MEDA-VITA Svs & Outreach

Hi everyone! It’s Carla and Hong and we are this year’s interns for Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) located in the Mission district of San Francisco. Before we start to tell you more about MEDA, here’s a little information about ourselves…

Carla Cayas – I am originally from San Jose, CA and I am a senior double major in Accounting and Finance. I was involved in numerous extra curricular activities in high school and throughout college. In high school I was Treasurer for the Filipino Student Association (FSA). In college I was active in the Filipino multi-cultural club, Kasamahan. During my sophomore year, I served the position of Sophomore representative and the first semester of my junior year I was Treasurer. In addition, I was Finance Vice President for my service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. I believe that my experiences in these organizations has helped me be more organized, helped me prioritize my priorities, and exposed me to working with different groups of people. Taking on this internship at MEDA as a Tax Preparer has given me the opportunity to experience something new. At MEDA there was a language barrier between the clients and I. Most of the clients that came in were Spanish speaking only, but during the days were there were more clients than volunteers, they had no choice but to go to me. Although, I do not speak Spanish fluently, I can get a good grasp of what they are saying. I took 3 years of Spanish in high school and I am mostly fluent in Tagalog. Since I can speak and understand Tagalog, some of the words and numbers are very similar to Spanish, therefore I can communicate what I know and hope for the best that we can understand each other. However, if questions are needed to be be asked, the other volunteers and the workers of MEDA are always open to help translate. 

Hong Nguyen – I am from San Leandro, CA andam a senior double major as well in Accounting and Business Administration.  In high school, I volunteered for a lot of different activities so it exposed me to working with a lot of different types of people and catering to different needs.  I took three years of Spanish in high school and although I have not been keeping up with it since going to college, it definitely came into play while volunteering at MEDA.  Language was definitely a barrier between us and the clients, but there were many people there that were willing to help translate what any questions that were raised.  Volunteering at MEDA made me a more patient person because there were not always clients there or they would request for a Spanish speaking volunteer.  The people at MEDA were very helpful and I am grateful for this experience.

We are volunteering at Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), which is a nonprofit organization. Our supervisor is Graciela Reyna and our task there is to work with individual clients and prepare their tax returns. In order for us to prepare the tax returns, we had to become certified. There are different levels of certification and tests that go accordingly to that specific certification. We were told by our supervisor that we needed to be certified by January 14th, because we were going to start preparing tax returns the following week. For each level of certification, there is a practice lab that we went through and it was a series of sample situations and we had to fill out sample tax returns according to the situations. The practice lab was useful because it asked us questions at the end regarding different amounts that should be shown on the tax forms. We worked with our supervisor during the testing for the certification and she was able to review our answers and explain to us the reasoning behind them. We are able to work closely with our supervisor and it is great because if we have any questions, she is there ready to help us.

Now, a little background on the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA). MEDA has been providing services to the community since 1973. It focuses on helping improve the economic and social conditions of San Francisco’s immigrants and working class families with an emphasis on the Latino community and the Mission district of San Francisco. Some programs MEDA provides, aside from the Tax program, are business development, home ownership, financial education, and organizing and advocacy. The business development program helps assist entrepreneurs in San Francisco that want to start a microenterprise or expand their current businesses. MEDA professionals provide consultations in obtaining access to capital, business assessment, business planning, financial projections and budgeting, marketing, lease consultations, and family childcare providers within the city of San Francisco. The homeownership program provides one-on-one consultation services to those who want to know more about the basis of homeownership such as financial education, credit counseling, information on down payments and closing costs assistance, affordable housing options, and foreclosure intervention counseling. The financial education program provides low and moderate Latino families with the education they need to improve their credit score to at least 650 or higher, increase savings to three months of living expenses, and reducing their debt to income ratio to 40% or lower. Last but not least, the last program organizing and advocacy helps develop and advocate for public policies that support the Latino working class community of the Mission District and throughout the City of San Francisco.

MEDA has a big impact on the community because they are able to provide free services to their community.  We deal with a lot of clients and they tell us how grateful they are that we are able to provide them with free tax preparation.  Because we deal with low income families, they cannot always afford to pay someone todo their taxes for them.  Last year, MEDA prepared about 2,000 tax returns and their goal this year is to surpass that number.  So far, we have prepared over 1,000 tax returns and there is still about 4 weeks left until the end ofthe tax season.  Thepeople at MEDA want to help out their community and try to get their clients the most amount of money back and offer free financial classes at the site to teach the clients how they can save up and get out of debt.  Their mission is to help better the community.

