Financial Literacy

OpenDoors offers financial literacy classes and tax preparation services to our clients and their families.  These services are designed to compliment other services offered in the Resource Center (including employment classes, computer proficiency classes, and womens' and men's support groups) to provide our clients with holistic support as they seek a stability and security.

Classes Offered

Connecting to Services:
This two-hour class is specifically designed for people without an income. It will provide an overview of services available through city and state agencies, in addition to free and low-cost services available to the general public. This class is offered regularly through our Resource Center and inside Men’s Minimum Security facility.

Managing Income and Debt:
This class will be offered each month. It teaches basic financial literacy skills including creating a spending plan, keeping track of financial documents, preparing for tax season, and setting financial goals. Participants will have an opportunity to retrieve a copy of their credit report following participation in the program, and can receive individualized help addressing debt.

Building Savings:
Building Savings is specifically designed for individuals with incomes, and will be by referral only.  Topics include: credit, predatory lending, banking, financial goal-setting, reducing debt, and building savings.  Individuals who complete the Building Savings class are eligible for ongoing one-on-one financial counseling. Those who maintain appointments with their financial counselor will be eligible for matching savings accounts distributed on a quarterly basis.

Special Events:
We will also be hosting special financial events regularly out of the Resource Center.  You can also check out our website for additional online resources in our financial literacy library!

For more information about our financial literacy services, stop by or call 401.781.5808x100.

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Tax Preparation

OpenDoors can help you file your income taxes for free, as part of the VITA Tax Preparation program. Our program has received national recognition for its tax preparation services for the incarcerated.

It is estimated that at least 10 million dollars in tax credits are lost to our local economy each year. A portion of that loss is because people who worked in the tax year prior to incarceration do not receive the qualified tax preparation an dinformation needed to access their returns. Our goal is to ensure that all of our clients receive the tax refunds and credits that they deserve. We have contributed significantly to the local economy by putting EITC and child tax credits into the hands of our neighbors who need it most.

For the 2008 tax season, the OpenDoors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provided tax preparation and electronic filing for 215 clients and their families, including 35 returns for clients behind the walls. This was our best year to date, and was made possible through a close collaboration with the RI Department of Corrections. We processed $328,363 in total refunds, which included $137,336 in the earned income tax credit (EITC), the largest anti-poverty program sponsored by the federal government.

 OpenDoors is a United Way of Rhode Island 2010-2012 Impact Grant Recipient.