In September, Prosperity Now launched the second iteration of the VITA Leadership Institute, through generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The VITA Leadership Institute (VLI) aims to train a diverse class of ten emerging VITA leaders to build their capacity to expand and scale free, high-quality, and racially equitable tax preparation services for low-income taxpayers in their communities. Over the next year, we are working with our cohort to build the VITA leadership capacity through peer learning calls, one-on-one individualized technical assistance, and support for local EITC Awareness Day events, which will all culminate in a digital toolkit of lessons learned that we share with the entire Taxpayer Opportunity Network. This month, we are spotlighting one of our cohort members, Alphonse Piard (pictured below at VITACon 2023), Director of Financial Literacy Services at Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center in North Miami, Florida.

Tell us a little bit about your organization, Sant La. What do you do? Who do you serve? 

Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center was founded on December 6, 2000, by concerned community leaders and service providers seeking to address the chronic lack of access to services resulting from the Haitian community's socio-linguistic isolation. Sant La is led by a broad-based 15-member community board with representatives from public and private sector organizations. For the past 20 years, Sant La has successfully created or implemented several signature programs that improve health and well-being and promote self-sufficiency, financial security, integration, and civic engagement in the Haitian community in Miami-Dade.  

We primarily serve the low-income Haitian Creole-speaking residents who reside in North Miami and the adjacent Northeast Corridor neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The influx of Haitian residents has spilled over into nearby Northeast Corridor Cities of El Portal, Miami Shores, North Miami Beach, and Miami Gardens. Based on the 2020 Census data, the estimated population within the combined cities exceeds 600,000 people.   

What are some successes you would like to highlight about your VITA work? How has your VITA program impacted your community? 

Sant La’s VITA site has experienced sustainable growth throughout the last twenty years. While the advertisement was promoting tax credits for low-to-moderate income families, our financial coaching component was leading the path toward asset building. Many families were able to use their refund as a funding source for their downpayment toward homeownership, to purchase large items such as cars, or to gradually fund their education needs. Having the free tax preparation service be the entry point of this long process makes VITA the pillar of these journeys as well as a key element of socioeconomic mobility. 

On the other hand, since its inception twenty years ago our VITA site has built a legacy of trust in this community that is plagued with unscrupulous tax preparers. Today our clients refer to our center as the safe place to go to protect their identity and to avoid the many scams that grow like mushrooms in the community 

What tools, resources, etc. have helped make your work a success? 
 
I consider the following to be keys to our success: 

• In-house Volunteers: Sant La has implemented an in-house volunteer system that has worked well. Volunteers are Sant La employees who are trained and certified in tax law and software. This means the organization has a very stable pool of tax preparers every year, who will know a client’s situation and history, and who will be able to provide them with personalized and accurate service. 

• Outreach through radio and Community TV: Clients and community members can learn more about tax-related topics and issues through the outreach programs that our VITA Program offers. These include radio segments and Teleskopi, a community TV show that informs and educates the Haitian community about tax matters. You can also ask questions and get answers from the experts on these platforms. 

• A network of Partners: You can access a sustainable network of partners that can help you with other services related to tax preparation. These include Branches under Miami Tax Pro, a professional tax group that can assist you with complex tax situations, and Legal Services of Greater Miami, a low-income taxpayer clinic (LITC) that can help you with tax disputes and minor controversies. 

What are you looking forward to most within the VITA Leadership Institute? 

I look forward to learning best practices and experiences from other VITA sites and coalitions nationwide. The opportunity to be part of this cohort where we can discuss everything related to VITA operations and service delivery. The guidance from Prosperity Now is another aspect that drives my motivation as well. Participation in cohorts like this opens access to new knowledge that contributes to the advancement of the field. 

What has motivated you to be a part of the Taxpayer Opportunity Network? 

Taxation is a complex and dynamic field that requires constant learning and updating. Whether you are a tax professional, a business owner, or an individual taxpayer, you need to stay on top of the latest tax laws, regulations, and best practices. But how can you do that without spending a fortune on courses, books, and subscriptions? That’s where a tax network comes in. A tax network is a community of tax experts and enthusiasts who share their knowledge, insights, and experiences with each other. By joining a tax network, like the Taxpayer Opportunity Network, you can benefit from: 

• Access to a wealth of tax information and resources, such as articles, podcasts, webinars, newsletters, and more. 

• Networking opportunities with other tax professionals and peers, who can offer you advice, feedback, referrals, and support. 

• Learning opportunities from experts who can teach you new skills, techniques, and strategies to improve your tax practice or situation. 

TON is more than just a source of information, it is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and growth.  

What about you? What has led you to do this work? What drives you? 

I think I was first attracted to the program by the educational opportunity of receiving comprehensive IRS-certified training that helps navigate the intricacies of tax laws and filing processes. With a background in Finance & Economics, I saw an opportunity to practice and develop certain skills pertaining to tax preparation services at the very beginning and financial coaching a few years later. 

Furthermore, there is a sense of personal fulfillment that comes from helping others, especially when it can lead to tangible benefits for them. As Sant La’s site has returned to the Haitian Community at large an average of $1.2M yearly, there is a sense of being part of a bigger picture: the social impact on the betterment of this immigrant population. Finally, by helping low-to-moderate income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities prepare their taxes, I have a direct impact on their lives