Portland observer., February 01, 2012, Page 13, Image 13

February I,
2012___________________
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Theportland Observer Black H¡Story Month
Page 13
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
MET KO
Ethos Taps Successful Director
Jedidiah Chavez to
lead non-profit
music program
by M indy
C ooper
T he P ortland O bserver
The hard work of a local arts educator
was recognized last week when he was
named the new executive director for Ethos
Music Center, a local non-profit dedicated
to empowering youth through music.
Jedidiah Chavez, 32, replaced Ethos’
founder and former executive Charles Lewis.
Chavez, the former development direc­
tor at Ethos, not only increased revenue for
the organization by 30 percent since he
began in the position in 2008, but he also
helped successfully secure $ 1.5 million for
capital improvements to Ethos’ north Port­
land headquarters.
“I am excited and honored to build on the
strong foundation created by Charles
Lewis,” said Chavez. “With my colleagues,
I look forward to extending the impact of our
programs while continuing to pioneer inno­
vative practices in music education.”
Growing up Latino in Colorado, Chavez
said he was raised by a single mother, who
worked extremely hard to make sure he had
access to music education.
“I grew up with music,” he said. “She was
a single mom, and she waited tables and
photo by M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver
saved up money to pay for expensive pri­
Jedidiah Chavez is the new executive director for Ethos Music Center, a non-profit
vate lesson.”
His mother, who is also a working con- dedicated to empowering youth and building community through music.
cert pianist, recommended he play the flute.
Unlike school programs for youth today,
Chavez said he also had access to music
through classes, including band and choir.
"It was something that was always in school
when I was in school,” he said. “It was around
me all of the time, and it was never something
I could accept or reject. It was always present,
and that was extremely valuable.”
Ethos Music Center, which was established
in 1998 as a direct result of budget cuts made
to public school arts programs, is dedicated to
the promotion of music and music-based edu­
cation for youth in underserved communities.
According to Chavez, music has a transfor­
mative power, which is often the only way to
reach kids.
“The research proves kids who receive music
education have higher self-esteem and per­
form better academically,” he said.
He said, however, music programs in schools
continue to be cut, which is why he believes
Ethos is such an imperative resource for kids
throughout the state.
“I feel absolutely honored to be involved
with the organization,” he said. “I truly feel we
do tremendous work, and the programs we do
have a high impact for the community.”
After more than a decade of work dedicated
to fundraising for non-profits throughout the
city, Chavez, who also received a m aster’s
degree in Fine Arts, said he feels grateful for
stumbling upon his job at Ethos.
“I have always had a passion for education,
continued
on page 23
Tax Help Sites Aim for Fair Share Refunds
Super Saturday events offer free services
by
R ob J ustus
Are you getting your fair share at tax time?
A free service, where you can get your
taxes prepared and find out if you’re eligible
for the “Earned Income Tax Credit” will take
place on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9 am . to 4 p.m.
at Lloyd Center Mall, Suite 2025, and the
Beaverton Resource Center, 12500 Allen
Boulevard.
The “Super Refund Saturday” events are
open to everyone and provided by KeyBank,
CASH Oregon and AARP-Tax-Aide.
Hardworking families trying hard to make
ends meet might qualify for hundreds or
thousands of dollars in a tax refund through
the “Earned Income Tax Credit.”
The EITC is based on your income and
number of qualifying children. If you qualify,
you’ 11 get money back from the IRS when you
file your taxes. Refund amounts range any­
where from $2 up to $5,751, depending on
income and family size.
Last year, a client at KeyBank’s Super
Refund Saturday found out about the EITC
and decided to check her
previous returns. Imagine
her delight when she real­
ized that her paid tax
preparer had failed to men­
tion it to her for the three
p re v io u s years. U pon
refiling, she received a
check for $4,500.
“I was able to pay some
bills and get some debt off
my shoulders,” she said.
To take advantage of
the free tax preparation
services, visit the sites
above for help on a first-
com e, first-served basis
and bring the follow ing docum ents with
you:
W -2s or other statem ents for you and
your spouse from all your em ployers; Pic­
ture ID; Social Security card or ITIN num ­
ber and birthdates for everyone on your
return; Any 1099 Forms (for incom e from
care provider, if you pay for daycare;
R e c o rd s o f stu d e n t lo a n p a y m e n ts;
Records of paym ents for educational ex ­
penses, such as college tuition; M ortgage
interest and property tax state­
ments if you own a hom e; Bank
account num ber and bank routing
number, for direct deposit; A copy
of last year's tax return, if you have
it; If filing jointly, both filer and
spouse must be present to file elec­
Your first n a m e
tronically.
Tax advisors will be at Super Re­
If a joint rotum. spouao
fund Saturday and ready to help
you.
Home address (number and str«
Each year, thousands of Ameri­
cans don’t claim the EITC on their
C ity, tow n o r
federal income-tax returns, which
means almost $ 160 billion goes un­
claimed.
C.tlHCkm U
For more information, call 2-1 -1 or
interest, dividends, retirem ent, social se­ visit cashoregon.org.
curity or unem ploym ent); Nam e, address
Rob Justice is executive director of CASH
and taxpayer identification num ber of child Oregon.
1 1040
*