IRS extends tax filing deadline to May 17
On Tuesday, more than 100 lawmakers, including four representatives from Virginia, signed a letter asking the IRS to extend the deadline to July 15. With the IRS handling a third-round of stimulus checks and fewer tax service aides available because of the coronavirus pandemic, agencies are feeling the pressure. AdEvery year, Total Action for Progress (TAP) offers free tax filing services. โWith a pandemic still hanging over our heads, I would love to get some more time.โTo meet in the middle, the IRS set the new deadline date for May 17. But more than 150 million tax returns are expected to be filed this year and with the new deadline, tax refund checks may not arrive until 6 to 8 weeks after filing.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia to close, but mission will continue
Effective Jan. 31, 2021, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Virginia will close; however, that doesnโt mean the end of the organizationโs mentoring program. โWe determined over time that the expense of running the program, as Big Brothers Big Sisters was just too much of a financial capacity for us and so in the past several months, we started looking out to other organizations who could assist,โ BBBS Board President Laura Carini said. โWhile we are sad to close the areaโs largest and longest-running youth mentoring program, we are confident it is the right choice. We are forever grateful to TAP and confident the organization provides the experience and resources necessary to best serve our children.โTAP will not use the name Big Brothers Big Sisters due to the expense of the affiliation fees that accompany the name and branding. The mentoring program will become a component of TAPโs Super Hero Kids program and be called Super Hero Kids Connections.
Roanoke leaders honor violence victims of 2020
ROANOKE, Va. โ On Thursday night, community leaders gathered in downtown Roanoke for peace and prayer this holiday season and beyond. The annual Bridging the Community Gap brings Total Action for Progress, faith leaders and city officials together. They gathered in front of the tree in Wells Fargo Plaza to remember those lost to violence in 2020 and pledge to take a stand moving forward. With the pandemic this year, they had to scale back the event, but organizers said it still sends a message. It represents peace and healing organizers want in the community.
How the pandemic is shedding light on need for parenting classes like Fathers First
ROANOKE, Va. Fathers Day is just a few short days away but theres a local program that celebrates fatherhood 365 days a year. Fathers First is a 10-week program through Total Action for Progress (TAP) on discipline, communication, parenting and handling emotion in healthier ways. That, along with the pandemic becoming a parenting lesson itself, is why they decided to move on with the class virtually. Ed Hrinya, fatherhood development specialist for First Fathers said he wants to help give local fathers the tools they need to handle conversations like that. So really giving our parents the tools they need to help their children during this time is very important, said Hrinya.
TAP training nursing aides for in-demand career
ROANOKE, Va.- - Total Action for Progress prepares students for a career in health care through one of their most popular programs. Their nurse aide program allows qualified people to work with the elderly, disabled and chronically ill, to gain skills to become a certified care provider. One students says she was inspired by a family member to go into this field. "My grandmother, she kind of encouraged me because in 2012 she was placed on hospice. That was a lot to deal with and I feel that prepared me for the health care field," said Monique Epps, student.