of Addison County A Special Section of the Addison Independent Thursday, October 20, 2016 LEXI CHICKANOSKY AND Scout Hall volunteer with other students in the Mount Abraham Vermont Teen Leadership Safety Program on the Days of Caring.
United forces help make a difference By KATE MCGOWAN Executive Director, UWAC Greetings my comrades in arms! I know that is a surprising salutation — perhaps less so when we consider our arms to be our shared time, voice and treasure. Many of us in the United Way network have been asking “what are we fighting for?” As I listen to you — donors, volunteers, board members and colleagues, I hear a variety of answers: “I’m fighting for housing,” “for nutrition,” “for job readiness,” “for literacy,” “for healthy babies,” “for successful kids,” “for financial literacy,” “for stable households,” “for access to high quality health care,” “for expansion of recovery services,” “for the de-stigmatization of poverty or addiction or mental health issues,” “for aging safely in place” and “for safety.”
LINDA AND IRA SCHIFFER UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
The Schiffers remind us what it means to be part of a community By LINDA AND IRA SCHIFFER United Way Campaign Chairs 2016-2017 As we take in the beauty of the hills and of the season here in Addison County, we want to express our deep thanks and appreciation to all of you who are engaged in the important work of the United Way. The United Way of Addison County partners with local and state non-profit health and human service organizations, government agencies and the business community, to achieve our goal of creating better lives for all. When children go to school carrying the weight of their parents’ problems, they can’t learn; when a person is working through substance abuse issues, keeping a job can be impossible, aggravating all financial issues, which include food, medicine, transportation
and rent. We know it’s cliché, but we truly believe it takes a community, not just to raise our children, but to offer help and assistance to those in need of some support so they can make a better life for themselves and their children, and reach their fullest potential. We each have our own local charities, projects and religious institutions we support. That’s where we go first to volunteer and give. In addition to these important commitments, none of us can be aware of all the organizations doing the hard work to support individuals and families in our community. United Way is OUR way to support ALL of those efforts. Please join us in making this year’s United Way campaign the success it needs to be, for us to be the community we want to be.
What is the fight that brings all these battles into one united front? I am beginning to see our shared efforts as a fight for opportunity for all. A shared effort to ensure no one slips through the cracks. A shared commitment to invite, encourage and support the easily ignored, dismissed and stigmatized to participate and succeed in our community. A quiet revolution of inclusion in all the promise that living in Addison County Vermont has delivered to so many (but not all) of us. I would love to hear from you directly about what are you willing to fight for. Does the fight I’ve described here resonate with you? I hope I can count on you for your continued support as we enter this, our 48th campaign to fight many battles but more importantly for the unified fight for community-wide participation and success.
Donors, volunteers make United Way work
By RON HALLMAN United Way of Addison President of United Way of County has a long tradition of Addison County Board helping people through raising The essence of the Misfunds, delivering programs sion Statement for our local and mobilizing the commuUnited Way is “to improve nity. This past year was one lives and strengthen our of great need in our commucommunity”....a powerful nity, but it was also a year of statement and a challenging tremendous generosity and goal. people engaging to help their For the past 27 years, I have neighbors. witnessed our United Way Without you — our donors, striving to attain this goal and volunteers, and friends — fulfill this mission through we could not touch so many HALLMAN programs and financial conhearts. We could not rise in tributions to many local agenunison to be a greater comcies that serve some of our most vulnerable munity and to answer the calls for help. We neighbors; supporting quality childcare for thank you for your support and we encourchildren, shelter for women in abusive situ- age you to continue to help us make a difations, healthcare for the uninsured, hous- ference. Please give as generously as you ing for the homeless and food for families are able so that we can achieve our vision who need some extra help and so much of a strong and healthy Addison County for more…. all.
PAGE 2 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
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Helping prevent substance abuse in our county is an important goal By JESSE BROOKS prepare for our first community In July I on took on the role of meeting where we will invite Regional Prevention Partnership potential stakeholders to discuss Coordinator after we (United Way recent local data and to determine of Addison County) received a the possibility of collaborating. 5-year grant this past spring. The past few months have really In the next 5 years our goal been unraveling the details and (based on the design of the grant) framework of this grant and begin is to reduce the use of substance to understand the resources and abuse in youth, specifically readiness of our Addison County BROOKS focusing on the ages of 12 through community as we prepare this 25. The past 3 months I have attended several grant to support one of the biggest efforts in seminars and trainings to prepare me for the our state: prevention. strategic planning process of the grant, I have Having two children of my own I also been focusing my efforts on networking understand the importance of prevention and and getting to know the surrounding agencies, communication and how vital of a role it plays schools, and other community members to in shaping a successful future. This grant and better understand the county’s capacity. this new position are both professional and Currently, I am working with my director personal for me and I am eager to see our and the Vermont Department of Health as we vision come to life.
