With 2026 quickly approaching, we’re taking a moment to celebrate highlights from another impactful year at
Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS).
Kicking off 2025, VLGS hosted a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site on campus, preparing 70 tax returns for our neighbors and community members. Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA volunteers prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns, free of charge, for qualifying low-to-moderate income and elderly taxpayers.
The VLGS effort is coordinated by two employees: Pamela Cartier, librarian at the Community Legal Information Center, and Melissa Kalinen JD’06/MSEL’03, access services and interlibrary loan specialist. Cartier and Kalinen are supported by student, staff, and faculty volunteers who help make this initiative possible.
“People were very appreciative,” said Cartier. “We frequently heard how grateful people were that they did not have to travel far in the snow and bad weather, and how pleasant, patient, and knowledgeable our volunteers were.”
This summer, VLGS was nationally recognized as New Partner of the Year for its participation in the program at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly Community Partner Recognition Ceremony.
VLGS is proud to serve as a VITA host and looks forward to doing so again in 2026. We celebrate the effort and energy of our volunteers and thank them for their commitment to our community!
