Sigma Beta Xi

 

To Ernest Rhone, helping the families of the Inland Empire area of California connect with the resources they need to thrive has been his mission since he was a high school teacher.

Rhone, now retired, founded Sigma Beta Xi (SBX) as a high school teacher in Rialto High School in 1997 with the goal “to develop young people, serve families in the Inland Empire, and break the cycle of poverty and violence.”

Since its founding in 1997, the Community Connect grantee has mentored over 1,000 students, served 21 schools and grown to over 500 members. One of their newer offerings grew from their work with GSO. After years of sharing information about free tax preparation and tax credits, they are taking the next steps: working to secure their IRS designation as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site.

If you live in California and make $64,000 or less, have disabilities, speak limited English or are active duty or retired military personnel or a dependent you can sign up for free tax preparation services at a VITA location.

SBX knows there’s a lack of IRS-certified tax preparation sites in Riverside County. And they’re intentionally stepping up and working to support working families with free tax preparation. In fact, a current search of the Franchise Tax Board site locator shows just three VITA-certified free tax prep sites in Riverside County.

Berenice Zuniga, current Co-CEO of SBX, and high school SBX alum was surprised how few IRS-certified free tax filing sites were available in her area.

“Being able to have access to free tax prep and get tax credits can impact a family forever,” she said. “This partnership with GSO has helped us to bring so much to Moreno Valley. These areas are underserved and marginalized and this partnership has really enabled us to educate ourselves and our community. It’s always our intention to find out where the gaps are in resources and seek out opportunities to fill those.”

And for Mr. Rhone, his entire life has been devoted to one thing: empowering young people to control their lives and make a difference.

“My passion has always been the idea that somebody has to do this,” he said. If we walk away, we’ll never be satisfied. That’s why it’s so important. Because we chose to do this.”

Learn more about SBX and the work they do.