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United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016 — PAGE 3
Volunteering is fast easy and essential for our community
This was an exciting and busy summer for us; it was the first official year that the United Way of Addison County took on a program known as The Back to School Shop, a program that has been available to the Addison County community for decades. Taking on this program meant reviewing its current format and determining if there was a need for updates, and the staff found one major opportunity area. A study conducted by Middlebury College shows that 45 percent of individuals living in Addison County are at or below the poverty level, whereas the official federal poverty level only recognizes 11 percent. “In our minds this meant that there was a large portion of the community that we were not reaching or able to help simply because, on paper, they were not considered to be struggling, but as the study shows this is not the case,” explains Jesse Brooks, Volunteer and Regional Prevention Partnership Coordinator at United Way of Addison County. In the past the program had more strict eligibility guidelines, so the staff this year took a slightly different approach in an effort to ensure universal access. To begin, collection sites dubbed “Stuff the Bus” were created with school buses at three sites in Addison County and made it possible for anyone in the community to contribute to the program. United Way of Addison County then partnered with the local food shelves, churches, and recreation departments to distribute the supplies. In combination with the collected supplies and over $3,000 in cash donations from donors in the community the United Way of Addison County was able to prepare over 190 supplies-stuffed back packs for elementary, middle, and high school age kids.
We have said it before and we will say it again, United Way of Addison County is difficult to explain, not because what we do is complicated but what we do isn’t limited. We are not easily categorized because we can easily fall into all categories. One of the (many) reasons we love working here is that we always have an answer; we never have to say “no” to anyone seeking opportunity. “The program is The Volunteer Censtill very much ter is part of the reason why we continue to be in it’s infancy, successful in this com- we launched munity, through the this less than a center we are able to connect with individu- year ago but so als, agencies, schools, far the benefits centers, businesses have proven to be and other community substantial.” sectors and serve as — Volunteer Center the bridge in linking Coordinator them to one another. If Jesse Brooks it wasn’t already easy enough to volunteer we have made even more improvements to make the ease of volunteering that much simpler. In less than 5 minutes you can register as a United Way of Addison County volunteer and respond to an agency need of your choice. Using our new online volunteer program puts Addison County volunteering at your fingertips. You are able to browse different (See Volunteers, Page 8)
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PAGE 4 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
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Youth honored for their service to community
United Way of Addison County fosters community service in all community members, but especially in our youth. We look for nominees who have shown initiative and creativity in developing a community service project, service that has resulted in a positive impact in the community, and personal learning on the part of the volunteer. In that spirit we honored young people at two events in 2016. On behalf of a generous donor, two senior high school students were chosen for the Addison County Senior Service Awards, which were presented on May 26 at our Community Celebration. This award comes with a $1,500 cash award for each student, to be used for post-graduation education. Nominees who were not selected for this award were recognized and received a certificate of appreciation for their contribution to our community. This year’s nominations included Makayla Foster (Middlebury Union High School), Sarah Stearns (Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center), Daniel Emmell (Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center), and Zoe CasselsBrown (Mount Abraham Union High School). Our inaugural scholarship winners were Sarah Stearns for her work in suicide prevention and anti-bullying, and Zoe Cassels-Brown for her many years of community service in a variety of areas from blood drives to food shelves, and her enthusiasm for embracing the culture of a small town and all it has to offer. On Sept. 22, we recognized elementary, high (See Youth service awards, Page 8)
United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016 — PAGE 5
LOCAL STUDENTS WHO were recognized during the Days of Caring for their volunteering are, from left, Abigail Benz, Roger Winters, Chelsea Colby, Saskia Kiely and Tinder Kiely.
