ABOUT US
The Omaha EITC Coalition is a program of Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. which seeks to improve housing opportunities for all people through education, counseling and advocacy, advancing the prosperity of the community one household at a time. The Omaha EITC Coalition advances financial empowerment, asset development and community prosperity for low to moderate income families through quality volunteer tax return preparation, community partnerships, and strategies to improve savings. Our members are credit unions and banks, community and civic organizations, federal, state and local agencies, universities and other professional associations and coalitions dedicated to reducing poverty by increasing financial literacy and creating access to quality financial institutions and products.
Our Staff
Ed Leahy
Director
Ed Leahy is the Director of the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 5 free tax preparation sites in the metro area. He is certified in International Tax Law through the IRS. The VITA program also helps individuals and families obtain and maintain bank accounts with 11 local institutions, provide credit advising for low-income families, and other asset-development opportunities through the Coalition’s 70 partners.
Previously, he was the coordinator of the Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa-Nebraska from 2001-2006. Leahy brings over 15 years experience of working with immigrant communities to his work. First, as a Catholic religious and priest for 13 years, Leahy worked in Central America and immigrant communities in St. Louis, Chicago and Minneapolis. After leaving the ministry, Leahy worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a child welfare specialist in the Latino Affairs Division. Leahy has an MA-M.Div from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has extensive experience as a trainer and public speaker.
Director
Ed Leahy is the Director of the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 5 free tax preparation sites in the metro area. He is certified in International Tax Law through the IRS. The VITA program also helps individuals and families obtain and maintain bank accounts with 11 local institutions, provide credit advising for low-income families, and other asset-development opportunities through the Coalition’s 70 partners.
Previously, he was the coordinator of the Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa-Nebraska from 2001-2006. Leahy brings over 15 years experience of working with immigrant communities to his work. First, as a Catholic religious and priest for 13 years, Leahy worked in Central America and immigrant communities in St. Louis, Chicago and Minneapolis. After leaving the ministry, Leahy worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a child welfare specialist in the Latino Affairs Division. Leahy has an MA-M.Div from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has extensive experience as a trainer and public speaker.
Ginny Powell
Co-Director
Ginny Powell is the Co-Director of the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at free tax preparation sites in the metro area. She was a volunteer with the Coalition as a committee member and tax preparer prior to joining the team as a staff member. Powell, an Accredited Financial Counselor, is experienced in assisting individuals with tax preparation and is certified in Advanced Tax Law through the IRS. She coordinates volunteer training, grant writing, and volunteer management along with community outreach and taxpayer education.
Powell comes to the coalition from Goodwill Industries, Inc. She started as an employment specialist in the Employment First program, where she provided case management to families receiving aid while looking for work. She was promoted to a coordinator position and eventually progressed to managing employment and training programs. As a manager, she has been responsible for staff training and development, budget oversight, negotiating and writing contracts, grant management, and developing relationships with stakeholders. She has over 20 years experience working in the human services field, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and has participated in management and leadership development courses.
Co-Director
Ginny Powell is the Co-Director of the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at free tax preparation sites in the metro area. She was a volunteer with the Coalition as a committee member and tax preparer prior to joining the team as a staff member. Powell, an Accredited Financial Counselor, is experienced in assisting individuals with tax preparation and is certified in Advanced Tax Law through the IRS. She coordinates volunteer training, grant writing, and volunteer management along with community outreach and taxpayer education.
Powell comes to the coalition from Goodwill Industries, Inc. She started as an employment specialist in the Employment First program, where she provided case management to families receiving aid while looking for work. She was promoted to a coordinator position and eventually progressed to managing employment and training programs. As a manager, she has been responsible for staff training and development, budget oversight, negotiating and writing contracts, grant management, and developing relationships with stakeholders. She has over 20 years experience working in the human services field, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and has participated in management and leadership development courses.
Jordan Gibbs
Administrative Assistant
Jordan Gibbs is the Administrative Assistant at the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at free tax preparation sites in the metro area. She comes to the Coalition with a degree in Social Work, minor in criminal justice, and a history of customer service. Jordan is skillful in community outreach, advocacy, and policy. She is a Nebraska native who is ready to help the community, utilizing her skills and love for serving others. The Omaha EITC Coalition is a program of Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. which seeks to improve housing opportunities for all people through education, counseling and advocacy, advancing the prosperity of the community one household at a time.
Administrative Assistant
Jordan Gibbs is the Administrative Assistant at the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition, which operates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at free tax preparation sites in the metro area. She comes to the Coalition with a degree in Social Work, minor in criminal justice, and a history of customer service. Jordan is skillful in community outreach, advocacy, and policy. She is a Nebraska native who is ready to help the community, utilizing her skills and love for serving others. The Omaha EITC Coalition is a program of Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. which seeks to improve housing opportunities for all people through education, counseling and advocacy, advancing the prosperity of the community one household at a time.
