Meet Estanislao and Nishia, An Ariva Volunteer Story
Happy National Volunteer Month!
If you’ve ever filed taxes with assistance from Ariva, you’ve likely worked with one of our amazing tax preparation volunteers. Their hard work and dedication to financially empowering New Yorkers contribute to our successful tax seasons, year after year. We’ve built a highly connected and collaborative volunteer community and would love to have you join us!
No matter your background, you can become an Åriva tax prep volunteer in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). Volunteers receive IRS-certified tax training, and, upon completion of the certification exam, their primary duty is to prepare tax returns. As a volunteer, you get to witness the impact of your services in real time, and you also acquire tax preparation skills for your own benefit!
We’ve built a highly connected and collaborative volunteer community. This year, we’ve had the pleasure of working with volunteers Nishia and Estanislao. Since becoming certified with us, they’ve become well-versed in tax terminology and have helped many New Yorkers with life-changing, free tax preparation in NYC.
“I started doing this to learn more about taxes and to help my community. I get to help people and educate them on the importance of filing taxes. One day, I saw a family receive up to $8,000 for their tax refund, and I saw how much that changed their life,” Estanislao tells us.
In addition to helping people file taxes, Estanislao volunteers as a translator at our tax site at Part of the Solution (POTS). The entire volunteer experience has been extremely gratifying for him, and he looks forward to helping more New Yorkers and using his volunteer time to strengthen his English skills.
“It’s been awesome to work with the Ariva team. I see their passion and their commitment. I want to continue to help my community become oriented with wealth-building,” says Estanislao.
Nishia came to Ariva with some tax preparation experience. As a tax preparation volunteer with us, she expanded her skills and is excited to apply what she has learned to her future accounting studies. Like Estanislao, Nishia is committed to helping clients build wealth and implement healthy financial management habits.
“I keep it honest, and I keep it real with the clients. I helped one previous client get her tax refund, and she was excited to buy a few things she needed. I give people tips on saving and budgeting so they can receive more money on their tax refund,” says Nishia.
Nishia plans to attend college for accounting soon, and she’s excited to leverage her experience as a tax preparation volunteer. Since joining our team, she has learned new software and is becoming more knowledgeable about tax law.
“At first, [learning how to prepare and file taxes] is overwhelming and scary. From practice to doing it for real, there’s a difference. You just have to get the nerves out and learn how to talk to people,” Nishia tells us. “Plus, I’ve also become friends with other volunteers. I like getting to know them.”
Nishia and Estanislao came to us with different backgrounds, but both have used their volunteer experience to improve the lives of New Yorkers and advance their personal goals. We’re so grateful for their dedication to providing quality tax preparation services for our clients.
If you’re interested in helping New Yorkers with community tax services, too, join our volunteer team! The volunteers at Ariva enjoy being part of an enthusiastic, generous, and committed team, and some volunteers have returned each tax season for 10+ years. In addition to tax preparation services, you can also teach our clients how to take advantage of free financial help with our financial counseling services.
Photo is representative only