PAGE 6 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
2016 Days of Caring means local impact! The United Way of Addison County’s 2016 Days of Caring mobilized 675 volunteers from Middlebury College, Middlebury and Mount Abraham union high schools, Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, elementary schools, area businesses, nonprofit agencies and the community as a whole. Volunteers traveled to all corners of Addison County to accomplish needed projects. The weather was beautiful, and the spirit of giving was truly inspiring! Volunteers, with the support of 33 generous business and non-profit sponsors, donated over 3,000 hours on Thursday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 24. They collaborated to complete 75 projects at 50 local social service agencies, libraries, schools, museums, farms, shelters, nursing homes, churches and town offices for a total value of over $72,000 in donated labor to our community non-profits. Here’s a sampling of the projects that volunteers completed: • Harvesting gardens or helping with land based projects for HOPE (Helping Overcome Povert’s Effects), Living Well, Middlebury Area Land Trust and the Willowell Foundation. • Making playground improvements for Cornwall School, the town of Middlebury and the Bridge School. • Helping organize book collections at Bixby, Salisbury, Ilsley and Lincoln libraries. • Supporting clients and residents at Elderly Services Inc., Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation and Armory Lane Senior Housing. • Cooking and baking for the Charter House Coalition and the College Street Children’s Center, • Building a greenhouse, storage shed, raised gardens and compost boxes for the Leicester, Ripton and Bridport elementary schools. • Painting and organizing at the Whiting School, John Graham Housing and Services, Middlebury Community Music Center and Town Hall Theater. • Rebuilding a house for Addison County Community Trust, and much, much more. The people of the United Way of Addison County extend their sincere thanks to the participants for making the 2016 Days of Caring event a great success.
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VOLUNTEERS OF ALL stripes helped area nonprofits with all sorts of tasks during Days of Caring last month. Pictured giving their time and talents are, above left, Jerrod Rushton painting steps; stuffing envelopes at left are, left to right, Teresa Aranguiz, Janice Whittemore, Charlene Bryant and Judy Cole; above, Mount Abe student Hailey Trayah helps harvest at the Willowell property in Monkton.
United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016 — PAGE 7
SERVICE WAS THE theme during the Days of Caring, Sept. 22 and 24. Giving their efforts were, above left to right, standing, Mount Abe students Danielle Catella, Hailey Trayah, Kevin Daniels, Siena Hoaglund and Skyla Jackson, and crouching, Lexi Chickanosky, Emily Tillotson and Scout Hall at the Willowell property in Monkton; below right, Kevin Daniels and Danielle Catella; and above right, Maria Farnsworth and JoAnne Kenyon beautify the entrance to the United Way office in Middlebury.
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PAGE 8 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
Emily Sheehan, Dental Assistant; John Viskup, DMD; Lisa Sullivan, Dental Office Manager Not pictured: Susan Grimes, Dentist; Diane Mortier, Dental Hygienist
61 Pine Street Bristol, VT 05443 802-453-6777 www.mountainhealthcenter.com
MHC WELCOMES TWO NEW PROVIDERS!
Within the growing need and ever evolving world of health care, Mountain Health Center has stepped up to the plate. Especially this year, as we have opened the doors to our 2 chair Mountain Health Dental Care, thanks in part to the United Way! Currently, we are accepting new patients regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay. Mountain Health offers free Vermont Health Connect assistance, a sliding fee discount program, and flexible payment plans. In addition, to meet the changing perspectives and needs within our healthcare community, we have integrated complementary care services and holistic wellness workshops into our scope of practice. Also this year, we have a growing provider staff as we welcome new providers John Viskup, DMD, Susan Grimes, DDS, Amber Jimerson, FNP and Renee Bratspis, MD. We would also like to acknowledge the continued dedication and commitment to patient centered care from our other providers Marian Bouchard, MD, Charles Clark, MD, Jeff Wulfman, MD and Suzanne Germain, ANP. As always we are, “More than just support. More than just devoted. More than just health care.” ~Unsolicited thanks from a long time patient. We thank YOU all for your continued . support!
Renee Bratpsis, Amber Jimerson, MD FNP
MEMBERS OF THE Panther lacrosse team harvested a garden for HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects) during Days of Caring.
Youth service awards… (Continued from Page 5) school and college students attending schools in Addison County. These awards come with a small grant (dependent on sponsorship totals) to be given to the local health and human services non-profit organization of the recipient’s choice. These students were recognized and shared their stories at our Days of Caring Breakfast. Recognized were: Saskia and Tinder Kiely (Vergennes Union High School) for their work in raising awareness and funds for the John Graham Shelter and food programs, along with working in the community garden; Abigail Benz (Middlebury Union High School) for over 400 hours of volunteer work with the Open Door Clinic; Roger Winters (Middlebury College) for his work with the Charter House Coalition for the past three years as a
volunteer and as a leader of the Charter House student organization; and Chelsea Colby (Middlebury College) for her work with Mary Johnson Children’s Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes in the areas of nutrition outreach and mentoring, and the Addison County Hunger Action Council. We are so very fortunate to have such incredible students in our midst. In addition to those listed here, we would like to recognize Middlebury College, all students from Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, and the entire 10th grade class from Middlebury Union High School, who participate in Days of Caring every year. Our many thanks go out the wonderful sponsors of this year’s awards: Middlebury Eye Associates, MoneyPeace, Co-operative Insurance, Texture Salon, and Woodware.
