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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 4, 2018)
April 4, 2018 Page 5 Photo by d anny P eterson /t he P ortLand o bserver Volunteers, interns and workers at the CASH Oregon office in Lloyd Center help low-income Oregonians prepare their taxes for free and help eligible recipients claim an Earned Income Tax Credit. Pictured (from left) are Pina Chipen, Alexsis Hopson, Gilberto Elena, and Myrna Andrade- Booker. The program will be open through April 17 at over 50 locations in the Portland metro area. Cash in Hand C ontinued from P age 3 through the program for the first time this year after hearing about it from word of mouth. They said a re- fund like the Earned Income Tax Credit would really help them out financially. “The reason I came is because it’s free. I usually go to H & R Block, but it’s a $300 something dollar fee,” Syoziatro said. Between CASH Oregon and AARP Tax-Aide, $54 million in Earned Income Tax Credits was made to eligible clients in Oregon last year, according to the non-profit’s annual report. Over $21 million of re- funds were issued in the tri-county area of Washing- ton, Multnomah, and Clackamas counties. The tax filing deadline is April 17 and the free tax preparation sites will be open for services through that time, except Fridays. But come early, Adams said, because the service is first-come first- serve. And be sure to bring a photo ID, Social Se- curity card, the tax IDs of all who you are filing for, your employers W-2s and other documents related to your income, as well as tax-related expenses for the year, and last year’s tax return, if you have it. At Lloyd Center, which is the largest CASH Or- egon site in the state, the hours are posted as 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The offices are located on the third floor near the food court. You can find CASH Oregon’s other locations by calling 2-11 or visiting cashoregon.org/locations. The website also has links to free resources in or- der to file taxes yourself from home. Meeting on Gang Violence Laurie Palmer, a black commu- nity activist who started a local organization to address the root causes of gang violence invites members of the community to an upcoming meeting to explore and advance efforts to combat the in- fluence of gangs and reduce vio- lence. The session will be held Wednesday, April 11, from noon to 2 p.m. in the community room of the Human Solutions/Rock- wood building at 124 N.E. 181th. Palmer is the founder of the “Go Get Your Child” (GGYC) commu- nity coalition she started after her own son was injured in a shooting. She is also an inspirational speak- er and a “Women in Transition: life coach. The meeting will focus on strengthening community net- Laurie Palmer works and building ties with non-violence, locally-based orga- nizations and explore honest chal- lenges in the efforts to make our communities safer. For more information, call Palmer at 503-927-9753 or email lauriepalmer39@yahoo.com. Free Legal Services Day In an effort to help low-in- come individuals apply for jobs, attain housing, and regain their driver’s licenses, a free legal services day will be held at the Rosewood Initiative in Gresham on Friday, April 13, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The non-profit, located at 16126 S.E. Stark St., will provide the opportunity for people to meet with an attorney and earn a waiver of fines and fees they owe, if they show proof that they completed non-court-mandated community service or recent treatment. In- dividuals can also see if they’re eligible for expungment of old cases or address any outstanding warrants. For more information, call 503- 208-2562. Chicago-Style Steppin Fun, Healthy Social Dance for Couples and Singles. Weekly Classes www.groovinhighsteppers.com Denise Johnson 503-819-4576 Hernandez Williams 206-683-4101 Co-Founders and Instructers