April 15 may be a day most people dread, but not at Thomas Downey High School! Thanks to an incredible group of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students, Tax Day has become a celebration of learning, leadership, and community impact.
Led by FBLA adviser Tera Coleman, these student leaders aren’t just talking about financial literacy, they’re living it. What started in the 2023-2024 school year as a bold new initiative has become a full-fledged community service operation. After completing rigorous tax certification training, students partnered with the United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide free tax prep for low-income and elderly residents.
The results? Nothing short of amazing! At the time this was written, Downey students had filed 403 tax returns, unlocked more than $606,000 in refunds, and helped local families save more than $105,000 in filing fees, all while gaining valuable real-world experience.
The timing couldn't have been better. April is also Financial Literacy Month, and the Downey FBLA crew is showing what it means to be financially savvy and community-minded.
“The community is very grateful and satisfied with the experience,” said Coleman. “They appreciate interacting with the high school students and are reassured knowing every return is carefully reviewed. Many people have mentioned that it’s such a great opportunity for students to learn about finances and to share that knowledge with their community.”
Coleman is enthusiastic about where this partnership is headed.
While the original plan was to work with local businesses, the collaboration with United Way has turned out to be even more rewarding for both students and the community.
“The United Way has been the perfect community partner,” said Coleman. “This collaboration gives my students hands-on experience that they couldn’t get in any other internship, given the complexities and liabilities of tax work. They get to work directly with clients, interact with tax software, learn about a wide range of tax situations, and receive mentorship from the wonderful United Way staff. Plus, their work has a meaningful, positive impact on the community. It's a win-win!”
If you know someone who still needs to file, there’s still time! The United Way is accepting appointments through April 26. Call (209) 523-4562 to check availability.
This collaboration highlights how students can take on real responsibilities in a community-focused setting. Through their involvement, they gain hands-on experience while contributing to efforts that extend beyond the tax season.