VITA is an excellent opportunity for individuals and families to keep more of their money and save on tax preparation fees. This service is provided by trained IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who will – in addition to preparing taxes for free – also determine an individual’s eligibility for special tax credits.

In the 2014 tax season, more than 5,200 Broward County taxpaying working families and individuals took advantage of the VITA program and had their income taxes prepared by trained VITA volunteers. More than $5.6 million in taxes were refunded to working families. Nearly 40% of the individuals assisted last year qualified for additional tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Individuals who have not taken advantage of EITC in the past may be eligible for the credit for up to three years retroactively.

Assistance is available in multiple languages including: English, Spanish, French, Haitian-Creole and Sign-language. Call 2-1-1 or visit vitataxesfree.org for more information or to find the tax site nearest you!

This service is brought to you by the Children’s Services Council and United Way of Broward County. For a full list of funders and partners visit vitataxesfree.org

It was only early November, but already the Anice family's Christmas tree was glowing in a living room corner of their new home.

The Anices bought their West Park house in July, marking a milestone years in the making. Now, the family is excited to spend their first Yuletide season — and three December birthdays — in their new residence.

"It wasn't easy, but God helped us. We made it," said Yrose Anice, 44, who again will be struggling to buy birthday and holiday gifts for her husband and two sons. "It's really hard for me at Christmas."

Exchanging wrapped presents during the holidays has not always been possible for the family, and this year has been no different. Still, little by little, the Anices were able to realize the American Dream of home ownership — and they're proud of their three-bedroom upgrade. They're also proud that their eldest child, 18-year-old Rose, is now attending a community college in Tallahassee.

About two years ago, Hollywood-based Hispanic Unity of Florida stepped in to offer the family assistance and guidance. Hispanic Unity is supported by the Sun Sentinel Children's Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, which helps South Florida nonprofit organizations that help local families and children in need.

Hispanic Unity helps immigrants transition into life in the United States with programs that offer career coaching, youth development, citizenship workshops, and more.

To read more of the Sun Sentinel story, click here. 

Over the past month, we have been sharing educational material to show the impact Hispanic Unity has on our community. Our work with youth would not be possible without the Children's Services Council of Broward County (CSC). The CSC supports 150,000 children annually, through more than 150 programs offered by 100 non-profit agencies. That is 1 in 4 children helped in Broward County.

Thank you for voting and for helping us empower a new generation of Americans!

“The Unity 4Teens program offered by Hispanic Unity was a wonderful experience for me.
It helped me to grow and create lifelong friends.” – Andrea Tovar Sambra

Meet Andrea: From Unity 4Teens Afterschool Program
to Physician Assistant in Training

Andrea Tovar Sambra first came to the United States when she was 11-years old. Leaving her native home in Colombia, she did not know anyone aside from her immediate family. To help Andrea become better acquainted with her new community, and to make new friends, her mother enrolled her in Hispanic Unity’s Unity 4Teens afterschool program.

Through the Unity 4Teens program, Andrea received academic support and had access to enrichment activities. She learned how to play sports, made lifelong friends and fine-tuned her conversational English, which she knew would be helpful in her professional and personal growth.

After several years in the program, Andrea received the ESL Student of the Year from her middle school.

Knowing the impact Hispanic Unity has on the community and on her experience, Andrea wanted to give back to HUF in the way it had given back to her. For ten years, Andrea has volunteered with HUF, dedicating numerous hours during her school breaks, to support HUF efforts. Her mother Norma also became part of the HUF team, supporting our accounting department.

Andrea graduated in May of 2014 with a degree in Biology from Nova Southeastern University – on a full scholarship! She was recently accepted into the Medical Assistant program at Broward College and plans to eventually become a Physician Assistant.

“I just love medicine. Since I can remember, it has always been my dream to help others, whether it was diagnosing their ailments or helping them find solutions to their health-related issues.” – Andrea Tovar Sambra