The last day of the tax season was April 18th and there were a lot of people at MEDA getting their taxes done before we closed.  A total of 2,710 tax returns were completed and it gave back $2.3 million to the community.  It has been a great experience working with different clients and understanding their individual needs.  Language was sometimes a barrier because of where MEDA is located, there are a lot of Spanish only speakers, so they need a Spanish speaking volunteer.  However, there are some clients that have someone else with them that can translate for them.  All in all, I learned a lot during this experience and glad that I was able to be a part of it.

To add to what Hong said, I am honored to be a part of what MEDA has done for the community. Since most of the clientele were low income families, any refund they received was a huge help. After working this tax season at MEDA, I have learned to not take what I have for granted. Some clients I have had have multiple jobs just to get by. This shows that nothing comes easy. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to work at MEDA and their employees and other volunteers I have made friends with.

66 thoughts on “MEDA-VITA Svs & Outreach”

  2. Almost everyone who owns a cell phone now makes use of applications. That is also the reason I prefer to use only authority applications. Such applications are frequently costly, but I was able to find assistance where I could get gb whatsapp download for free. Therefore, if you are interested in this application as well, you can download and enjoy using it.

    Reply

  3. I can say GB Whatsapp is the best mod version of Whatsapp, produced by a third party, which is easily found on the internet and essentially does every other APK.

    Reply

  4. Yes I’m using whatsapp and it is very nice app to communicate with your friends and many other people for bussiness purpose. GBWhatsapp is one of its advanced and modified version it is used all over the world and it is awesome. Download it from here GB WhatsApp download

    Reply

  5. Many people may think or read that using GB WhatsApp APK can get you banned from the original WhatsApp. However, this is not true. You can easily go for GB WhatsApp APK download without getting banned from WhatsApp if you download from below.gbwhatsapp apk

    Reply

  9. Wow, what an inspiring project! The MEDA Vita SVS Outreach initiative is making a meaningful impact, and I commend all the dedicated individuals involved. It’s heartwarming to see how they are empowering communities and creating positive change through their efforts.
    On a related note, for those seeking financial support in Vermont, https://paydaysay.com/payday-loans-in-vermont/ offers loans that can provide a reliable solution during challenging times. Just like the MEDA Vita SVS Outreach project, having access to resources can make a significant difference in people’s lives. Let’s continue to support and celebrate initiatives like MEDA Vita SVS Outreach while also staying informed about financial options that can help us navigate through life’s challenges. Together, we can create a positive impact in both local and global communities. Keep up the excellent work, and may the spirit of compassion and empowerment continue to guide us all!

    Reply

  10. Wow, it’s really inspiring to read about Carla and Hong’s internship experience at MEDA! It’s amazing how they’ve overcome language barriers to help clients with their tax returns. Their dedication and willingness to adapt are truly admirable. It’s also interesting to learn about the certification process they went through and how they worked closely with their supervisor, Graciela Reyna. It’s clear that MEDA is making a positive impact in the community, and these interns are contributing significantly to that mission. Kudos to Carla, Hong, and the entire team at MEDA for their hard work and dedication! 💪

    By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about financial management and community involvement, check out my website at http://kote-228.livejournal.com. I often share tips and insights on these topics.

    Reply

  11. Cards with $10000 Limit Guaranteed Approval In this article, We are sharing data about Ensured Endorsement Charge cards With $1000 Cutoff points For Terrible Credit And No Store
    You should keep up with and further develop your financial assessment in the advanced world to keep and develop your cash. Mastercards, advances, and places to not set in stone by it. Visas might be hard to get for those with unfortunate credit.
    https://www.aquilaresources.com/guaranteed-approval-credit-cards-with-1000-limits-for-bad-credit-and-no-deposit/

    Reply

  12. شركة أمان المثالية للتنظيف في الأحساء هي شركة متخصصة في خدمات التنظيف المنزلي والتجاري. تقدم الشركة خدمات متميزة لعملائها في المنطقة، حيث يتميز فريق العمل بالكفاءة والاحترافية في أداء مهام التنظيف.تشمل خدمات شركة أمان المثالية تنظيف الغرف والمطابخ والحمامات والأرضيات والزجاج والكثير من المساحات الأخرى. بفضل استخدامها لمواد التنظيف ذات الجودة العالية والأدوات المتقدمة، تضمن الشركة نتائج رائعة ومرضية لعملائها.باختيار شركة أمان المثالية للتنظيف في الأحساء، يمكن للعملاء الاعتماد على خدمة محترفة وجودة عالية تساعدهم على الاستمتاع ببيئة نظيفة ومرتبة في منازلهم أو منشآتهم التجارية.

    تنظيف منازل بالاحساء

    Reply

  13. In general, in order for the business to constantly develop and be competitive, special attention should be paid to permanent marketing strategies, including high-quality presentation materials. For this purpose, I suggest using vector graphics youtube subscribe. Its technologies are widely used for both print design and web design. It is safe to say that most designers successfully use vector graphics.

