
our
fearless
leader
and
Marlene
pogies
Jessica
Doonan,
who
is
the
chief
of
staff
of
the
disability
Commission
for
mayor
Walsh,
of
course,
Thank
You
mayor
for
being
here,
Boston
Housing,
Authority,
Rachel
Goodman
react
is
also
here:
the
United
Way
Way,
Gail,
Sokoloff
and
Boston
private
bank
and
trust
ADA
Frank
West.
Thank
you
so
much
I'm
sure
I
miss
our
people.
F
F
They
have
just
been
really
incredible
partners,
both
engaged
in
the
tax
coalition
for
17
years,
as
leaders
and
the
field
leaders
in
the
community
health
center
field,
as
well
as
innovators
and
strategic
partners
for
us,
for
the
tax
coalition
also
wanted
to
thank
Jamila,
puckerman
who's,
the
site
coordinator
here
at
the
Codman
square
tax
site,
she's
battles,
the
the
taxpayers
every
day
and
really
gets
people,
the
maximizes
their
credits,
and
so
thank
you
so
much
for
all
that.
You
do
thanks.
F
Just
also
wanted
to
give
a
shout
out
to
the
volunteer,
as
many
people
in
this
room
do:
tax
preparation,
they're
doing
credit,
building,
they're
doing
the
financial
checkup,
really
bringing
back
thousands
and
thousands
of
dollars
to
for
folks
in
the
community,
and
we
thank
you
for
that.
Also
just
wanted
to
tell
people
a
little
bit
about
some
good
news.
I
know
that
that
there's
a
lot
of
bad
news
going
on
nationally
and
we
can
get
disengaged
from
the
good
things
going
on,
but
just
a
couple
of
things
to
announce.
F
In
2015,
the
state
increased
the
state
Earned
Income
Credit
from
15
to
23
percent,
and
so
that's
thousands
more
dollars
for
the
community.
Also,
the
governor
is
increasing
an
increase
in
the
state,
a
ITC
to
30%.
That
is
something
that
we
in
the
city
have
supported,
and
that
mayor
Walsh
has
been
a
support
of
that
legislation
as
well,
so
that
there's
a
really
good
chance
that
that
will
go
through
this
year
and
that
would
be
a
big
victory
for
the
community.
Also.
F
The
other
thing
that
happened
this
year,
which
is
really
exciting,
is
that
we
were
able
to,
through
the
help
of
legal
services
and
the
Children's
Health
watch,
do
something
to
allow
domestic
violence
that
to
receive
the
state,
Earned
Income
Credit,
based
on
their
filing
status.
So
this
is
a
real
victory.
Also,
it's
going
to
mean
additional
money
cut.
Folks.
F
And
Keith
Keith
Chappell
from
the
children's
health
watch
is
here:
they've
been
a
real
leader
in
that
front
and-
and
they
have
been
just
so
amazing
and
in
in
providing
that
leadership-
just
want
other
things.
So
there
are
Flyers
here
around
the
circuit,
breaker
I
know
the
mayor
told
us
about
the
circuit
breaker
for
seniors.
We
have
fliers
for
that.
We
have
fliers
in
in
seven
languages
in
English
here,
because
we
do
this
with
the
Ambassador
Program
in
seven
languages.
F
The
next
speaker
is
John
Drewe
from
action
for
Boston
Community
Development
people
know
John
as
a
tireless
fighter
for
low-income
families
in
Boston.
He
is
the
ABC
DS
president
and
CEO
he's
been
a
national
figure
in
the
community
action
movement
for
more
than
thirty
years.
His
leadership
in
the
field
has
been
informed
both
by
his
professional
as
well
as
his
personal
experience.
John
comes
to
us
from
Charlestown.
He
grew
up
in
Charlestown
and
when
it
was
a
really
different
neighborhood
than
it
is
now
he
he
grew
up
in
public
housing.
F
He's
the
son
of
a
head
start
parent.
He
was
engaged
in
ABCD
since
the
60s
as
people
know,
ABCD
is
really
the
largest
and
the
most
effective
Community
Action
Agency,
really
in
the
country,
I,
would
say,
and
between
Sharon
and
John
and
folks
there
they
just
provide
a
made
amazing
leadership
for
us
and
in
both
the
city
as
well
as
the
region
has
helped
to
guide
ABCD
for
many
years
he's
an
adjunct.
Faculty
I
could
go
and
on
and
on
about
John,
but
I
don't
need
to
do
that.
So
just
thank
you.
John!
G
G
G
C
G
That's
the
folks
that
work
awful
hard,
probably
won't
get
much
out
of
a
new
tax
bill,
except
the
one
but
I
know
suddenly
route
senator
Rubio
put
in
there
I
have
to
see
it
worked
out
with
the
IRS.
