Tax season can be one of the most stressful times of the year, but the Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center is doing its best to provide some relief.
The neighborhood center partnered with Empire Justice Center's CASH (Creating Assets, Savings & Hope) program for 2026. David Bruno, Manager of the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, part of the CASH program, said that this partnership came about because his organization is part of the 19th Ward Coalition. Bruno added that an integral part of the coalition is to support the financial well-being of the 19th Ward, which the Thurston Road location has been a vital part of since 1998.
"One of the ways that we're able to contribute is through the VITA program by offering free tax assistance to folks who meet the requirements of the program," said Bruno about his mainly volunteer-staffed team.
Bruno noted that it can be difficult for 19th Ward residents to find transportation to VITA's main tax services site at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County in Downtown Rochester. They decided that the neighborhood center presented a great opportunity to be a satellite site for tax services to accommodate those living in the district.
Thurston Road YMCA Neighborhood Center Executive Director Duane Yansen said this program is another way the YMCA of Greater Rochester can support the 19th Ward community. From Congregate Meals to Community Memberships, Yansen enjoys providing the CASH tax services as another free resource through the neighborhood center.
"Really, it's for people to be able to capitalize on their returns," said Yansen. "So we were just trying to eliminate barriers and get people to have that knowledge that there are services and opportunities out there that you can take advantage of that you don't have to spend for."
Bruno said the program has "exceeded expectations." The space was a perfect setup for them, allowing them to process an expected total of 100 returns by season's end.
"We can utilize [the neighborhood center on] these Saturdays for tax preparation," said Bruno. "We have people that are coming here with their financial information, and we [can] keep it separate from the activities of the Y."
One community member who had her return processed at the neighborhood center is Emma Kimble. A frequent participant in Group Exercise classes, she was pleased not to have to pay for the tax service. She also enjoyed the convenience of this service being right in her backyard at her YMCA "home" with her Y "family."
"I can walk to this Y if I choose to do so," said Kimble. "So, to me, those two things are very, very beneficial."
Bruno added how "thankful" he and his team are to be assisting the community in this way. He hopes that offering services at the neighborhood center will lessen any fears some may have about filing their taxes.
"This is our way that we can help make sure that folks get all the tax credits that they're eligible for, and make sure that they get the largest refund that they're eligible for."
