In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Ivy Stein, an Impact Manager at the United Way of San Diego County.

Learn about the importance of having a positive community effect, particularly in San Diego County where over one-third of households experience financial hardship. Ivy talks about the coalition that she oversees, emphasizing the significance of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the area.

The discussion emphasizes how important it is to educate people with low and moderate incomes—who frequently ignore available financial aid—about tax credits. Ivy describes how the coalition grew to include over forty organizations and highlights how they all worked together to help people with their taxes, from awareness campaigns to actual tax preparation and help after filing.

In this episode, hear about the coalition's diverse range of organizations, including refugee services, and the vital role they play in helping disadvantaged communities. 

Ivy offers intimate details about her motivation for working in community impact, which stems from her desire to change the world and make sure that people in need are the direct beneficiaries of her efforts. The episode ends with a preview of upcoming efforts that seek to further combine education and economic mobility programs in order to promote comprehensive community development.

An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Ivy Stein. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:

• Raising awareness about tax credits, particularly the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), to support low and moderate-income individuals in San Diego County.
• The collaborative efforts of over 40 organizations within the coalition, spanning refugee services and community organizations, to provide comprehensive tax assistance and financial education.
• The significant impact of volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) programs in providing quality tax services and dispelled misconceptions about the free service's quality.
• Economic benefits of tax credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit in supporting families, fostering financial stability, and stimulating the local economy.
• Ivy's personal passion for community impact work and her dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those in need, highlighting the importance of holistic community development initiatives.
• The answers to the rapid-fire questions.

An excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, Ivy, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.