Created in 2005, the Boston Tax Help Coalition’s Ambassador Program does outreach to immigrant communities who can qualify for free tax preparation and financial services. We have eight Ambassadors who act as community leaders for the Coalition. Each ambassador is fluent in English and one of seven languages: Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Chinese. 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 – Spanish Ambassador
My name is Ada Pantoja and I am the Spanish Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I am 36 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 in the South Boston area, and will assist as a greeter and Financial Guide; specifically 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.
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 2017 tax season, I have done 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 Dothouse Health on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The part that I like 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.
Katherine Palencia – Spanish Ambassador
My name is Katherine Palencia and I am one of the Latino Ambassadors for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. For the 2017 tax season, I’ll be assisting with translation, intake, and doing most of my outreach around East Boston, Cambridge, and at Boston Public Library branches. The part that I’ll enjoy the most about being an Ambassador is hearing what Boston taxpayers will be doing with their tax return. Thank you to the City of Boston and their partners.
Maria Lourdes Silva – Portuguese Ambassador
My name is Maria Lourdes Silva and I am the Brazilian Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. For the 2017 tax season, I have done most of my outreach handing out flyers around the Allston / Brighton area and at the Boston Public Schools. I assist with tax preparation and Financial Check-Ups. The part that I like most about being an Ambassador is hearing what taxpayers are going to do with their tax return. 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.
Nhi Le – Vietnamese Ambassador
I am Nhi Le, the Vietnamese Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC). For the 2017 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 is in Dorchester and to deliver information and materials about BTHC’s free tax services at community 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!
Rand Chaqmaqchee – Arabic Ambassador
My name is Rand Chaqmaqchee and I am the Arabic Ambassador for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. I am currently Case Manager at Refugee & Immigrant Assistant Center Boston, Cultural Broker for mental health at Family continuity Peabody MA. For the 2017 tax season, 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 translations, intake and Financial Checkup. The part that I like most about being an Ambassador is making the family happy with their hard work and help taxpayers saving their money with free tax preparation. I am passionate about helping low income family and happy that taxpayers can keep the money that they would have spent to get their taxes prepared, in their own pocket.
Sabine Desgranges – Haitian Creole Ambassador
My name is Sabine Desgranges. I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; I live in Boston, MA and I am currently working at Boston Medical Center. I have 2 beautiful children; Sariana 7 years old and Tyler 3 years old. I did most of my studies in Haiti. I studied Accounting & Finances at Quisqueya University, and Information Technology at Ecole Superieure d’Infotronique (ESIH) in Haiti. I went to Framingham College to be a Nutritionist. Then I went to Roxbury Community College for Medical Interpreter; Boston Career Institute for Dental Assistant and also K&G Home Health Care for Home Health Aide.
Life to me has special meaning when you are surrounded by trustful and caring friends and family. I love helping people out, especially those in need. I am well known, and I have been very active in the Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park area with the Haitian Community. I know there is a lot of immigrants who are afraid of getting the help they need because of lack of information or misinformation about the help they can get. I will use my knowledge and my ability to inform you or provide you with all the services that you can get!
Shanshan Ou – Chinese Ambassador
My name is Shanshan Ou and I am the Chinese Ambassadors for the Boston Tax Help Coalition. For the 2017 tax season, I have done most of my outreach giving presentations to the Chinese community and handing out flyers around Chinatown area. I assist with Financial Check-ups at the JVS tax site on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and I also volunteer at BCNC in Chinatown. I enjoy being an Ambassador and I love to help taxpayers with their tax returns. The best part is that I get to help taxpayers understand their credit report.