Volunteers… (Continued from Page 3) agency needs, respond to needs, track hours and schedule your time with the agency all in one location. Our new program is carefully monitored by the Volunteer Center Coordinator Jesse Brooks, which makes the volunteer process still very personal and catered to individual interest. “The program is still very much in it’s infancy, we launched this less than a year ago but so far the benefits have proven to be substantial,” Brooks said. “Having a one-stop location for all of our volunteer information and needs
has proven to be very beneficial to catering to people’s very busy lives, people in this community really want to help one another and this program just makes it easier for them to do so.” The new program is available online by clicking “Volunteer” on the United Way of Addison County website: www.unitedwayaddisoncounty.org. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about the volunteer center at United Way of Addison County, please call 802-388-7189 or email: jesse@ unitedwayaddisoncounty.org for more details.
United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016 — PAGE 9
ACCT has been preserving and creating affordable housing since 1990. Our mission is to ensure that residents of Addison County have access to a safe, affordable place to call home. We currently own and manage over 600 units of permanently affordable housing, including multi-family apartments, mobile home parks, and single-family homes. We also provide “Support and Services at Home” (SASH) to help up to 250 residents of ACCT senior housing & in surrounding communities age safely at home.
Photo by Sally McCay
Visit us online at addisontrust.org or at 272 Main Street in Vergennes to learn more!
BillBeck.com SUPPORTIVE, GENEROUS COMMUNITIES ENRICH US ALL Thanks to the United Way, its supporters & volunteers
Free tax help – free tax assistance Sponsored by RSVP, AARP and the United Way of Addison County Beginning in February 2017, RSVP INTERESTED IN and the United Way of Addison County VOLUNTEERING TO ASSIST will once again be offering two free TAX FILERS? Seeking FAST Tax Assistants programs to help you file your taxes! Help community members file their It’s a great way to potentially save some extra money after the holidays by taxes electronically. This is a program that serves low- to moderate income cliavoiding tax preparation fees. RSVP will have AARP-trained ents who are familiar with computers, but and certified volunteers available to need assistance as they input their own tax information into a free prepare state and federal on-line tax program similar income tax returns and anto TurboTax. swer tax questions for low- Each year from Volunteer tax advisers will and middle-income resi- February through work primarily out of the dents of Addison County. April, volunteers United Way office from FebSpecial attention will be help prepare ruary 1st through April 15th, given to those ages 60 and and will receive orientation, older. Appointments will federal and assistance with on-line trainbe available at the Bixby state tax returns ing and on-site support from Library in Vergennes, the for residents of Way Staff. To protect Bristol Rescue Squad and Addison County. United the people we serve, a backthe Middlebury Volunteer These Tax-Aide ground screening will be reAmbulance Association. quired. United Way Worldwide Counselors Daytime, late afternoon, has also partnered with My- receive free tax evening and weekend shifts FreeTaxes, Goodwill, and are available. Call 388-7189 the Walmart Foundation to training and for more information. offer a tax preparation web- become certified VITA Tax Assistance site that allows filers who by passing the Program Seeks New Volmade less than $64,000 IRS exam. unteers (in calendar year 2016) to Each year from February file online anytime, anywhere for free. This website should be through April, volunteers help prepare available to begin filing in late Janu- federal and state tax returns for resiary 2017. Filers needing extra assis- dents of Addison County. These Taxtance may also make an appointment Aide Counselors receive free tax trainwith one of our trained volunteers at ing and become certified by passing the the United Way of Addison County IRS exam. No prior experience in tax preparain Middlebury. For more information, please go to: unitedway.org/my- tion is required, though computer skills are necessary. freetaxes. A special information and introducSafe, secure, easy and free! To determine which program is best tory training session is scheduled in for you, or to schedule an appoint- October at the AARP Offices in Burlment, call our seasonal hotline at 398- ington. For more information, please call 388-7044. 0004 starting in January 2017.
