Garden Grove Club Stands Ready to Assist Families

A Family PLUS Site Serves as Tax Preparation Center

Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Calif., is participating in a statewide Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Initiative being lead by the State of California's First Lady, Maria Shriver.

Shriver was onsite at Santa Ana College for the kickoff of the initiative in early February. The kickoff was sponsored by several community organizations, including Orange County United Way, Legal Aid Society of Orange County and the City of Santa Ana.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, a new pilot site for BGCA's Family PLUS Program, partnered with the Orange County United Way to serve as a tax preparation site. Family PLUS is BGCA's new family support program funded by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

Hosting only two EITC days thus far, the Club has helped some 55 families save more than $65,000. According to Paul Ramirez, director, Family Support, the Club plans to host more tax days before the tax filing deadline of April 17.

Many families are eligible for the tax credit, but are not aware it exists. By serving as a tax preparation site, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove is integrating the economic opportunity component into its existing family support initiative and showing its support of the local community.