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ANNUAL REPORTS
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2007
Contact: Debra Descloux,
Director of Development
914/941-5252 ext. 14
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138 Spring Street
Ossining, New York 10562
(914) 941-5252
www.ifcany.org
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June A. Jarvis Named Interim Executive Director
of Interfaith Council for Action, Inc.
Ossining, New York – August 20, 2007 -- Interfaith Council For Action (IFCA) Board Chair Kimberlie Jacobs announced today that June Jarvis has been named interim Executive Director of the agency. Ms. Jarvis assumes this role with the departure of IFCA’s previous Executive Director, Gordon D. Albert, who has left to pursue other interests.
Ms. Jarvis joined IFCA in 1989 and from 1993 to 2003 she served as the organization’s CFO. After a year as Controller for Berger, Lehman Associates in Rye, New York, Ms. Jarvis retuned to her true calling in the not-for-profit sector as IFCA’s Deputy Director in 2004. “The Board of IFCA is very pleased to have Ms. Jarvis accept this position,” says Ms. Jacobs. “Her years of experience and industry knowledge will serve the agency well as the community development landscape continues to evolve.”
Ms. Jarvis holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Iona College, and spent six years as a staff accountant for IBM in Armonk, NY while earning an MBA in Financial Management at Pace University. In addition to being a Certified Credit Compliance Professional in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program Compliance,
Ms. Jarvis successfully completed Pace University’s Land Use Leadership Alliance Program. She also received her IRS Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Assistance (VITA) Certification. A lifelong resident of Westchester County, Ms. Jarvis lives in Ossining with her family.
Mr. Albert became Executive Director of IFCA in October of 2004. Prior to that appointment, he spent nine years as Director of the Neighborhood Preservation Program for Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW) in Port Chester, New York. Over the years he has been an active presence in Westchester County on housing and community issues. He is a former president of the Rye Town, Port Chester and Rye Brook Council of Community Services, and has served on the board of the Carver Center/Community Action Program.
Interfaith Council For Action, Inc. is a not-for-profit membership organization incorporated in 1968 under New York State Law. It is the oldest state-chartered Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) in Westchester County, and one of the first in the state. It is the only not-for-profit affordable housing agency in Ossining, owning 12 multifamily buildings in Ossining and one in Tarrytown. In addition, the organization manages affordable housing units in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. IFCA's mission is to “sustain community, diversity, and opportunity through affordable workforce housing and vital social services.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2007
Contact: Debra Descloux,
Director of Development
914/941-5252 ext. 14
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138 Spring Street
Ossining, New York 10562
(914) 941-5252
www.ifcany.org
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IFCA TEAM POSTS RECORD-SETTING TAX SEASON:
NEARLY $300,000 RETURNED TO LOCAL RESIDENTS
THROUGH IRS VITA PROGRAM
Ossining, New York – June 18, 2007 -- Interfaith Council For Action (IFCA) executive director Gordon Albert announced today that IFCA has achieved record-setting results through its participation in the IRS’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. IFCA is a not-for-profit, affordable housing agency, which also provides support services to the community. For the 2006 tax season, the IFCA team prepared Federal and local tax returns for 200 low-income families at no charge. These families received refunds totaling over $230,000 from Federal income taxes and earned income tax credits. New York State refunds added up to $59,000.
The VITA Program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, operates out of several sites located around Westchester County. The program is run primarily by volunteers who, after completing IRS training, prepare Federal and New York State tax returns at no charge for low-income individuals, families and seniors from January to April. This year, the IFCA site, which is staffed by one IFCA employee and five local volunteers, produced the greatest results with the smallest tax team, compared to all other County locations.
“Without our VITA Program, many of our clients would pay an average $200 for tax preparation services,” says Mr. Albert. “In addition, these low-income workers often sign up for refund anticipation loans to get their tax refund on the spot. For this they are charged a very high interest rate.” VITA clients pay no fees, no e-file charges, and they get their direct deposit refund in about 10 days.
“At first, some community members were hesitant about participating,” notes Valerie Canosa, IFCA’s Director of Program and Services and lead tax preparer at the IFCA site for the past three years. “Many believed they would owe the government even more money. The reality is that the overwhelming majority of those who seek our help are due refunds.” The average refund at the IFCA site was over $1,500 per family.