Bill Beck Real Estate 802-388-7983
People Helping People
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PAGE 10 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
New faces at United Way of Addison County
Lee Bilson, Office Administrator “It is a real pleasure having the opportunity to work with the United Way of Addison County in the capacity of Office Administrator. It allows me to use my organizational skills to keep the office running smoothly. “In turn the rest of the staff is then able to use their skills to help others in the community by giving them resources to better their lives.”
were closing their doors, so I was immediately forced back out into the daunting task of searching for a new job. It was only one week into my job search when I found myself interviewing and then being hired for the position of Office Administrator at the United Way of Addison County. I felt an immediate connection with all of my coworkers, and knew I had landed in the right place. It wasn’t long before I BILSON was asked to fill the position for the Workplace Resource Coordinator. Because of the nature of the job, Alix O’Meara, Volunteer Coordinator for I knew it was the right fit for me. As someone RSVP. who is pursuing a career in psychotherapy, I Alix has a background in elementary felt as if I had found my life’s calling when education and is a member of offered this position — a position the Weybridge Selectboard of helping and supporting others. and the PMC Auxiliary Board. The most fulfilling part of my She enjoys helping community job is being able to connect and members connect with the many identify with these employees local agencies that RSVP serves. who are faced with some very Alix encourages community real and very distracting barriers. members to call or stop by the It is my intention to help them RSVP office and learn more about not only find the resources volunteering in Addison County. in the community to address the obstacles, but also to find Suzanne Waldren, Employee themselves a little closer to a Resource Network Coordinator feeling of well-being. O’MEARA As a newly single mother, I I am a native Californian, spent was attracted to Addison County my childhood years in Alaska, because of the friendliness and inclusiveness and a few places in between. As a person I experienced while visiting the area. Shortly who was raised by parents with nomadic after moving here a little over a year ago, tendencies, I have certainly learned to the company I worked for informed me they embrace and appreciate change. I have lived
on both coasts, and relocated is complicated but because what to this area from Southern we do isn’t limited. There are no Vermont. Music is my one of boundaries to our resources and no my main loves (my children boundaries to how and when we are my first love). While living can support, which is why I love in Southern Vermont, I sang, the work that we do. The volunteer and found my singing voice center is an extension of our again within a 90-person world seemingly infinite offerings; we choir. In 2006, I travelled with a work with other agencies, schools, group from Village Harmony to and non-profits in Addison County Macedonia to sing for 17 days. to assist with their volunteer needs I mostly enjoy deep connection to provide our community with a WALDREN with loved ones, friends and all central volunteering station that others around me. Dancing is stretches out like a hand over the on the top of my list, too ... there is always an region. It has been a privilege and a catalyst opportunity to dance. for motivation to be the face of this center, to see how committed our community genuinely Jesse Brooks. Volunteer & Regional performs has been truly inspiring. Prevention Partnership Coordinator As a native Vermonter I enjoy all of the I joined the United Way of Addison typical and seasonal variety of activities that County team in April when this beautiful state has to offer. I was hired part-time as the My family and I enjoy hiking Volunteer Coordinator. Since then the mountains, walking the local I have maintained my role in the dirt roads, and snowshoeing in volunteer center as well as taking the winter. I enjoy cooking with on the coordinating role for the local and seasonal ingredients Regional Prevention Partnership and introducing different foods, Grant that we received this past flavors, and cooking techniques spring which established my to my kids. I have a deep rooted full-time status here. I grew up love for children’s literature and in Vermont — mostly in Addison I have enjoyed watching my kids BROOKS County — so working here and develop the same passion. My being a part of the pillar that favorite book is “The Giving supports this community has really become Tree” by Shel Silverstein, I remember even paramount to how I measure my success in as a child being captivated by the story’s business and in my personal life. profound simplicity. The idea that even a The United Way of Addison County is stump that thinks it has nothing to offer could difficult to explain, not because what we do be the exact thing someone else needs.
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Thank you, United Way, for your work in our communities! MOUNT ABE STUDENTS take a breather during Days of Caring. Shown are, left to right, Emily Tillotson, Lexi Chickanosky, Scout Hall, Siena Hoaglund, Kevin Daniels, Hailey Trayah, Skyla Jackson and Danielle Catella.
Thanks to the United Way for helping to keep our communities strong and vibrant!
