Students helped more than 330 Alabama families save $64,000 this semester through their participation in SaveFirst, a program that trains students to provide free tax preparation services.
Impact Alabama, an organization that helps students take part in various kinds of community service, founded SaveFirst last year.
SaveFirst coordinator Sarah Smith said the program helps families keep the money they receive from tax returns.
“Our program provides an important alternative to paid tax preparers, ensuring that working families receive the full tax benefits to which they are entitled,” she said.
The program trained 48 Auburn students to participate this year. Auburn SaveFirst coordinator Rosie Stafford said the program was a success.
“Auburn students stepped up,” Smith said. “Because of the hard work of the student volunteers, we were able to complete hundreds of tax returns for low-income people in both Auburn and Montgomery. This program serves such a great need in the community.”
Smith said she thinks SaveFirst is beneficial for the volunteers as well as the families.
“In addition to assisting local working families, SaveFirst helps Auburn University students learn about issues facing working families and encourages them to approach society’s problems in a positive way,” Smith said.
Political science professor Steven Brown required his Honors American Government students to participate in SaveFirst.
“I’ve always required my students to participate in community service,” Brown said. “I want them to get out there and see what the government can do.”
He decided to try a new community service program this year.
“This semester, I was approached about having my students participate in the inaugural SaveFirst program in the Auburn area, and we decided to try it,” Brown said.
He said the SaveFirst program was more involved than programs his students have been involved with in the past.
“This service was much more complex than usual because of the tax training the students had to undergo and the certification test they had to pass,” he said. “Also, many of them were needed to assist at the tax help site in Montgomery, which was a further challenge.”
Brown said he thinks his students benefited from participating in the program.
“I think they learned how difficult it can sometimes be to help others,” he said. “However, I think they also realized what a tremendous contribution they were able to make by serving in this capacity.”
The program began in January and lasted for six weeks. Auburn students worked with 230 other students from 11 other campuses statewide.
“This type of multi-campus collaboration to maximize resources across the state is incredibly unique,” Smith said.
Brown said he hopes to remain involved with SaveFirst in the future.
“I am sure that either my class or others will make sure this service continues to exist to serve the people of this area next year,” he said. “I am sure it will grow here as more people hear about it and realize that there is a free alternative available.”
Stafford said she looks forward to the program training more volunteers next year.
“Because of the positive community response to the program, I am confident that it will continue in the years to come,” she said.
