Removing Barriers to Financial Support Through Community‑Based Clinics

Free Tax Preparation Clinics – St. Lawrence College Innovation Hub

Role: Dan Hendry

Year: During tenure, 2015–2020

Empowerment often starts with removing barriers to basic services. During my time as Manager of the Innovation Hub at St. Lawrence College, I supported the delivery of Free Tax Preparation Clinics a community‑focused initiative designed to help students and local residents with modest incomes access professional tax support at no cost.

The clinics were hosted through the Innovation Hub, and my role focused on integrating this service into the college’s broader ecosystem of community‑based learning and social innovation. By using the Hub as a welcoming and accessible space, we were able to position the college as a practical resource for financial literacy and community support.

A key part of my work involved coordination and organization. I supported the use of the Innovation Hub space to host the clinics, ensuring the environment functioned smoothly for both volunteers and community members. I also contributed to communications and outreach efforts, helping raise awareness so that students and residents who needed tax assistance knew the service existed and felt comfortable accessing it.

The success of the clinics relied on strong collaboration. I worked alongside faculty, accounting students, and professional volunteers to help align schedules, expectations, and support needs. The initiative operated within the framework of the Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, ensuring that services met required standards while remaining focused on accessibility and community impact.

Beyond logistics, this work reinforced the value of experiential learning. Accounting students and volunteers were able to apply their skills in real‑world settings, while community members received guidance navigating a system that can be overwhelming without support. For many participants, the clinics helped unlock access to important benefits and credits they might otherwise have missed.

Supporting the Free Tax Preparation Clinics reinforced for me that innovation is not always about new technology or bold disruption. Sometimes it’s about using existing resources more thoughtfully. By hosting these clinics through the Innovation Hub, we demonstrated how a post‑secondary institution can act as a true community anchor addressing everyday needs through simple, well‑coordinated action rooted in equity, dignity, and access.

Related Links & Media: https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/news/free-tax-preparation-clinics-to-be-held-at-st-lawrence-college