When Bessie first heard about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin, she was intrigued. “My tax accountant told me about the VITA program and how it benefitted the community,” she recalls. After researching the IRS website, she was drawn to the site hosted by Goodwill, knowing its reputation for impactful community programs.
Bessie has been volunteering with Goodwill’s VITA program since the 2017 tax season. In that time, she has guided countless individuals through what can be an intimidating process: filing taxes. “The opportunity to guide folks through something they found intimidating or overwhelming and take some of that fear away is hugely rewarding,” she shares.
One of her most memorable experiences involved assisting a client who had endured financial struggles. The VITA team not only provided essential tax assistance, but also created a supportive environment where the client felt heard and understood. “Tax returns often touch many sensitive parts of people’s lives,” Bessie notes. “There is often an emotional component to work through as well.”
Volunteering with VITA has transformed Bessie’s skills and even her career path. Before joining, she only had experience filing her own tax return. Through free IRS training and on-the-job learning from experienced VITA staff and volunteers, her confidence grew. “The combined experience of the wonderful volunteers elevated not only my accounting skills but also my ability to deal with difficult personal issues that often come up,” she explains.
Inspired by her time with VITA, Bessie pursued a career change, finding a role that blends her professional background with the skills she developed through volunteering. “VITA was included on my application, and the volunteer coordinator was one of the references that helped me get the job!” she says proudly.
For anyone considering volunteering, Bessie has this advice: “Goodwill’s VITA program is full of wonderful and experienced people who are there to work together, share knowledge, and help the community. Even if number-crunching isn’t your thing, there are a variety of positions for volunteers.”
Bessie believes in the vital role VITA plays in the community. Since almost everyone files taxes, knowing that VITA helps prepare tax returns at no cost for community members in need brings a sense of pride and accomplishment to Bessie and our Goodwill VITA volunteers.
Bessie’s story illustrates how volunteering can transform not only the lives of those served but also the volunteers themselves. Through empathy, skill-building, and community impact, she has made tax season less daunting for many—and found her own rewarding path along the way.
If you would like to become a VITA Volunteer, for more information visit: https://goodwillscwi.org/community-programs/volunteer-income-tax-preparation-vita/ or contact Joe Byrnes via e-mail at jbyrnes@goodwillscwi.org.