Here at Ariva, we exist to help residents of New York City build financially-empowered and prosperous lives. Our goal is to understand the needs and experiences of the people we serve. We are grateful to be part of a network of change-makers, and our staff, volunteers, and community partners offer honesty and reliability in every exchange, offering care, kindness, and hope throughout every interaction.
We commit to the security and the growth of our communities by sharing resources and strategically partnering with community-based organizations who understand local needs so that we can remove barriers to financial and economic access—particularly for people traditionally excluded from current systems—together.
Not only do we offer a high-caliber experience, but we also recruit and train knowledgeable volunteers who return to work with us year after year. We continually improve and adapt our programs to serve the cultural and financial needs of our communities.
We provide free financial counseling as well as free tax preparation services in NYC, at locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, where we have been headquartered since 2003.
Since our founding in 2003, Ariva has led an economic and systemic shift to change the narrative of the Bronx, working to create financial and economic equity in typically underserved communities. We continue to have a particular focus on serving the South Bronx, though we have since expanded to other boroughs, providing services in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
We have grown from a small free income tax preparation program serving just a few hundred people to providing free, comprehensive financial capabilities services to over 15,000 people in NYC each year. Our services include free financial education and counseling, free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, asset-building support, and assistance with public benefits access.
We work to promote innovation, provide access, and inspire hope for New Yorkers so that they can successfully move toward resiliency, economic stability, and long-term wealth building.
Irene Baldwin
Executive Director
Roy Nielsen
Fiscal Director
Katherine Cepeda
Administrative Assistant
Libretta Champagne
Senior Tax Preparer
Ambernicole Misserello
Volunteer Coordinator
Maribel Montilla
Tax Program Director
Hansel Ackland
Senior Financial Counselor
Felix Arellano
Financial Counselor
Greg Blackmon
Project Coordinator
Sidy Diakhate
Senior Financial Counselor
Monica Garcia
Financial Counselor
Guari Gonzalez
Financial Counselor
Madelyn Mejia
Senior Financial Counselor
Adelaida Morin
Senior Program Director
Lemuria Alawode-El, Chair
James Buckley, Vice Chair
Christopher Nicholson, Treasurer
Heng Ly, Secretary
Astrid Andre
Nicholas Arture
Will Bressman
Steven Flax
Kathleen Scott
David Shuffler
Teri Wade
LaKia Williams