The United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula is proud to celebrate a successful tax season through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, made possible through a strong partnership with the Lake Superior State University Lukenda School of Business.
Together, this collaborative effort resulted in the completion of 48 free tax returns for residents, helping individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned income while reducing financial stress.
Five dedicated LSSU business students participated in the program, gaining valuable real-world experience while serving their community. ““I’m proud of our students for their outstanding work. They gained valuable real-world experience while making a meaningful impact in the community.” shared Mindy McCready, Interim Dean of the College of Business, Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.
Executive Director Kaylynn Cairns highlighted the importance of the partnership: “We are so excited to partner with LSSU Business students again this year and provide this service in the community. We could not provide these services without the support of LSSU. We hope next year we can continue to provide this and make sure our community members can keep more of their tax returns and better support their needs.”
Community feedback reflects the program’s impact. One resident shared, “Thank you and your students for your help in getting my taxes done. You guys did a great job. Thanks again.” Another added, “Thank you so much for filing my taxes. I was so worried about getting this done, and it was so easy to schedule and work with students.”
This partnership represents the power of collective impact: bringing together education, volunteerism, and community resources to meet real needs. Through programs like VITA, United Way of the EUP continues to build stronger systems that support financial stability across the region.
As the program looks ahead to next year, both organizations remain committed to expanding access, supporting students, and ensuring community members have the tools and resources they need to thrive.