UFSC Puget Sound Chapter•KeyBank• Microsoft present “Handshakes and Headshots”

UFSC-Puget Sound Chapter

3518 Fremont Ave N., #350

Seattle, WA 98103

CONTACT:  President Michael W. Gartrell  Jr.

Phone: 206-326-0109

E-mail:  president@ufscps.org    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Friday, November 13, 2015

Seattle – The Urban Financial Services Coalition – Puget Sound (UFSC-PS) Chapter and the Microsoft Store University Village has developed a fully packed community partnership to provide professional development through the Windows10 landscape.  The partnership will support the UFSC Puget Sound Chapter professionals hone their Office 365 skills.   President Michael W. Gartrell  Jr. (pictured left) believes the new relationship lends an alternative to hosting board of director meetings in a virtual environment.

“Part of the bigger Microsoft4Afrika initiative, delivers a promise to empower millions of young Africans with opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. It’s been designed so they can change not only their own lives but also the lives of people around them, thereby making a real impact on the local and global stage.”  This opportunity perfectly aligns with the UFSC-PS Chapter Hear the Cries of Africa annual fundraiser that was held at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance on June 2, 2015.

The Northgate Middle College High School students are offered alternative learning styles through the lens of technology at the University Village store.   It’s more than just aspiration; it’s a responsibility to develop the workforce and incorporate standards in the workplace.  “Professional Development is What We are All About,” quotes UFSC-PS Chapter Executive Director Lizzie L. Evans.

“We are looking forward to supporting UFSCPS through regularly scheduled workshops by store staff to provide Microsoft Technology training that will help build a thriving workforce in Seattle,” adds Josh Kawinski (pictured right), Community Development Specialist at Microsoft Store University Village. The store will provide product advisors to regularly scheduled workshops to create a common language.

KeyBank Pacific NW Community Relations Manager David J. Parent notes that this program helps build a thriving workforce and neatly matches KeyBank’s giving strategy to do exactly that. The UFSC-PS Chapter is grateful for the support of KeyBank senior executives in supporting this community development initiative.

Please register to attend this event on November 20, 2015 at www.ufscps.org.  Seating is limited. Complimentary refreshments provided by KeyBank.

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Youth Intern Community Program – Open Enrollment

Benefits to the Participants:

The core tracks of the program are finance, business, and technology/multimedia driven. While the UFSC is not compensating interns participating in the program, some of the universities have paid internship programs that may apply.  Please check with your campus student aid or after-hours school work/study programs. Scholarships for college will be awarded to a select group of students at the May 18th dinner. A competitive group will be selected to attend an all-expense paid trip to the one-week UFSC Mark I Apprentice Challenge program (a $1,200 value) in St. Louis, MO from June 9 -16th. Valuable skills will be gained from the Operation Hope’s Business-In-A-Box enabling the participant to start their own business. The community project assignments in August could lead into lifetime opportunities and real world achievements. The opportunities in the Youth Intern Community Program are boundless and the possibilities are borderless.

Application Submission:

Students may submit all documents by email (scanned version of the following documents is accepted: acceptance letter, registration invoice or Bursar’s receipt, transcripts). The reference letter, if sent by email, must be sent from the author of the letter directly to UFSC-PS Chapter. Resume, essay and internship application form may be emailed from the student.

Students may also submit all their application documents by regular mail. A copy of the acceptance letter, registration invoice or Bursar’s receipt, and transcript is accepted (originals not required). The reference letter must be signed.  Note that all documents must be received by Saturday, February 16^th, 2013 at MLK FAME Community Center in the Auditorium located at 3201 E. Republican Street, Room 109A, Seattle, WA 98112.

Who to Contact:

This program is steered by the Central District Youth With Purpose committee. A group of concerned citizens and residents of the 98122 Central District. Contact Diana Benton at chipperbenton@aol.com for more info. Complete the attached application intern application and return to UFSC-PS Mentorship Committee Chair April McPherson at mentorship@ufscps.org as soon as possible.  Parents are welcome. Light refreshments provided.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Volunteers Needed

Why Volunteer with VITA?
An over-whelming number of people are living in poverty.  You can help to lift someone out of poverty! You can help low-income families keep the heat on during the winter months, put food on the table, pay bills, and visit the doctor.

From January through April, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helps working and low-income individuals and families save money through free tax preparation.

Trained volunteers assist with federal tax forms and file them electronically to speed the receipt of refunds. Volunteers may also provide quality review or interpretation services, or serve as greeters who welcome clients to the site.  See attached flyer for description of positions eEnterprises Volunteer Flyer .

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs for working families.  Each year 6.6 million people, half of them children, are lifted out of poverty due to receipt of receipt of the EITC. 

The IRS estimates that 20%-25% of qualifying workers miss out on thousands of dollars every year, because they fail to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Benefits to Volunteers

• Develop Valuable Life  Skills
• Gain Hands-On Experience
• Build Your Resume
• Free Basic Tax Law Training
• Personal Satisfaction
• Upon Completion, Receive  a Certificate of Appreciation from the IRS
• Flexible Hours (Including Weeknights and Weekends)
• Receive Continuing Profession Education (CPE) Credits for Instructing

Thanks for helping to Make a Difference.

Contact VITA Program Lead Diana Tang, CPA at dianat@microsoft.com for certification training.

Another UFSC-PS Chapter strategic relations in Stakeholder Partnerships Education and Communication.