Indiana University to sponsor America’s Role in the World Conference
March 2-3, 2023IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies. John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, will virtually kick off the eighth annual America’s Role in the World conference (ARW8). The schedule of panel discussions for this year’s event, Raising the Heat on Foreign Policy,is now available at arw.iu.edu.
In addition to panel discussions on many of today’s most pressing topics with leading global experts, we will be joined by Robert Malley, U.S. Special Envoy to Iran, for a conversation on implications of the situation in Iran for U.S. foreign policy, and HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President/CEO, UAE Independent Climate Change Accelarators (UICCA), for a fireside chat about the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28).
Ivy Tech offering free Girls Write creative writing program
Ivy Tech Community College is accepting applications for Girls Write, a new creative writing program that starts March 20th. Girls Write is an inclusive program designed to foster a love of reading, writing, and sharing at no cost. Girls and gender non-conforming writers with diverse experiences in grades five through nine are encouraged to apply. Applications close March 10th.
Girls Write will meet four times at Ivy Tech Bloomington on Mondays from 6-8pm on the following dates: March 20th, April 3rd, April 17th, and May 1st. Dinner will be provided to participants. For more information and to apply for this free program, visit www.ivytech.edu/locations/bloomington/special-programs/girls-write/.
2023 United Way Free Community Tax Service offers free tax preparation sites in Brown, Monroe, and Owen Counties
United Way of Monroe County, along with community partners, is pleased to announce the 2023 Free Community Tax Service is open for the upcoming tax season. IRS-certified volunteers are ready to serve clients at nine in-person sites in Brown, Monroe, and Owen counties. Hoosiers making less than $60,000 annually can receive help filing their federal and state tax returns for free.
Tax preparation is provided free of charge and volunteers work one-on-one with community members to ensure they receive 100% of their refund, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if eligible. Additionally, area residents with a combined Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $72,000 or less can file online for free from the comfort of their homes or anywhere with an internet connection. Visit the United Way website to choose the right software option. Community members can visit www.monroeunitedway.org/FreeTaxes for information regarding both in-person and online tax preparation options.
In 2022, the Free Community Tax Service program brought together 43 volunteers to help local residents file 940 federal returns, saving clients as much as $429,580 in tax preparation fees and bringing back more than $1,414,175 in refunds and credits, at 6 full-service VITA sites managed by United Way, plus 2 completely virtual sites managed by AARP/TCE. Clients reported using those funds and the Earned Income Tax Credits to pay for food, clothing, bills, rent, and to put toward savings. 170 filers received Earned Income Tax credits. In conjunction with home buyer workshops, a personal finance blog, free financial coaching, and the Bank on Bloomington program, the Free Community Tax Service is a key component of United Way of Monroe County’s financial stability initiatives.
Along with United Way of Monroe County and Financial Stability Alliance, partners of the Free Community Tax Service include 2-1-1, AARP, Area 10 Agency on Aging Endwright Center East, Brown County Public Library, City of Bloomington, First Financial Bank, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, MCCSC Broadview Adult Learning, Monroe County Public Library, and community volunteers.
To learn more about the Free Community Tax Service, free tax preparation sites dates and times, a tax preparation checklist, the EITC, and to see if they qualify, residents can visit www.MonroeUnitedWay.org/FreeTaxes.
This Week in Hoosier History
1997 – Jeff Gordon of Pittsboro, Indiana, won the Daytona 500-Mile Race. At age 25, he was the youngest person ever to win the NASCAR event which is sometimes called “The Great American Race.” He recorded an average speed of 148.295 mph, taking home a purse of more than $377,000.
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