UWImpactReportof2025_FIN - Flipbook - Page 9
INCOME, EMPLOYMENT &
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Free Tax Preparation
Taxes can be stressful, and poor preparation can leave
money on the table. During the 2025 tax season, 167
IRS-trained volunteers helped simplify the process for
4,419 households with free tax preparation through our
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Volunteers
saved households $972,180 in tax preparation fees and helped
ALICE families maximize their returns, keeping more of their
hard-earned income.
Federal returns:
$3,201,822
“I’m on a single income and every little bit helps,” said Regina, a
VITA client for six years. “I leave knowing that every penny I’m
supposed to get, I’m getting. When they take the time to answer
questions and make sure you really understand, I feel supported.
It’s like coming to talk to a friend.”
State returns:
$3,416,118
VITA Impact
Partner locations
Number of Volunteers
19
167
Tax clinics held
Mobile Unit locations
189
18
Hours of Volunteer Time
Mobile clinics held
3,312
“
53
1,652
referrals
made
I am more than happy with JobSTAR and its
impact on our employees. Based on these
impacts, we estimate 3-4 individuals are
successful in retaining their employment each
year. Our Success Coach has developed a good
reputation with our employees and regularly
helps individuals with accessing services they
were not even aware existed. Although not
everyone will access JobSTAR, for those who
have or those who will, JobSTAR will continue to
be a great bene昀椀 t for our employees.
— Doug Scott (Industrial Steel Treating Co.)
Support For Employees
In Jackson County, our JobSTAR (Support Talent And Retention)
program is a key resource helping employers support
their workers with needs that can affect productivity and
attendance. An on-site Success Coach provides con昀椀 dential
guidance, connecting workers to a wide range of services
and support for things like food assistance, government
navigation, transportation, insurance, and housing. The results
include a stronger workforce, 昀椀 nancially stable families, higher
productivity and a more vibrant local economy.
877
employees
served
20
participating
companies
unitedforscmi.org
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