Middlesex VITA Program Surpasses $1 Million in Refunds

MIDDLETOWN, CT- Local volunteers with the Middlesex VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program marked a major milestone this year with the return of more than $1 million in tax refunds to local residents for the first time in the local program's history.

Over the course of a 10-week season, volunteers helped prepare 705 tax returns for qualifying individuals. Each volunteer goes through IRS-backed training to ensure clients can access any and all tax credits that may help lead to a bigger refund.

The record refund total comes as more Middlesex County residents struggle to make ends meet. According to the 2025 ALICE Report by United Way, 34% of households within the county are now at or below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. For some local towns that number is even greater. 40% of residents in Chester are considered ALICE, while Middletown stands at 46%. ALICE families often face tough decisions about finances because their cost of living is greater than their sources of income. This means refunds can make all the difference when it comes to critical needs.

"Taxes are stressful," said Greg Amy, a member of Middlesex VITA's Steering Committee. "We try to help everybody from bottom to top, left to right, and make sure everybody gets back what they deserve."

VITA volunteers see a range of clients including many single parents, particularly single mothers. Refunds tied to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can be transformative for families in need of support.

A majority of the volunteers return year after year, with some serving for over a decade. Longtime volunteers often forge lasting friendships with other volunteers and clients. This helps remove some of the stress linked to filing taxes.

"They [clients] like us. They appreciate us. They feel like we treat them with dignity and respect, and we take good care of them," said Jodi Gendrich, Site Coordinator and member of the Middlesex VITA Steering Committee, adding that many clients even come from outside the service area because they enjoy working with the team of volunteers.

"People come here because of the personalities," added Amy. "The extra that I think this particular group here in Middletown offers is the personalized, individual, happy, 'we're here to take care of you' service."

In addition to the longtime volunteers, the Middlesex VITA team also includes a number of high school students, who are helping prepare tax returns for clients while still too young to file their own.

Delaney Aronson, a senior at Haddam-Killingworth High School, helped out clients during the 2025 tax season while learning a lot in the process.

"I didn't know there was so much to it," said Aronson, who first heard about VITA while seeking out community service hours. "It's a really great life experience. And with the clients, they're just always so grateful for the work that you do."

Community partnerships have also played a major role in the record-breaking year for Middlesex VITA. In-person appointments are crucial for clients and having sites at Wesleyan University, Russell Library, Impact (formerly Marc Community Resources), St. Vincent de Paul and the Amazing Grace Food Pantry ensured individuals had access without having to travel too far. Middlesex United Way also provided support through raising awareness of the program, while United Way's 2-1-1 helpline serves as a critical access point for clients.

Nick Brundage, VITA Program Manager at Advancing Connecticut Together (ACT), praised these strong community partnerships and the team of volunteers both locally and at the 52 other VITA sites across Connecticut for keeping the program growing.

"You are a cornerstone of what we're able to accomplish," said Brundage. "We could not do what we do without hardworking, determined volunteers like you."

If you are interested in volunteering with Middlesex VITA during the upcoming 2026 tax season, you can learn more by reaching out to the steering committee directly via email. Individuals interested in becoming VITA clients can learn more by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org.