I
still
need
to
get
my
tables
to
by
the
way
a
refundable
child
credit
real
money.
It's
not
the
reduction.
G
G
To
get
as
many
people
in
to
file
a
return
see,
the
IRS
is
I
love,
I,
love,
Billy,
except
what
you
want
it
yeah
I
really
love
you,
but
they
don't
have
a
way
Senya
taciturn
it.
So
they
can
compute
your
earned
income
tax
credit
or
your
child
I
think
they
can,
but
they
don't.
So
you
have
to
do
it.
You
look
at
the
file
you
I
can
go
to
the
box
and
make
sure
you
hit
the
right
boxes.
That's
what
it's
all
about!
G
Ivan
goes
a
long
time,
1975
the
first
income
tax,
credit,
the
volunteers
and
all
make
sure
you
leave
nothing
on
the
table.
When
you
fill
out
that
Richard
too
many
people
have
left
it
on
the
table
and
too
many
comparators,
and
do
it
themselves
in
that
way,
you
really
want
a
Benanti
go
back
so
maybe
said
we're
very
grateful
for
the
governor
pushing
that
up.
G
G
G
But
right
now,
and
while
we're
going
through
this
rather
wonderful
national
scene,
but
people
do
a
wonderful,
crazy
stuff,
the
government's
gonna
run.
The
IRS
has
to
be
there.
We
have
to
be
there
for
the
folks
who
will
be
there
and
support
to
anecdotes
one.
My
doctor,
very
good
baby
doctor
good
I've,
talked
to
him
about
what
I
do
it.
G
G
Can
help
people
get
the
more
they
can
pay
their
way
and
not
be
unhealthy,
and
there
is
that
I
noticed
that
the
me
me
approach
to
and
others
some
doctors
and
decided
that
during
the
practice
during
the
day,
they
can
to
make
sure
they
get
tax
returns
done
at
the
office
to
make
sure
that
you
put
it
on
the
table
all
by
themselves.
They're
doing
this
upon
their
own.
If
we
can.
B
G
G
It's
just
another
one,
but
what's
important
is
that
give
me
an
opportunity
to
be
up
here
with
folks
from
the
ABCD
system
along
here
and
I?
Don't
always
get
to
talk
to
the
press.
That's
something
possible!
Yesterday,
with
my
mobile
van
picking
up
people
trying
to
get
it
back
and
the
government
shutdown
next
week,
I
mean
not
sure.
Thank
you,
sir.
We've
got
a
government
that
sort
of
like
Venezuela,
you
never
know
when
they're
gonna
be
open,
but
we
always
know
that
the
other
we're
gonna
send
either
tax
returns.
You
better
send
it
back.
G
A
A
Speech
really
reiterate,
you
know
the
reason
why
the
program
is
so
successful.
It's
really
because
of
the
volunteers
and
the
great
people
who
come
out
every
day
and
the
great
staff
that
are
there
every
day,
helping
prepare
tax
returns
speaking
to
individuals
and
helping
them.
So
great
point
really
important
to
highlight
the
volunteers
and
the
great
people
a
part
of
it,
but.
A
It's
mine,
my
pleasure
right
to
introduce
Tony
Stankiewicz
who's,
my
boss,
here
at
Codman
square
and
the
chief
of
staff
here
at
Codman.
Everyone
knows
who
Tony
is
he's
been
a
great
advocate
for
the
program.
I
can't
say
enough:
how
much
I
appreciate
the
in
Denis
and
all
the
people
here
Codman
that
made
it
possible
for
us
to
do
what
we
do
so.
Thank
you.
H
H
It
takes
a
lot
of
hands
working
hard
on
the
ground,
committed,
urine
and
year-out
on
with
not
often
a
lot
of
funding
right,
but
from
starting
with
the
mayor
for
the
city,
santa
Cotterell
and
reverend
Garvin
warden
who's
in
the
back
of
the
room
who's,
our
the
president,
our
board,
it's
this
is
one
of
our
favorite
partnerships
and
programs
that
we
do
every
year
and
it
makes
a
difference.
Also
I
don't
want.
H
H
And
that
goes
with
the
with
me
me:
Constance,
the
Boston
tax
help
coalition
Jason
Jamila.
You
know
three
days
a
week
on
the
ground
working
with
our
community.
You
know:
ninety-three
percent
of
our
patients
at
Codman
are
two
hundred
percent
below
the
federal
poverty
level.
So
when
we're
able
to
offer
a
program
like
this
to
our
patients
to
our
community,
it
really
does
make
a
difference.
So
for
all
of
you
that
are
involved
on
a
day
to
day
basis
and
making
this
happen,
you
know
there
are
real
benefits
and
results
here.