Tax Season Comes to an End

 The Mobile Enrollment team attended 43 tax clinics this season, completed 510 applications and traveled a total of 8,882 miles.   We could not have done this without the help of our 2nd seats and wonderful host sites along the way. 

A big shout out to folks that acted as a 2nd seats!  Thank you.  Your time and energy is much appreciated.  Here is a list of our tax season travel partners who shared road miles with us:  Martin, Elizabeth, Brent, Jasmine, Dan, Daniel, Carol W., Jessica, Zach, Erin W., Mo, Sarah, Suzanna, and Megan. 

It has been great to get to know you all better!



Transitioning Back to Benefits

Starting in the middle of January, it's been nothing but taxes, taxes, taxes. Erin and I have helped hundreds of clients over the past three months and we have nothing but taxes on our brain. The Ohio Benefit Bank tax module has dozens of screens and I am confident that we memorized every single one.

Now, in mid-April, it's time to start transitioning into benefits. What better way than to team up with our pals at the Lutheran Social Services Mobile Pantry. We made the drive down to Pomeroy and started talking to people in line for the food distribution.

Erin and I did great. We completed 11 applications in about two hours and spoke to all 180 people that went through the distribution. But, man, I was rusty.

I can't speak for Erin here, but I felt just a shade slower than my usual self. I had to look up things (income eligiblity requirements, Legal Aid numbers), that I can usually access in mere seconds. Of course, it's not like food insecurity takes a break between January-April. I don't get to ease my way back into this.

But then I was surrounded by a Zen-like feeling of calm. I was thinking of January. When January hit, I was a little bit slower when it came to helping clients submit their taxes. I needed to look more things up. I didn't every page memorized. But soon, with repetition and practice, I was back to my old self.

With taxes in our rearview mirror, it's time to switch gears. Soon, I'll be at full speed. I can't wait.

Wellsville Hosts the Mobile Express

The Mobile Express team visited Wellsville, Ohio conducting a tax clinic outside the local library.  Cindy Slavens, pictured below, had much enthusiasm for the van and our services.  Her work passion has been to advocate for people with disabilities in addition to being an Ohio Benefit Bank counsellor. 

OBB Volunteer Patricia Murphy, Russell, Cindy Slavens, and Erin

At the clinic, Julianna and Robert came in to do their taxes with Russell.  This couple has been married for 61 years and are still going strong.  They were excited to have their return completed for free through the Ohio Benefit Bank.

Julianna and Robert Baur

And We're Off!

Rev. Vincent Harris, chaplain at Beulah Park race track in Grove City, invited the OBB Team to provide services for those who work at the racetrack. His work is sanctioned by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America--a group that helps coordinate the assignment of 61 chaplains at 82 tracks nationwide.  His work as a missionary through the American Baptist Association proves to be both interesting and challenging.  On any given day he may support a family of a fallen jockey rider or provide food to those who need it out of his trailer on site. 



He invites Mt. Carmel Health to provide mobile health services.
Pictured here are some volunteers from the local high school.

Groomers, exercise riders, and maintenance workers live on the property during the racing season in small apartments (10’x 10’concrete block rooms).The work is hard and the pay nominal--if any (many work in exchange for room and board).  It was clear to Russell and I that there is a great sense of community behind the track and a palpable love of horses. 

Beulah Park is open from October-April. Workers will migrate to other racetracks as Beulah’s season comes to a close. Rev. Harris was so happy to hear that the Mobile Express serves people statewide and informed us that we will be off to River Downs next!

 


OBB Mobile Express working beside the chaplain's trailer.

 

We completed 19 applications with 10 people while Rev. Harris served up hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill.



Man known as"Cowboy" with Erin.  Cowboy gave a behind the scenes tour --introducing the horses, their trainers while sharing a little about life behind the race track. 
Cowboy is an "old hand" to horse racing and owns many horses.






Horses get exercise on these merry go round type contraptions.