NWI Asset Building Campaign

Last updated on July 12, 2011

The Northwest Indiana Asset Building Campaign (NWIABC) is a community coalition dedicated to making managing finances elementary. NWIABC is committed to informing Lake, Porter and Starke County's working families about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) during the tax season (January - April, every year) and general financial education for the remainder of the year.

Description:
Our main focus beginning January of every year is tax assistance via the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This program helps working families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a tax credit worth up to $5,751 this upcoming 2011 filing season for qualifying individuals.

NWIABC in conjunction with our community partners train volunteer tax preparers each year using the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) training techniques to ensure quality returns. This year our preparers will process and file thousands of returns at no charge to residents of Lake, Porter and Starke Counties who earn less than $49,000 per year.

After April, our focus shifts from free tax preparation to financial literacy. NWIABC partners offer many opportunities for financial education to the residents of Lake, Porter and Starke Counties, free of charge. Financial literacy classes are offered throughout the year with subjects ranging from the importance of having a savings account to the using credit wisely. Lake, Porter and Starke County residents will be provided information that helps them make better financial decisions and build assets.

History:
Northwest Indiana Asset Building Campaign (NWIABC) was first organized in May 2003. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) gave us the impetus to organize a coalition targeting those families in Gary, East Chicago and Hammond, Indiana who work hard but may not be getting the most from their income. The local Community Action Agency, Northwest Indiana Community Action Corp., serves as the fiscal agent for the Asset Building Campaign.

NWIABC is a coalition of community-based partnerships with the mission to link awareness and education, with tax preparation sites and asset building for low and moderate income taxpayers. Clients are mostly low- to moderate-income families with an average income of about $15,000–$25,000.

The NWIABC is more than a tax preparation service. It is a group of committed community leaders who believe they have the power to change families and communities for the better. Part of our mission is to build assets for low and moderate taxpayers. Our partners provide many financial literacy programs throughout the year.

Contact people:

Leona L. Liuzzo, Asset Building Coordinator, (phone), (email) Diann Yarbough, Assistant Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (219) 887-0020

Address:

3101 Broadway Gary, IN 46409 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Our office is located in the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc. Building. Located just south of the I94/I80 expressway.

Last updated on July 12, 2011