After many years of service to Mercer County, Tarry Truitt retired from United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC). Tarry started with Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness in January 2005. As part of the ten-year plan to end homelessness, Tarry conducted research to seek strategies to keep individuals and families in their homes. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) stood out as an important tool to alleviate this issue. There were several groups offering free tax assistance in Mercer County, but the effort was not coordinated. The IRS asked Tarry to bring the existing tax sites together to coordinate efforts. Thus, a county-wide strategy was started by the City of Trenton staff and the first EITC coalition. Key community partners and banks eventually joined forces under the Mercer CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign. The program was first managed by the Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness. Tarry led the EITC outreach, marketing and volunteer training for the tax sites in Mercer County.
Six years ago, UWGMC took over managing VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) otherwise known as the Free Tax Program, and Tarry joined our team. Under United Way, the goal of the program remains the same. We promote EITC, other tax credits, and access to resources like healthcare. Access to these resources creates a pathway to financial security for struggling families in our community.
Tarry is leaving a legacy of closely working with hundreds of volunteers and various community partners. During her time managing the program struggling families and individuals have received a total of $23,489,623 in tax refunds. She also developed the Benefit Access Program here at United Way. To date, the program has helped over 600 households receive over $1 million in federal benefits. We thank Tarry for her dedication and commitment to assisting individuals and families in Mercer County and wish her luck in her future endeavors.
