Created in 2005, the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s Ambassador Program does outreach to immigrant and people with disability communities who can qualify for free tax preparation and financial services. We have nine Ambassadors who act as community leaders for the Coalition. Each ambassador is fluent in English and one of eight languages: Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese. The Ambassadors receive training in basic personal finances, tax preparation, and community organizing. They assist in translating the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s marketing materials and help directly at the tax sites.
Ada Pantoja
Latino Ambassador
My name is Ada Pantoja and I am the Spanish Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I am 38 years old and a mother of two beautiful girls. I was born in Boston. I am still going to school and working part-time. I will be doing most of my outreach at South Boston area and I will assist as a greeter and with Financial Check-Up program helping out the Latino community with translations to Spanish. I will also assist the Latino community in Dorchester letting the community know about our great programs. What I like the most about my job is that I can share with my community about all the free services that the Coalition provides.
Barbara Cunha
Portuguese Ambassador
My name is Barbara Cunha, I’m a senior at the College of Management at UMass Boston with a concentration in Accounting and Finance. 2019 will be my first year as a Portuguese Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I will be assisting with Financial Check-Up, Tax-preparation, translation, and I will be doing my outreach in the Boston area. I am beyond happy to be part of this team and support the mission of BTHC.
Chanely Yu-Cheung
Latino Ambassador
My name is Chanely Yu and I am the Spanish Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I am 23 years old and I am from Venezuela. I am currently a senior at University of Massachusetts studying Management with a concentration in Marketing and working part-time. Most of my outreach is in Charlestown, East Boston, and the North End. In addition, I will be assisting with translations in Spanish and Financial Check-Ups in tax sites located at Charlestown, Roxbury, and Codman Square. The part that I like the most about being an Ambassador is being able to spread the word about the free services that the BTHC offers, especially for those whom English is not their first language.
Hala Binshayhon
Arabic Ambassador
My name is Hala Binshayhon, I am the Arabic Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I’m currently a mental health counselor at Refugee & Immigrant Assistant Center Boston. I love helping people out, especially those in need. I will be doing most of my outreach handing out flyers around the Boston area, Middle Eastern restaurants and at the Boston Public library. I will assist with tax preparation, Financial Check-Ups and translation. What I like the most about being an Ambassador is that I can share with my community about all the free services that the Coalition provides.
James Liao
Chinese Ambassador
My name is Zhuowen (James) Liao and I am the Chinese Ambassadors for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. For the 2019 tax season, I have done most of my outreach handing out flyers around the Chinese community, such as Chinatown, Quincy and Malden area. I will assist with translations, intake and Financial Check-Up on Tuesdays at Codman Square and Thursdays at Dothouse Health, and I also volunteer at BCNC, in Chinatown, on Saturdays. The part that I enjoy the most being an Ambassador is hearing what Boston taxpayers will be doing with their tax refund. It makes me happy knowing that I helped a family saving their money with free tax preparation. I am passionate about helping newly immigrants’ family with their financial situation by getting a professional advice, free credit report and resources about different organization.
Joaquin Teixeira
Cape Verdean Creole Ambassador
My name is Joaquin Teixeira and I am the Cape Verdean Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. For the 2019 tax season, I will be doing most of my outreach handing out flyers around the Dorchester and Roxbury areas and at small Cape Verdean businesses in Boston. I prepare taxes and translate for Cape Verdeans at the Dothouse Health on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The part that I like the most about being an Ambassador is hearing taxpayers talk about how the Government is giving them more help with tax preparation. It makes me happy knowing that the taxpayers are able to keep the money that they would have spent to get their taxes done by a paid preparer. They are happy that they are being helped with their financial problems by getting a free credit report.
Jocely Pierre-Louis
Haitian Creole Ambassador
My name is Jocely Pierre-Louis, I am 19 years old and I am a Haitian Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I am a freshman in college. I was born in Haiti and raised in Somerville. I love helping my Haitian community as much as possible.
Maya Getter
American Sign Language and Disability Ambassador
My name is Maya Getter, and I am the American Sign Language and Disability Ambassador. I grew up in Jamaica Plain and have always called Boston home. I went away for college at the University of Southern California but transferred to Northeastern University to finish my degree. At Northeastern, I started studying political science and quickly fell in love with electoral politics. Most recently, I worked on Senator Elizabeth Warren’s 2018 re-election campaign. Since the end of campaign season, I’ve been working with the City of Boston’s Tax Help Coalition which provides free tax services to low and moderate income earners across the city. I absolutely love languages and am so excited to make sure these tax services are accessible to all!
Nhi Le
Vietnamese Ambassador
I am Nhi Le, the Vietnamese Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC). For the 2019 tax season, I look forward to working with the team to raise awareness about BTHC’s services and programs to the Boston’s communities. My focus for the outreach in Dorchester is to deliver information and materials on BTHC’s free tax services at community’s events and class sessions held at the St. Marks School. During the tax season, I will be around the neighborhood to provide translation assistance at local tax sites. I hope to meet you! And share the tools and knowledge on tax credits that could benefit you.