A Tax Question, an Open Door, and a Community That Knows Where to Turn: El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center

Sometimes, getting help starts with a simple question: “Do you know where I can get my taxes done?”

At El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center, that question comes up often. And because families across San Bernardino County already know and trust El Sol, staff can do more than point them in the right direction—they can connect them directly to help.

Through its partnership with Golden State Opportunity (GSO) as a grantee of our Community Connect Program, El Sol is helping families access free tax preparation, claim valuable tax credits, and find refunds they may not have known were waiting for them.

During the most recent tax season, El Sol helped complete 232 free tax returns, at various sites including their pop up in the Mexican Consulate of San Bernardino.

“People in the immigrant community are constantly asking us, ‘Where can I get help with my taxes?’ or ‘How do I get an ITIN?’” said Adriana Badillo, Community Health Worker II and Financial Center Coordinator at El Sol. “So when GSO came to us with a way to provide free tax help, it was an easy yes. We knew our community needed it—and we knew people would trust us to connect them with the right support.”

Trust Makes the Difference

For more than 30 years, El Sol has been a place where Inland Empire families can turn for answers. Its work centers on communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and other essential resources.

Today, the organization reaches more than 50,000 residents each year, connecting people with health, education, financial, and community resources through trusted community health workers and promotores.

El Sol trains and supports community health workers and promotores—trusted people who understand the communities they serve—to connect families with resources, build leadership, address systemic barriers, and advocate for change.

That trust is especially important when it comes to taxes.

For many families, filing can feel complicated or intimidating. “Many people don’t realize they can still file past returns,” Badillo said. “When they find out they can claim refunds they didn’t know they were owed, it’s a huge relief.”

Mobile Tax Help and Expanded Partnerships

This summer, the partnership went mobile. GSO brought its Mobile Tax Filing Clinic to the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino, where El Sol already operates its financial assistance center.

It was a natural fit: El Sol knows the community, the Consulate sees nearly 200 visitors a day, and GSO could bring tax preparation directly to the people walking through the doors.

The idea came together after El Sol staff connected with Jose Quezada, GSO’s Southern California Organizer. “I first mentioned the bus tour to members of El Sol while they were tabling at one of our Tacos & Taxes events, and they immediately embraced the idea,” Quezada said.

El Sol helped coordinate with the Consulate, secure permits, spread the word, and make sure visitors knew free tax preparation was available. “What made this bus stop especially successful was the trust El Sol has built within the community,” Quezada said. “Their broad range of services throughout San Bernardino County and their strong local presence made them an excellent partner.”

More Than Filing Taxes

For Badillo, that’s the heart of the partnership.

“I love bringing organizations together to better serve our community,” she said. “When we work together, we can open more doors for families and connect them with resources they may not have found on their own. People already know us. They know we’re here to help, so they’re comfortable asking questions and coming back year after year.”

And sometimes, that’s all it takes to make a difference: a trusted place to ask a question, a partner ready with an answer, and a door that’s already open.