Events - Mar 24 21

IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD MADE LESS THAN $57,000 IN 2020, you may be eligible to get your income taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers.

OPTION 1: Visit www.getyourrefund.org/midcstme  to start your online intake process. 

You’ll answer a series of questions, upload documents, and receive phone calls from our team before we e-file your return.

OPTION 2: File your own taxes (with access to helpline support) at myfreetaxes.com.

OPTION 3: No mobile device or computer?  No problem!  Call (207) 295-6340 to be sent an intake packet. Complete all forms, gather your documents, and head to one of our Scan & Go sites in Boothbay, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Topsham, and Wiscasset. All your documents will be scanned into GetYourRefund for you and your original documents will immediately be returned to you. You’ll receive phone calls from our team before we e-file your return.

Got questions? Call Kelly (207) 295-6340 or email uwcash@uwmcm.org

Please note: We are receiving a high number of calls — thank you for your patience.

 

Midcoast CA$H, the free tax preparation service offered by United Way of Midcoast Maine, has teamed up with GetYourRefund to connect people to our IRS-certified volunteers working virtually. This year, because of Covid-19 restrictions, there are 2 options to file taxes with Midcoast CA$H, both of which are safe and secure and require no direct contact.

The first option, the fastest way for people to get their refund, starts by visiting www.getyourrefund.org/midcstme – a fast, reliable, and free service that connects users with Midcoast CA$H’s tax preparers. It is as simple as answering a series of questions, then using a cell phone or computer to upload documents for the tax preparers to review before filing. Judy, a recent CA$H client exclaimed “It’s so easy, I’m embarrassed!” after worrying it would be difficult to use the GetYourRefund website.

The second option is called Scan & Go for people without a cell phone or computer. By calling (207) 295-6340 clients will initiate the process and be sent an intake packet. All the forms needed to file the taxes can be taken to one of the Scan & Go sites in Brunswick, Topsham, or the multiple locations in Lincoln County. All the documents will be scanned into GetYourRefund for the client and immediately returned to them.

Midcoast CA$H is part of the CA$H Maine initiative and this year’s tax preparation service supported by BIW, Bath Savings Institution, Bowdoin College, CEI, Davenport Trust, First Federal Savings & Loan, First National Bank, General Dynamics, John T. Gorman Foundation, IRS/VITA, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Maine Women’s Fund, Midcoast Maine Community Action, New Ventures Maine, and Norway Savings.

The American Lung Association’s 2021 Trek Across Maine has been reimagined into a virtual Cycle Your Way format now through June 30th! Cycling is a great way to improve both your physical and mental health, while giving an extra boost to your immune system. We encourage you to participate in the virtual event as this allows you to get outside while still practicing social distancing!

Money raised will support public health efforts related to lung disease, including COVID-19 research. Over the next three years, the American Lung Association has pledged $25 million to:

• Provide free lung health education and masks to those in need.
• Protect public health by advocating for COVID and flu vaccines in underserved communities of color.
• Prevent future outbreaks by investing in respiratory virus research.

What: If you choose to participate in the cycling portion of the virtual event, complete 60, 120 or 180 miles on an indoor or outdoor bike (or mix of both) at your own pace and in segments if preferred. All virtual participants that raise the minimum $250 by June 30th will receive an accomplishment medal and event t-shirt. You can earn incentives the more you raise!

When: Now through June 30^th, 2021.

Where: Anywhere you’d like, just make sure to always practice social distancing. Sample routes throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts will be provided as well.

How: Visit the event website (TrekAcrossMaine.org) and register as a virtual participant for $25. You will receive everything you need to successfully complete the virtual event from there!

Extras: Join our  Trek Across Maine Group on Strava. You can connect your tracking devices to the Strava app so others can see your progress. We also encourage you to join our Trek Across Maine group to stay in touch with other participants and post photos of your ride/screenshots of your progress.

Atlantic Federal Credit Union will present a virtual Home Buyer Seminar on Wednesday, March 24, from 5:30 p.m., to 7:00 p.m. Experienced financial professionals will offer insights and provide valuable tips about the home buying process. Attendees will learn what to expect during the loan process, how to prepare for an application, and learn the definitions of real estate jargon.  

Laurie Gaudreau, Atlantic Mortgage Outreach Loan Originator and seminar presenter, stated, “I am excited about the information we have to share, including the importance of an appraisal and title search. Buying a home may seem daunting, but it does not have to be. An event like this provides a great opportunity to ask questions and gain confidence before starting the home buying process.” 

Those interested in signing up or looking for more information about the event can visit atlanticfcu.com/home-buyer-seminar.html. The seminar is complimentary, but registration is required by March 21, 2021. 

Atlantic Federal Credit Union is Maine’s leading credit union, with over $870 million in assets and over 49,000 members. In addition to the nine branches in Biddeford, Brunswick, Cumberland, Freeport, Saco, Sanford, South Sanford, Topsham, and York, new Video Banking by Atlantic has been added to assist members. Visit the Atlantic website at www.atlanticfcu.com’

 

We’re offering an online group for teens this spring!

This virtual group is for teenagers (14-18 years old) who have experienced or are concerned about sexual violence. This group will meet on Wednesdays from 7:30-9 PM EST on our HelpRoom from March 24th-April 28th. Our online HelpRoom is an anonymous space for people impacted by sexual violence to connect with one another virtually. Our trained advocates help facilitate these group discussions to make sure the HelpRoom is a safe and supportive place for everyone. To join, visit affiliate.rainn.org/helproom/sassmm and enter the chat. No sign up necessary! You can join for as many sessions as you’d like.

Not a teen but interested in our HelpRoom? We have two reoccurring groups for anyone impacted by sexual violence! Visit www.sassmm.org/helproom more information.

If you’re looking for immediate support, you can reach an advocate anytime by calling our 24-hour Helpline at 1-800-871-7741.