Student Kailani Therriault named VITA Rookie of the Year

Student volunteer Kailani Therriault was recently recognized as Rookie of the Year by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Willimantic for completing $825,000 worth of refunds and tax credits for the local community.

Each year, the accounting program at Eastern Connecticut State University partners with VITA to assist community members in Willimantic with tax returns and refunds. “We have had a great partnership with Eastern over the years and look forward to continuing our partnership in the upcoming tax season,” said VITA Program Coordinator Mike Fournier. “The ECSU students are critical to our success in Willimantic."

VITA offers several opportunities for Eastern students, including internships, work study and volunteering. Moh’d RuJoub, professor of accounting, invites VITA representatives to meet with Eastern’s Accounting Society every year to promote the program.

VITA services are free and assist community members in all 50 states. VITA usually assists those who make $58,000 or less per year, people with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers. VITA sites are run by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers dedicated to making a difference in their communities. The Village Coalition of VITA serves Hartford, Tolland and Windham counties.

Written by Noel Teter

Categories: Accounting, Awards and Accolades, Accounting and Business Information Systems, Community Engagement