Free Tax Assistance Program - VITA PROGRAM English / VITA PROGRAM Spanish
Burlington Weed & Seed Initiative, with Freedom Fellowship Church and Hocutt Memorial Church, has partnered with the IRS and Department of Justice to provide the VITA Program to the community, particularly those with low and limited income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking and elderly taxpayers.
The VITA program, through volunteers, helps taxpayers prepare their tax return at NO COST. In this way, they will not have to use their refund to pay someone to prepare their tax return. Low-income residents will be able to receive tax refunds up to $4,000 per each year filed. Taxes can be completed and e-filed free of charge to those who qualify.
Weed and Seed is a multi-agency strategy to “weed out” violent crime, gang activity, drug use and drug trafficking in targeted neighborhoods and then “seed” the target area by restoring these neighborhoods through social and economic revitalization. Click HERE for the English version Weed and Seed Brochure or HERE for the Spanish Brochure version.
Our Burlington Weed and Seed is a law enforcement strategy to improve the quality of life in east Burlington. Our crime rate is higher than that in the rest of the city. The objective of Weed and Seed is to lower the crime rate in east Burlington and provide the residents of our neighborhoods with a better quality of life.
How is this going to work?
Weed and Seed can only work with your help. Communication between the community and the police must continue to increase. Involvement of the community in making our neighborhoods safer, healthier and more prosperous must increase. We must increase awareness of all the opportunities to improve our individual circumstances and that of our community. We must engage in action to help our community and ourselves by taking advantage of current opportunities and creating new ones.
What can you do?
Become aware of our community’s problems and the gaps in service to our residents.
* Violent crime and repeat offenders * Substance abuse * Domestic violence * Youth gangs
Join a community / neighborhood organization to help solve a problem and / or fill a gap in service.
* Community watch * After school program * GED or ESL classes * Small business
* Sport leagues * Project Safe Neighborhood * Job training and searches * Weed and Seed Committee
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More about the Weed and Seed Strategy
On the one hand, “Weeding” involves increased Law Enforcement and Community Policing; on the other hand, “Seeding” speaks to Prevention, Intervention and Treatment services as well as Neighborhood Restoration.
Currently, the Burlington Police Department has increased its patrol presence in the Weed and Seed designated area and will continue to seek community input and assistance on neighborhood problems solving.
The Department also has two weeding programs operating out of its substations in the Tucker Street and Beverly Hills neighborhoods. For at-risk or offending youth 16 to 21 who are seeking job training and employment, Building Futures (336-229-3192) at the Tucker Street Substation is the place to be. Come visit the Youth Center and make a positive change in your life. For parents of kids involved with drugs, a visit with Parents Who Care (336-513-5442) at our Beverly Hills Substation will bring you the understanding and support you need and deserve.
Program information including an Organizational Chart, Synopsis of Weed & Seed, and TimeLine can be view in this PowerPoint.
Weed and Seed Map
Resources
We realize Teenagers face a variety of challenges as they strive to find their way towards adulthood. This is a difficult challenge for both parents and our community to guide our children and keep them safe. We all have the same goal – seeing our children grow into successful adults.
Please use this page as a resource. We have provided several links that we hope will provide information, answer questions, and offer guidance when needed.
Tobacco
Mobilize Against Tobacco For Children’s Health
North Carolina Public Health
Alcohol
Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free
Young Adults Educating Responsible Drinking
Al-Anon/Alateen
MADD
Suspect Your Teen Is Drinking? – A Brief Guide to Action for Parents
Drugs & Inhalants
The Partnership for a Drug Free America
Freevibe – For Teens
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Parents The Anti Drug
Inhalant
Suspect Your Teen is Using Drugs? - A Brief Guide to Action for Parents
Wake Up To the Risks of Marijuana – A Guide for Parents
When It’s Not Your Kid – How do you deal with drug use & drinking?
Driving - Motor Vehicle Laws & Dangers
NC DMV
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
I Promise Program
Childhood Depression
National Mental Health Center
National Institute Of Mental Health
National Alliance for Mentally Ill
Teen Stress
Focus Adolescent Services
Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
HealthyPlace Eating Disorders Community
Eating Disorder Referral and Information
Eating Disorders Mirror Mirror
Body Positive
Real Women Project
Crime & Victimization / Domestic Violence
National Center for Victims of Crime
Sexual Abuse
Rape Abuse & Incest National Network
Prevent Abuse Now
National Exchange Club Foundation
Mothers Against Sex Abuse
Focus Adolescent Services
Internet Safety
FBI Guide
US Department of Justice
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
SafeKids
NetSmartz
Get Net Wize
Internet Safety Awareness
National Criminal Justice Reference Service
Protect Your Kids
Teen Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous
Responsible Gambling Council
Building Futures
There have been a number of developments in the last few months that have allowed us to move closer to the realization of the objectives of the Burlington Weed and Seed strategy.
We have partnered with Building Futures a job mentorship and placement program for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 21. They have moved their operation from the ESC to the Tucker St. Substation where they have more room and are within the community most in need of their services. One case manager, Tammy Wall (229-3192), will be operating fulltime from the substation. Currently she is serving 14 students, but the program has a current capacity to serve 35.
The Workforce Investment Act funds Building Futures and is one of several programs managed by the non-profit agency, Regional Consolidated Services, based in Asheboro, NC. Other Programs they manage include Head Start.
Eligibility requirements are the following:
- Age 16-21
- Low income
- And at least one of the following:
- Deficient in basic skills
- School Drop-Out
- Homeless, runaway, or foster child
- Pregnant or parenting youth
- Offender
- An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program or secure and hold employment
Participants will advance through a five stage level system with associated awards for each level. The program is year round and culminates with students obtaining 500 hours of subsidized job experience.
Participants benefit from the following curricula:
- Career exploration
- Setting Educational Goals
- Setting Personal Goals
- Maintaining a Journal
- Job Readiness Activities
- Job Getting Skills
- Job Keeping Skills
- Leadership Activities
- Job Shadowing
- Subsidized Work Experience
- Peer Group Activities
More information is available through:
Weed & Seed Steering Committee
- Jackie Abercrombie- Community Leader
- Carlton Black- Graham Housing Authority
- Bob Byrd- Alamance Regional Medical Center
- John Freeman- Community Leader
- Mike Gauldin- Burlington Police Department
- Robert Harkrader- Planning Department
- Rob Johnson- Alamance County District Attorney
- Tony Laws- Recreation and Parks
- Larry Leath- Community Leader
- Ernest Mangum- Burlington Housing Authority
- David Maynard- Burlington City Council
- John Maynard- Chamber of Commerce
- Harold Owen- City Manager
- Kerry Richmond- Positive Attitude Youth Center
- Marva Slade-Patrick- Alamance-Burlington School System
- Larry Vellani- Elon University
- Anna Mills Wagoner- United States Attorney
- Karen Webb- Mental Health
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