Rangel joins Harlem Children's Zone students in promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit and other financial resources for children and families.

Students of the Harlem Children’s Zone and the office of Congressman Rangel will host a youth financial summit on March 28 from 2 -6 p.m. at the Harlem Children Zone(35 E. 125th Street) to educate youth on the important financial resources and benefits for themselves and their families, including the benefits of the earned income tax credit.

The HCZ Youth Giving Back Financial Summit, entitled "Before We Make Dollars, We Have To Make Sense," is a product of the Harlem 100: 100 Days of Peace and Purpose Project, an HCZ community service initiative that encourages students to purposefully serve others in the first 100 days of the Obama Administration. At least 150 students are expected to attend, representing various youth organizations located in Northern Manhattan.

With so many people struggling economically, its more important than ever for taxpayers to take full advantage of all the credits that their hard work has earned. According to the IRS, nearly 20,000 individuals and families in Upper Manhattan last year failed to file the EITC, losing out on approximately $2,000 per return.

HCZ has tried to do its part by being part of the network of communty-based programs that are helping to provide free tax prep assistance. Last year, they helped serve thousands, helping Harlem residents get over $6 million back in refunds.

"Thousands of hard-working individuals miss out on receiving thousands of dollars because they don't file their taxes or take advantage of the EITC," said Congressman Rangel. "What these students are doing is helping to not only financially educate their classmates, but also help families buy food, pay bills and get through this economic crisis."

Congressman Rangel and several other speakers will address students before they break out into workshops that feature information on financial aid for college, debt management and what they can tell their parents about the EITC. Also on hand will be members of the Uptown Dance Academy and future Urban Word poet Ashley Sutherland to rally the community on the need for better financial literacy and empowerment.

Students will follow up their summit with an EITC outreach day on Saturday, April 4. when they will hit the streets to hand out information about the EITC and where taxpayers can get free tax preparation help in the neighborhood.

For more information on the event or the HCZ's 100 Days of Peace & Purpose, call the HCZ at 212-210-6200.

About the Harlem Children's Zone, 100 Days of Peace and Purpose Project
The Harlem Children’s Zone is a holistic system of education, social service and community-building programs aimed at helping the children and families in a 97-block area of the 15th district.  Students will follow up their summit with an EITC outreach day on Saturday, April 4. when they will hit the streets to hand out information about the EITC and where taxpayers can get free tax preparation help in the neighborhood.

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