Tax season is becoming less burdensome for local residents thanks to support from Slippery Rock University students who are gaining valuable real-world experience by providing tax preparation services. Diana Ouro-Koura is one of those volunteers.
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, commonly known as VITA, Ouro-Koura helps prepare free tax returns for individuals and households earning less than $60,000 per year. The program, run by the Butler County Center for Community Resources, provides tax preparation services to county residents who may not otherwise be able to afford them.
Ouro-Koura, a senior accounting major who was born in the African country of Togo and raised in Rwanda, became involved with VITA through an internship opportunity offered to students in classes at SRU.
“Being able to give back to your own community is attractive,” Ouro-Koura said. “I like to give back to the people around me. Some people can’t afford to file their own taxes because of how expensive it can be.”
One of the key benefits of the VITA program is the quality assurance built into the process. According to Ouro-Koura, each tax return prepared through the program is reviewed by multiple volunteers, helping ensure accuracy for the individuals being served.
“As a volunteer, you never have to worry about making a mistake when filing because someone else is going to go over your work,” Ouro-Koura said. “We use our best judgment, but the stress is alleviated for all parties because everything is double-checked.”
Beyond providing an important service to the community, the internship has also become a valuable learning opportunity for Ouro-Koura as she prepares for her future career.
“For me, it’s not about everything being perfect,” she said. “It’s about being willing to learn and being able to show up for yourself. VITA will help me grow responsibly, professionally and with confidence.”
Ouro-Koura said the experience has also strengthened her long-term goals, as she hopes to attend law school and eventually earn her CPA license. The skills she has developed through VITA will help prepare her for that path. More than anything, however, the experience has reinforced the value of service and community connection.
“I find a lot of joy in being able to serve others in this role,” Ouro-Koura said. “I feel as if it completes who I am as a person. Even though I have a long road ahead of myself, I have learned so much so far, and I cannot wait to see where this program goes.”
As tax season continues, programs like VITA show how student involvement can make a real difference, both for the community members receiving assistance and for the students gaining experience along the way.
More information about the VITA program can be found online. Butler County residents can schedule an appointment by calling 211 and selection option 1 or visit pa211.org/vita.
