Her superpower? Free tax prep that saves families money

As the daughter of an accountant, Gena Cadieux always had a knack for numbers. “I was born the same year as Barbie, who famously said, ‘Math class is hard,’” Gena says with a laugh. “I never

did understand that. I’m better at numbers than the soft stuff.” Call it natural talent or learned behavior, but it made her a perfect fit for Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free

volunteer-run tax assistance program. “Not everyone has a way to give back, and this seemed like something I could do _and_ be good at,” she says. As it turned out, Tax-Aide also provided a

fulfilling path into her retirement years. “You really need to have things to do so you don’t just walk into the void when you retire,” says Gena, who retired from her federal government job

in 2017. “We keep using newer and newer technology, so even though I’m not using a computer for work anymore, I’m still learning and growing. That’s one of the things that Tax-Aide has

helped me with personally.” For many of her clients at the Jim Scott Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia, their tax refund represents an essential part of their yearly income. Gena has

witnessed firsthand how much these refunds matter. “We see folks that are counting on getting bucks back in order to pay their bills,” she explains. “In general, people get more in refunds

than they owe, and sometimes a lot more.” Some clients rely on specific tax credits that can significantly boost their finances during difficult times. “When someone gets an earned income

tax credit because their income dropped after they lost their job, you can just see the relief on their face.” Apart from helping with immediate financial needs, Tax-Aide volunteers educate

clients about managing their taxes year-round — something that’s especially important for retirees who face new tax challenges. “A lot of people don’t realize that when you’re retired, you

can’t just wait until April 15th and then pay the taxes for the whole previous year, because if you do, you might get an underpayment penalty,” Gena explains. “So not only are we doing

people’s taxes, but we’re helping them understand how to prepare for the following year.” What brings Gena the most joy and keeps her coming back is the personal relationships she’s formed

over two decades of service. She recalls one couple who first came in when they were “single and dating, and then they came in when they were married.” Connections like these make the work

deeply rewarding. “As a volunteer you understand what’s expected and you feel very appreciated, both by your fellow volunteers and by the clients,” Gena says. “It’s a very satisfying

experience.” Learn more about AARP FOUNDATION TAX-AIDE and HOW TO BECOME A TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEER. _READ MORE STORIES about how our programs have helped people find hope, and about the

volunteers who give so much of themselves to help others._