Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Stan State participated in the VITA program for 19 years as Accounting and Finance students provide free federal and state tax return preparation for low income and underserved members of the community during February and March. The University partnered with the IRS and the Turlock Salvation Army, where the tax clinics are held. Stan State Alumni with assistance from Accounting faculty and the Office of Service Learning provide program management and tax review. Additionally, students were be selected as VITA Scholars who receive an immersive experience and academic credit to help with clinic management. In spring 2019, 23 students, 4 alumni and 3 Accounting and Finance faculty, including Office of Service Learning staff participated in the VITA program. Students and alumni completed 94 tax returns for low income families and seniors with an average AGI of $23,430 that returned $186,340.00 back into the community. In the spring 2020, this program was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, VITA has been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CARES Homeless Resource Center
Community Action and Resources for Empowerment and Sustainability
CARES Resource Center was funded by a two-year grant from the Office of University Partnerships at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This facility started in October 2006 and remained opened through October 2008. A description of the center's purpose for both the university and the community during the center's operation follows:
CARES Resource Center and its associated faculty are committed to fostering an ethic of community engagement and meaningful scholarship for students of California State University, Stanislaus.
The mission of CARES Resource Center is to provide a safe space for homeless and low-income residents of our community to access a system of support to: secure the necessary means for securing housing and employment; participate in literacy education and financial literacy training; and connect to federal, state, and local systems of care, including behavioral health, recovery, primary healthcare, and social services. The Community Resource Room at the Center is equipped with computers, printers, fax, and telephone.
Every Wednesday morning, CARES Resource Center fosters active dialogue through the confluence of homeless individuals, members of the university community, and members of the community at large where these individuals explore issues of homelessness and poverty, and seek to improve the quality of life for those in need. CARES Resource Center invites you to attend this meeting, which is held every Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the United Samaritans Foundation Building (across the street from CARES Resource Center).
CARES Resource Center positively impacts the community. Despite the postponement of a year-round shelter, the lack of local resources available to the homeless and low-income residents of Turlock, and the complexities inherent to serving the needs of the community, CARES Resource Center continues to exceed expectations in providing needed services, fostering community engagement and education, and strengthening California State University, Stanislaus relationship with the community.
CARES Resource Center is located on 220 South Broadway in Turlock. For more information, please contact Esther McKoon or Hugo Ramrez at (209) 656-9498.
Updated: June 07, 2023