HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY
University of Georgia
Tax Resources
VITA - UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
The UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services to the Athens community and across Georgia, improving family economic well-being and stability.
Services:
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Help clients claim tax credits: Tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) often go unclaimed, leaving up to $6,935 on the table (depending on qualifications). Many other tax credits are also available that can not be claimed unless taxes are filed.
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Save Taxpayers Money: By utilizing VITA services, taxpayers do not have to pay high prices to have their taxes filed. They can rest assured that all preparations were correctly completed, and they can maximize their benefits.
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Connect Clients to other Services: VITA sites and volunteers can connect clients to financial resources such as bank accounts, financial education, or financial coaching.
Contact Information:
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Lance Palmer
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(706) 542-4397
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Academic Resources
Upward Bound
Upward Bound is a college preparatory program designed to generate the skills and motivation necessary for success in post-secondary education among high school students who are low income and potential first-generation college students. The mission of Upward Bound is to encourage and assist high school students who are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education because of income, family educational background and/or other relevant federal, state, or institutional criteria, in the preparation for, entry to, and completion of a post-secondary education.
Contact Information:
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Jacquie Gholston
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(706) 542-4128
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ULead Athens
ULead Athens mission is to create an inclusive and safe environment for Athens-area un(der)documented immigrant students and students from immigrant families. Their goal is to prepare them to pursue higher education, to advocate with students for equal access to higher education, and to provide access to human and financial resources that will allow students to graduate from college.
Contact Information:
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Betina Kaplan
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(706) 521-4082 (English or Spanish)
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Jobeth Allen
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(706) 224-1411 (English)
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Services
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College Preparation and Mentoring
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Assistance with College Searches and Guidance
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ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER Test Prep
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FAFSA Completion and Renewal
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DACA Renewal
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Tutoring
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College Factory
College Factory is a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing high school students for post-secondary work and career goals. Instructors focus on topics such as SAT preparation, support with resume writing, assistance with financial aid, and much more. Some of their programs include a SAT Boot Camp, college and career coaching through their Go Succeed Program, and entrepreneurship and financial literacy help through their Young Entrepreneur Summer Series.
Contact Information:
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Britany Siewe
Healthcare Resources
Athens Neighborhood Health Center
Athens Neighborhood Health Center provides affordable, high-quality healthcare to all individuals in Athens-Clarke County and surrounding areas.
Contact Information:
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Carol Stephens, Site Manager
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(706) 543-1145
Services:
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General Practice, Family Practice, Pediatrics, Acute Care, Chronic Care, Medication Program Services, Laboratory Services, Immunizations, Mental Health
Athens Nurses Clinic
The Athens Nurses Clinic works hard to provide medical services for low- and no-income Georgians who do not have health insurance.
Contact Information:
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(706) 613-6979
Teen Matters Athens
Teen Matters is a public health clinic that provides confidential health services for young people up to 19 years old in a teen-friendly environment. Teens can also get relationship advice, nutrition and exercise information, help with decision-making, and sex education. All services provided are free.
Contact Information:
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Clarke County
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Cedar
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(706) 227-7198
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Central
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(706) 369-5670
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Madison County
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(706) 795-2506
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Northeast Health Department
The Northeast Health Department offers free or low-cost health services. They serve counties in and around Athens including Clarke, Oconee, Madison, Barrow, and Oglethorpe. Additionally, all county Health Departments offer Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Services.
Advantage Behavioral Health Services
As a publicly-funded provider of behavioral health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services for Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties, Advantage Behavioral offers a wide variety of community support services.
Services:
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Adult Behavioral Health Services
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Child and Adolescent Services
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Addictive Disease Services
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Evidence Based Services
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Crisis Stabilization
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Developmental Disabilities
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Medication Assistance Program
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Village Drug Shop at Advantage
Shifa Clinic
Shifa Clinic Athens is a non-profit clinic with a mission to provide free healthcare services to those under-insured in the Athens, GA area.
Contact Information:
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(706) 850-4588
Services:
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Internal Medicine
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Rheumatology
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Family Medicine
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Nephrology
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Psychiatry
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Neurology
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Pediatrics
La Clínica in LaK'ech
La Clínica in LaK'ech is a mental health clinic in Athens that provides bilingual and bicultural counseling services for the Latino community at no charge.
Contact Information:
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(706) 389-8462
Services:
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Psychological and telehealth services
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Other Resources
Clarke County Mentor Program
The Clarke County Mentor Program works with all 21 schools in the Clarke-County School District. Mentors serve grades Kindergarten to 12th grade, and students receive in-school mentoring that occurs at their school. Mentors and mentees meet in the counselor’s office, the library, playground, lunchroom, or any other spaces allowed by a student’s teacher or school counselor. This program began in 1991 to increase the number of students who graduated from high school, and who were prepared for employment or post-secondary education.
Contact Information:
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(706) 850-0315
Project SAFE
Project Safe is a nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services, systems change advocacy, and prevention and education. Project Safe’s primary service area is Madison County, Oconee County, Clarke County, and Oglethorpe County, but provides services in both English and Spanish to people from all over Georgia. Services include emergency shelter to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, as well as counseling and outreach assistance that helps teens recognize and avoid unhealthy relationships. For more information on the Project Safe’s many services, please click below to visit their website.
Contact Information:
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Hotline: (706) 543-3331
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Textline: (706) 765-8019
Project F.R.E.E.
Through a federal grant, we are providing evidence-informed programs to improve couple and co-parenting functioning, increase economic stability and create positive and stable homes. Our couple and co-parenting programs are designed to help parents form, improve, and sustain healthy relationships. We are also providing services to help families make progress toward lasting economic stability. These programs are free. At each class, parents are offered a hot meal, on-site childcare, and a $10 gift card. Parents can also participate in research that will support future programs, and each participant can earn up to $175.
Contact Information:
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Clarke, Elbert, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe County
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Mikki Burnett
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(706) 286-2044
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Barrow, Jackson, and Walton County
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Brigette Love
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(706) 286-2997
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Greene, Morgan, Newton, and Rockdale County
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Brittney Thompson
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(706) 286-2282
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The Sparrow's Nest
The Sparrow’s Nest is a non-profit, Christ-centered ministry that seeks to change lives. The organization provides a variety of services such as food assistance, shower/laundry services, social services, and a computer lab. The Social Services Ministry assesses clients’ needs and provides assistance with prescription medications, obtaining a Georgia ID or birth certificate, addiction recovery services, and referrals to various other local service agencies. For more information, please click below to visit The Sparrow's Nest's website.
Contact Information:
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(706) 549-6693
Casa de Amistad
Casa de Amistad is an organization that works to identify and address the needs of the under-served Hispanic community. Their mission is to offer direct service, education, advocacy and community involvement. Casa de Amistad works to create a just, harmonious, and multicultural community. Casa de Amsitad provides free services regardless of religious affiliation, sex, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political beliefs.
Contact Information:
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706-621-5464
Services Available:
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Immigration Support
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Free English Classes (ESL)
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GED Classes
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Providing Referral Forms for:
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Clinics, Doctors, Lawyers, Etc.
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Child Support Issues
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Landlord/Tenant Communication
The Ark
The Ark provides emergency financial assistance, financial education, and asset building programs to low income working families when they are faced with an unexpected financial crisis.
Contact Information:
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(706) 548-8155
St. Joseph Charities
St. Joseph Charities provides help to needy families and individuals by offering financial assistance for rent, utilities, and non-narcotic prescriptions.
Contact Information:
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(706) 850-7777
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