Tax Filing at Altadena Library

When fires tore through the Los Angeles foothills earlier this year, no one thought “I better grab my W2.” Many Altadena residents lost their homes, documents and sense of stability. Golden State Opportunity (GSO) stepped in to help survivors rebuild financially by connecting them with free tax assistance ahead of the extended October 15 filing deadline and help accessing or replacing documents they lost in the disaster. 

“With the impact of the fires, I knew I had to reach people directly,” said GSO Organizing Manager Andy Rodriguez. “I printed 300 flyers and walked door to door, passing them out to residents. People were so grateful. We also used text outreach to make sure everyone knew help was available.”

The Altadena Library District, with the hard work of Adult Services Manager Edit Vosganians, became a cornerstone partner. 

“After the fire, people turned to the library for trustworthy information,” Vosganians said. “We’re one of the few community buildings still standing, so being a safe, accessible place for an event like this was vital. We promoted it through our newsletters and community channels to reach as many residents as possible.”

The collaboration produced powerful results. Across Altadena library events, 147 tax returns were filed, resulting in $87,234 in total federal and state refunds, including $29,823 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds and $9,005 in CalEITC refunds. 

“At GSO, we are committed to supporting people no matter what,” said GSO President Amy Everitt. “In moments of crisis, showing up for our neighbors is what truly matters. Our outreach and assistance after the fires reflected that commitment — compassion in action, grounded in community and care.”

GSO partner LAVITA Community Financial Organization provided the tax filing services and answered any questions residents might have had about taxes, income and dealing with insurance and losses after the fire. 

Aragas Mandani, Director of LAVITA, noted that trust was essential. “Many clients were senior citizens who had lost important documents and didn’t know where to turn,” he said. “The library gave them that trust. It was a safe space where they could ask questions and get real help.”

For some, the support was transformative. Rodriguez recalled one resident named Austin who lost his W-2 forms in the fire. 

“We helped him access everything online right there. That’s why this work matters,” he said. Another success story came from Bertha Downs, a longtime library patron who attended multiple sessions to fix an issue with her return. “When we finally resolved it, she was so relieved,” Rodriguez said. “That peace of mind is everything.”

Beyond the numbers, the outreach represented connection, compassion, and community resilience. “Success isn’t just about how many people we served,” Mandani said. “It’s about how people felt — whether they felt supported and seen.”

As the Altadena Library prepares for renovations next year, Vosganians and her team plan to continue offering tax-related programs through the Loma Alta and Bob Lucas Memorial branches. LAVITA also plans to return with bilingual tax workshops and expanded outreach in early 2026.

“Financial recovery is part of community recovery,” Vosganians reflected. “When we work together — organizations, public institutions, and neighbors — we help people rebuild not just their finances, but their hope.”