“IFCA’s success is bittersweet,” notes Board Chair Kimberlie Jacobs. “VITA has put a significant financial burden on the agency since IFCA receives absolutely no government funding for the program. We estimate that VITA costs nearly $20,000 a year to administer, an amount that IFCA can no longer fund without help.” The IFCA program’s sole business sponsor is Robison Oil, whose president, David Singer, recently pledged $2,500 toward the 2007 tax season. “I hope that other area businesses will join me in supporting this worthwhile cause.”
Interfaith Council For Action, Inc. is a not-for-profit membership organization incorporated in 1968 under New York State Law. It is the oldest state-chartered Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) in Westchester County, and one of the first in the state. It is the only not-for-profit affordable housing agency in Ossining. IFCA's mission s tatement is to “sustain community, diversity, and opportunity through affordable workforce housing and vital social services.”
As defined by New York State, IFCA's target area in Ossining stretches from Snowden Avenue on the north to Liberty Street on the south, and from the Hudson River on the west to Route 9 on the east; it includes the old Main Street business district and its crescent of vintage buildings. IFCA owns 12 multifamily buildings in Ossining and one in Tarrytown. In addition, the organization manages affordable housing units in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2006
Contact: Gordon Albert; 914/941-5252
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138 Spring Street
Ossining, New York 10562
(914) 941-5252
www.ifcany.org
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IFCA Increases Affordable Housing Inventory
Three new affordable/workforce housing units were officially welcomed in the Village of Ossining with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 Broad Ave. on Thursday, May 25 at 6 pm. Soon-to-be Village of Ossining Mayor, Trustee Miguel Hernandez cut the red ribbon to the cheers of many local officials, partners, advocates, and residents.
Through diligent efforts by IFCA Board members and staff, the three-family house was purchased by IFCA in February 2006 with renovations now completed on two of the three apartments. Two families are expected to move in by end of June. The third apartment will be made ready by summer’s end and other improvements will include new siding, roof, porch, rear stairs, sewer attachments, lighting, and fencing and security elements.
“This is a true milestone for IFCA in that it is the first time in seven years that IFCA has purchased a new property,” said Reginald D. Bush, Chairman of the Board who was key to the successful acquisition of this property. This brings IFCA total housing units owned to 91 with plans to add many more as opportunities arise, explained Bush.
IFCA Operations Manager Robert Giordano and his staff of two were also honored for their dedication to preservation of the historical home. “Their workmanship is incredible,” said Bush.
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Soon-to-be Village of Ossining Mayor Miguel Hernandez readies to cut the ribbon at the opening of a new three-family home owned and maintained by IFCA at 8 Broad Avenue. Joining him on the front porch are (from left to right) Mark J. Seiden, IFCA partner and sponsor, Deborah DeLong, Housing Director, Westchester County Department of Planning, Bill Cowan, affordable housing advocate, and Kimberlie Jacobs, IFCA Board Member, Executive Committee.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2005
Contact: Gordon Albert; 914/941-5252
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138 Spring Street
Ossining, New York 10562
(914) 941-5252
www.ifcany.org
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Mosaic Unveiled
The final group artwork created by 19 Ossining children who participated in a mosaic workshop was unveiled last week at IFCA headquarters at 138 Spring Street. The children worked eagerly with Yonkers artist Haifa Bint-Kadi, community volunteers Patti Bassak, Ann Palm and Aracelly Martinez, and Fordham social work interns Jennifer Pelletier and Sam Beavers during eight Wednesday afternoon classes held September 14 to November 9.
Participants learned about the history of mosaic as an art form, artist tools and materials, and completed individual tile, glue and grout projects. As a group they designed the IFCA mosaic, which depicts IFCA’s unifying effect on the community and tenants in its more than 100 units of affordable/workforce housing.
Organized by Valerie Canosa, IFCA’s Director of Programs and Services, the program was funded by a grant from the Westchester Arts Council Arts Partners Program and the Westchester County Department of Social Services. The Arts Partners Program joins community based organizations with local artists with a goal of providing access to the arts to underserved communities.
IFCA is the oldest neighborhood preservation organization in Westchester County incorporated in 1968 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. IFCA has been active in the ownership, rehabilitation and management of low and moderate income housing since 1972. IFCA is an organization that has invested in the revitalization and growth of Ossining and its surrounding communities.
Children who participated in creating the IFCA mosaic unveil their masterpiece with artist Haifa Bint-Kada. The artwork hangs in the IFCA offices.
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