    Reply

  14. A symphony of holiday music, shimmering lights, and the promise of joyful spins welcomed me to the virtual wonderland of The Pokies this Christmas season. All the pixels on the platform were now brimming with holiday cheer, and the whole thing had become a veritable party sanctuary.

    The Christmas-themed activities were like taking a virtual trip around Santa’s workshop. While newer, more imaginative slots with Santa hats and bells took me on a journey to a more magical Christmas, the classics brought back fond memories of yesteryear. The pokies had gone all out for the holiday, making it an engaging experience beyond the reels.

    It was like opening a Christmas present as you went through the sign-up process, which is usually a chore on other platforms. The onboarding process was not only easy but also joyful and festive, thanks to https://the-pokies-au.net/registration/ button that took me on a virtual tour decked out in digital tinsel.

    Upon registering, I discovered a community where each spin seemed like a gift waiting to be opened. A virtual advent calendar of surprises was created by the Christmas promotions, which offered an extra layer of joy with bonuses and tournaments. I felt like The Pokies had taken on the role of my very own online Santa, bringing joy and good cheer at each click.

    I was whisked away to a virtual gathering besides a warm fireplace the moment I stepped foot at one of the Christmas tables. Blackjack and roulette, two traditional games, were given a Christmas spin, setting the mood for a season filled with joy. It was more than simply a game of strategy; it was a virtual holiday extravaganza that I wanted to fully embrace.

    In the midst of all the holiday spins and promotions, I felt more at ease participating in the digital celebrations, thanks to The Pokies’ open and honest privacy policy. I was able to completely immerse myself in the holiday spirit without worrying about the security of my personal information.

    Every turn of the reels was a new chapter in this digital Christmas story at The Pokies, and every click was a new adventure in a merry land where pixels and presents danced to the music of the season. The platform has expertly combined the thrill of an online igaming platform with the magic of Christmas, resulting in a beautiful and joyous celebration. May your holiday season be adorned with enchanting spins, the enchantment of Christmas, and the melodic tunes of The Pokies!

     

    Reply

  15. Witajcie! Jeśli poszukujecie najlepszych polskich kasyn online, to świetnym źródłem informacji jest strona https://top-kasyna-online.com. Tam znajdziecie przewodnik po najlepszych kasynach internetowych, które spełniają wysokie standardy jakości, bezpieczeństwa i uczciwości. Ranking dziesięciu wiodących polskich kasyn online, oferujących zarówno rozrywkę, jak i zaufanie, pomoże w podjęciu informowanej decyzji. Znajdziecie tam także informacje o innowacyjnych technologiach i atrakcyjnych promocjach, które zwieńczą Wasze doświadczenie hazardowe. Sprawdźcie sami i cieszcie się grą!

    Reply

  16. Popular video and photo editing apps have revolutionized content creation, providing users with powerful tools to enhance and personalize their visual media. Apps like Adobe Premiere Rush and iMovie offer professional-grade video editing, allowing users to trim, add effects, and create stunning sequences effortlessly. On the photo editing front, Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed are go-to choices, offering advanced features for perfecting images. Amidst these giants, Wink stands out as an emerging contender, boasting a user-friendly interface and unique features. Wink app simplifies editing, making it accessible to a broader audience, with its intuitive design and efficient tools, earning its place among the best.

    Reply

  42. An Age Calculator determines a person’s age based on their date of birth and the current date. It calculates the difference between the two dates in years, months, and days to provide the person’s precise age. This tool aids in various applications such as age verification, retirement planning, and age-related eligibility criteria in education, employment, and government services. Check my website https://calculatoruniverse.com/age-calculator/ to get the tool

    Reply

  45. Dengan semua keunggulan yang ditawarkannya, tidak mengherankan jika Slot DanaSlot Dana diakui sebagai salah satu situs slot online terbaik di Indonesia. Dari koleksi permainan yang beragam hingga layanan pelanggan yang luar biasa, semuanya dirancang untuk memberikan pengalaman bermain yang tak terlupakan bagi para penggemar slot

    Reply

  47. Trash Truck Simulator Mod APK puts players in the driver’s seat of a waste management vehicle, offering a unique and immersive experience in the world of sanitation. Navigate through city streets, collect trash, and manage waste disposal routes in this realistic simulation game.

    Reply

  48. Com um RTP impressionante de 96,50%, double-fortune.org oferece uma vantagem generosa aos jogadores que buscam grandes vitórias. Prepare-se para uma experiência envolvente e gratificante que desafiará suas expectativas.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *