On Saturday mornings, when most office buildings in the Central Business District are quiet, Cincinnati Works remains active thanks to a small group of dedicated volunteers. Each year from late January through mid-April, members of the Young Professionals (YP) Board commit their early Saturdays to assisting Cincinnati Works staff in filing Member tax returns. This service, offered to Members free of charge for life, results in hundreds of thousands of dollars refunded to the people we serve each year.
Leading this effort is Andrew Thompson, Volunteer Lead of the Cincinnati Works YP Board. Growing up in Appalachia gave Andrew an early understanding of the challenges associated with poverty, which inspired a deep commitment to making opportunity more accessible. He is passionate about supporting long-term, sustainable solutions that promote self-sufficiency, which drew him to Cincinnati Works. “I am confident that the work we get to do with CW will strengthen skills that help Members and their families for a lifetime,” says Andrew.
When reflecting on moments that have felt most meaningful, Andrew recalls the excitement of learning that Members received more than $300,000 in total refunds after his first year of volunteering. “Knowing the type of impact and opportunity that amount of money creates drives me to continue serving CW and encourage others to give.”
Professionally, Andrew is a Certified Financial Planner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Mariner. Outside of volunteering, he enjoys exploring Cincinnati Parks with his wife and their dog, Benny; spending summer nights watching the Reds at Great American Ballpark; and curling with the Cincinnati Curling Club. A lover of indie music, his current favorite on repeat is “An Hour or So” by Benny G.
Do you know a young professional who would be a great fit for our YP Board? To learn more, contact cincinnatiworksypgroup@gmail.com.