Justine Reed started preparing taxes in 2016 during her college days at Armstrong State University, “I had never done taxes before, so I wasn’t sure, but I ended up going to a training. Everyone welcomed me in... kinda like how it is at Community Link. Everyone was very helpful and I learned how to do taxes. I became a basic tax preparer and it was easy because they were very flexible with my school schedule because, you know, that’s hard to do and hard to find!

“I did taxes up there until I graduated. 2017 was my last time preparing.. I was in a transitional period. I think that I had decided to move to Charlotte and couldn’t make a commitment to another year. I started to realize that I really like helping people. I didn’t see myself as a selfish person but I didn’t realize that I was the kind of person that liked to help people.

“So, I moved to Charlotte at the end of 2017.. I was in Savannah for Christmas and I saw my friend who got me into the Free Tax Prep program down there. I told her that I would love to get back into that.. and she got me connected to the Free Tax Prep site in Charlotte. I reached out to Community Link. I knew NO ONE in Charlotte… I was so ready to get out and meet people.

I got a full time job. I work in finance but not in human services or nonprofit work. This is the only time, during Free Tax Prep CLT, that I feel fulfilled with what I want to do. I’m so energized by the volunteer work. I’m having so much fun.”

Justine has been working with the Community Link Free Tax Prep CLT program since 2018. She is now one of our Site Coordinators and she is an absolute joy to be around. We love our volunteers and deeply appreciate the impact that Justine has made over the years!