3 min read
27 October 2021

October's Volunteer of the Month helps community members with their taxes

Jennifer Mayville, Senior Manager, Communications

Each month, we highlight one of our dedicated volunteers, who is helping us to make a difference in the community. Meet our October 2021 Volunteer of the Month!

When most people think of tax time, they don’t normally think of it as a chance to change people’s lives. But for Anna Chandisingh, who volunteers at WoodGreen’s Income Tax Clinic as a Tax Preparer, she helps people to better their lives by helping them to file their taxes.

Anna Chandisingh helps people in her community by volunteering for WoodGreen’s Income Tax Clinic.

As a tax preparer, Anna assists vulnerable, marginalized, and low-income individuals in the community with their taxes. By filing their taxes, the individuals can access vital financial benefits, such as tax refunds and child care benefits, which can help them to afford essential items like food.

Anna believes the work of the tax preparation team is a significant benefit to the community by improving the quality of life of clients. Being able to access benefits and or a refund allows clients to move steps closer to financial security and empowerment.

“Volunteering with WoodGreen has given me a renewed sense of purpose, especially amidst a year of uncertainty. Working alongside the great team of volunteers and seeing the positive impact of our work has energized me and ignited a passion for helping others,” says Anna.

Being a part of WoodGreen’s community has also helped Anna to realize that she would like to switch careers and work more with marginalized groups in the future.

“It has re-affirmed for me how much I value helping others,” she says. “This is where I find the most meaning.”

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE OUR LATEST VOLUNTEER OPENINGS AND FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN APPLY.

More Blogs

WoodGreen Unites Communities By Building Bonds Through Sport

In a summer where Toronto youth came to play, WoodGreen used sport to teach leadership, inclusivity and community pride.

Read

WoodGreen’s 2023-2024 Annual Report is now available – Discover how we’re tackling Toronto’s UNMET Needs

WoodGreen Community Services' 2023-2024 Annual Report is available now. This interactive, fully-digital report features stories from our clients, staff and volunteers, as well as stats highlighting our impact in the last year.

Read

What drives someone to support WoodGreen? One donor’s story.

If you want to give back to your community but also want to fund real change, how do you decide where to give? One donor explains his choice.

Read

Why the Sprott Foundation is supporting WoodGreen’s newest poverty-prevention initiative

We have always felt that alleviating poverty starts with supporting people in a direct and immediate way. Ultimately though, we strive to support people before they need to turn to a food bank or shelter bed. That is why everyone on the Sprott Foundation’s Board of Directors is so pleased that the Foundation is financially supporting a WoodGreen pilot project, which is an innovative blend of homelessness prevention and financial empowerment, with a $1 million gift.

Read

Success of WoodGreen retrofit project exceeds expectations

Read