The EITC Explained

Taxes are on people’s minds this time of year. And appropriately, Friday Jan. 29 is EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) Awareness Day.

So what is the EITC and how does it benefit low-income families?

The EITC is basically “free” money for low-income folks who are working. Created in 1975, the EITC helps offset Social Security taxes and provides an incentive for work. It is the federal government’s largest benefits program for working families.

The credit can be significant: the new maximum credit for tax year 2009 is $5,657 for a family with three or more children; $5,028 for a family with two children; $3,043 for a family with one child and $457 if there are no children.

Think how much good $5,000 can do for a family in need!

As much as $6 million in tax credits go unclaimed in Allen County each year, so volunteers are working hard to help people who are eligible claim this money. Nationally, it’s estimated that 20 to 25 percent more people may qualify for EITC, but may not be aware of it.

There are more than 12,000 free tax preparation sites nationwide and CANI is proud to be a site again this year. Volunteers from the Volunteer Center @RSVP will be available at CANI from Jan. 30 to April 13, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

If you know of someone who you think might be eligible, please encourage them to ask about this tax credit. More information is available at www.irs.gov.

CANI Hits the Airwaves..

CANI’s Director of Community Services Pam Brookshire is now a bit of a local celebrity! Pam made an appearance Jan. 19 on WBOI’s “Midday Matters” to discuss the economics of Weatherization.

Pam was available to answers questions from callers about the program. A highlight: a client called to thank us for weatherizing her home. Check out the podcast here.

This begs the question: what exactly is Weatherization?

Making homes safer and more energy efficient are the main goals of the Weatherization program. Families with limited-incomes in Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties may qualify for home improvements including insulation and caulking. CANI also fixes heating systems, such as repairing poorly installed equipment or leaking heating ducts, and can repair or replace some furnaces.

Weatherization is among the many ways we help our clients save money. To learn more about CANI’s programs, visit www.canihelp.org.

CANI Seeking Students for Career Shadow Day

Think back to the days of your youth. Was there someone who inspired you to pursue your current career? You might not have realized it at the time, but positive role models and mentors can make a big difference in a child’s life.
Now we’re asking you to pay it forward. CANI is seeking low-income middle-school students (2010-11 school year) for participation in a career shadow day, as part of the agency’s newly established youth program. The purpose of the career shadow day is to expose local middle school students to various career opportunities.
CANI will act as a liaison between the mentor and the student. The coordinator will meet with students prior to the start of the program, which begins in late June, to help determine a suitable career to shadow.
This is a great opportunity to empower a child and expose him or her to the work place. Participants must be at 200 percent of poverty or below. Additionally, participants will have first priority for CANI’s IDA (Individual Development Account) program, which can help fund college expenses.
Referrals will be accepted through March 9. For more information, or to refer a student, please call Megan Kinney at (260) 423-3546 ext. 287, or e-mail megankinney@canihelp.org.

CANI Calls for Nominations for Award

Upon his death in September, CANI founder William G. William left a legacy in the community rivaled by few others. A true champion of the poor, he helped to establish many of the agency’s programs, several of which are still in existence today in some form.

The award was first created to honor the efforts of the now late William G. Williams, the first executive director of the Allen County Economic Opportunity Council, the former name of CANI.

In addition to Mr. Williams, past winners include current CANI Executive Director Joe Conrad and posthumously John Beeson of New Castle. Beeson was an employee of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and a champion of the poor.


We’re asking for your help! Maybe you know someone who has made significant efforts in the fight against poverty.

Here’s what we’re looking for specifically:

Nominees for the William G. Williams Award should demonstrate a commitment to helping communities, families, and individuals remove the causes and conditions of poverty. An award winner will be chosen based on the significance of his or her contributions in one or more of the following areas:

1. Helping low-income people become more self-sufficient.
2. Improving the conditions in which low-income people live.
3. Helping low-income people own a stake in their community.
4. Creating partnerships among supporters and providers of service to low-income people.
5. Increasing CANI’s capacity to achieve results.
6. Helping low-income people, especially vulnerable populations, achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive systems.

If you know of someone who fits the bill, do not hesitate to nominate him or her. E-mail me, laurencaggiano@canihelp.org, for an application.

Nominations are due April 15. The recipient will be honored at CANI’s annual meeting on May 4.