For immediate release.
November 11, 2022, Darien, CT
Patrick Gentile, Executive Director and founder of the CT nonprofit organization SimplifyCT, has announced the hiring of Michael Fournier as the company’s new VITA Program Director beginning December 5, 2022.
“We are thrilled to have someone with Mike’s experience and caliber of professionalism join our team,” says Gentile. “His understanding of the importance and the impact of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that helps our low-income and at-risk neighbors in Connecticut with free tax preparation and counseling, is vital.”
Fournier will be responsible for overseeing all of the VITA Program elements, including managing SimplifyCT’s virtual tax preparation offerings. This responsibility includes working collaboratively with the company’s high-volume Call Center team as well as other front-line nonprofit organizations. Fournier will manage and coordinate SimplifyCT’s virtual tax preparation activities using the Code for America GYR (Get Your Refund) case management system.
“Many people don’t realize that the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), together with tax refunds, stimulus payments, and Child Tax Credits are critical to helping hundreds of thousands of Connecticut taxpayers to pull themselves out of poverty. The first step in accessing these benefits is filing a tax return, but many people either can’t afford a professional tax preparer, or don’t understand the process or filing needs. That’s where SimplifyCT comes in.”
“Our services allow people to meet us face to face in local libraries and community centers to have their taxes done for free, or, if it’s more convenient, we can also assist them if they file online, using the Get Your Refund tool at www.getyourrefund.org/hotline, which serves people in both English and Spanish,” continues Gentile. “Mike’s crucial experience with the program and understanding the inner workings will allow us to reach more people. We’re planning to add additional service areas in more communities to help low and middle income Connecticut residents.”
Fournier was most recently at The Village for Families and Children as the VITA/EITC Program Coordinator, where he was instrumental in supporting the VITA program in the Hartford area, assisting over 6,400 residents to file taxes, resulting in over $17 Million in benefits returned to them in just the past year.
““I’m excited to get started at SimplifyCT and jump into the preparations for the new tax season,” says Fournier. “We have a lot of work to do, but by using technology and outreach tools in an efficient way, we can expand into neighborhoods and communities where the need is great. I look forward to working with all of the SimplifyCT team.”
For any questions or additional details on Mr. Fournier or the VITA program, please contact the SimplifyCT team at [email protected].
About SimplifyCT
SimplifyCT is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provider that has helped thousands of Connecticut families file tax returns virtually and in-person. SimplifyCT provides tax assistance and advice at no cost. SimplifyCT is a trusted State and national partner with organizations including the White House, the Administration for Children & Families, the Internal Revenue Service, the State of CT, and the national nonprofits Code for America, Share Our Strength, and United Way.
As an organization that works with important and private financial information, SimplifyCT has an end-to-end encrypted platform to verify safety and security for all of our clients. Additionally, SimplifyCT has call-center representatives fluent in both English and Spanish. If you haven’t filed your taxes, please call our hotline at 860-590-8910 to get started now.