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The BEST Project |
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The BEST Project focuses on proactive and collaborative efforts to meet the needs of working individuals and families utilizing strategies that empower them to achieve long-term financial stability.
We are a community coalition of businesses, agencies, government, non-profit and other organizations focused on increasing the financial well-being of our community by leading an effort to help lower-to-modest income residents preserve and increase their financial assets.
The BEST Project is about the well-being and quality of life of Big Bend residents – a home, a better future for our children, peace of mind, a secure retirement. It will take our entire community working together to accomplish all of this. That’s why we’re working with United Way agencies and community partners to create lasting changes in people’s lives. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.
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Leadership Team |
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 CHAIR
R. Jai Gillum – Florida Department of Financial Services
BANK ON BIG BEND CHAIRS
Amber Tynan – League of Southeastern Credit Unions
Denise Wilson – Capital City Bank
FINANCIAL EDUCATION CHAIRS
Tori Shamy – SunTrust
Melissa Wright – BB&T Private Financial Services
VITA CHAIR
Kyndra Freeman – First Florida Credit Union
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The team...
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Partners |
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The BEST Project is a success because of the direct involvement and commitment of our partners.
To learn more about these organizations click on the links to their individual web sites.
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More partners...
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Spread The Word |
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We make it easy for you to spread the word about The BEST Project! Just click on the links below to download information about The BEST Project and our programs.
Click here for more information about our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service.
Click here for more information about becoming a Master Money Mentor.
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Staff |
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Amanda Clements
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
850.414.0858
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Megan Earnhardt
Strategic Initiatives Associate &
VITA Coordinator
850.488.8342
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Results |
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More and more people are finding that simply working hard is not always enough. In fact, one in eight Americans has an income below the federal poverty level despite many of those people being employed. Times are particularly challenging for many families as they face job loss, pay cuts or foreclosure. That’s why United Way of the Big Bend invested in programs that help people attain the skills, employment and resources needed to get out of debt, increase income and save for the future.
Download the 2010 BEST Project Report.
Read more about VITA Results.
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Learn More |
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Want to bring more money into our local economy?
Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) effort offers FREE tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers at sites throughout the Big Bend from January to April each year. This fast and free service helps Big Bend residents avoid predatory income tax preparers and costly refund anticipation loans. VITA volunteers prepare basic, current year tax returns free of charge for eligible taxpayers and work to ensure that eligible families take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can increase a family’s annual income by as much as 15 percent.
Learn about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance effort and the Earned Income Tax Credit by clicking here.
Are you tired of seeing your money disappear?
We partner with financial professionals to teach people about money management. Our instructors focus on realistic solutions to increase financial stability and long-term economic independence. Click here to find out how you and your family can keep more of the money you earn.
Do you want to help people keep more of the money they earn?
Do you have a passion for helping others become and remain financially stable? Click here to find out how you can get involved!
Did you visit a VITA site recently to get your taxes done?
Please tell us how we did! Click here to be taken to SurveyMonkey.
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