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United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016 — PAGE 11
3 pillars of success:
Helping people with health, education and finances make a difference to us all
United Way of Addison County focuses its helping members of our community build on the three pillars of success: health, education and financial stability. Let’s look at these pillars individually. Increasing Access To Health Care And Healthy Life Choices For Individuals And Families When you support United Way of Addison County you are promoting programs that provide access to quality healthcare, supports for independent living, and healthy choices. These programs encompass reading proficiency, preschool, strengthening families, teen centers, alternative education, and mentoring. We have funded the following programs related to health: Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Age Well (formerly CVAA), Open Door Clinic, Counseling Service of Addison County, Elderly Services, Hospice Volunteer Services, Lund Family Center, MiddSummer Lunch and Recreation Program, Turning Point Center and WomenSafe. Increasing Access To Educational Opportunities That Promote Personal Success In School, Work, And Life When you support United Way of Addison County you are promoting programs that help children and youth achieve their highest potential. These programs encompass reading profi-
ciency, preschool, strengthening families, teen centers, alternative education, and mentoring. We have funded the following programs related to education: Addison County ParentChild Center, Addison County Readers, Addison Central Teens & Friends, Boys & Girls Club of Vergennes, Bristol Family Center, Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program, The Hub Teen Center & Skatepark, Mary Johnson Children’s Center, Otter Creek Child Center, Starksboro Co operative Preschool and The DREAM Program Improving The Financial Stability Of Individuals And Families When you support United Way of Addison County you are promoting the financial stability and independence of households through programs that provide affordable housing, quality childcare, reliable transportation, career mentoring, financial training and tax preparation in addition to basic needs such as food and shelter. We have funded the following programs related to financial stability: Addison County Community Trust, Addison County Transit Resources, Charter House Coalition, H.O.P.E., John Graham Emergency Shelter and Pathways VT Housing Program. By having strength in each of these pillars means that members of our community are more financially secure and more able to contribute to their fullest.
Thank You ~
to all who work on behalf of the United Way. We value the work you do making our lives better.
DINE THE UNITED WAY United Way of Addison County P.O. Box 555 Middlebury, VT 05753
802.388.7189 www.UnitedWayAddisonCounty.org Don’t just go out to eat, go out to eat AND feed another. When you dine at these restaurants during Dine the United Way, a portion of your ticket sales will come back to the United Way of Addison County. We will then turn that money around to support the programs and services in our community working to fight hunger. Don’t see your favorite local restaurant? Encourage them to participate.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2016
United at Work helps deal with challenges The program, formerly known as Working Bridges; now United at Work, has been active at Middlebury College, Porter Hospital and Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation for two years now. The program is designed to address life challenges for employees that take place in their personal lives, outside of the workplace. These life challenges often distract from the ability to be fully present in one’s job responsibilities, and are often a barrier to showing up for work. The main role of the Workplace Resource Coordinator is to evaluate exactly what services the employee is needing and then research and locate those resources in Addison County to address the issues. It is our goal to find the resources that directly address the presenting issue and also support the employee through the process. Historically we have seen that the three main issues that present themselves time and time again are housing, transportation and
childcare. There are some really terrific and rich resources in Addison County that address these issues, and when the resources aren’t available, I try to get as creative as I can to help the employee problem solve and come up with alternative solutions. Throughout the year, the program provides free and confidential resource coordination, free-tax preparation assistance and financial stability classes. The financial stability classes, called Earn it, Keep It, Grow It (EKG), are offered on-site over a four-week time period, and have been quite a success in the past. The free on-site tax assistance was introduced last year to these two workplaces, and we are hopeful that more employees will take advantage of it this coming tax season. The overall benefit to the employer is employee productivity and retention. The cost of employee absence and also rehiring/training new employees, are issues we hope to offset by providing this service.
Hatch 31 31 Main Street Bristol • 453-2774 20% of sales on Nov 4-5
Green Peppers Restaurant 10 Washington St. Middlebury • 388-3164 15% of sales on Oct 17, 24, Nov 7, 14
51 Main 51 Main Street Middlebury • 388-8209 Donating meals to families in need.
Daily Chocolate 7 Green St. Vergennes • 877-0087 10% of sales from November 1-5 Storm Café 3 Mill St. Middlebury • 388-1063 10% of breakfast & lunch sales November 8-10 Middlebury Inn Morgan’s Tavern 14 Court Square Middlebury • 388-4961 15% of sales from November 9-11 Fire & Ice Restaurant 26 Seymour St. Middlebury • 388-7166 10% of sales on November 17 & 22
Join us for some fun, great food, and support your local United Way. For more information, please visit www.UnitedWayAddisonCounty.org
Proud to donate 10% of all membership fees to the United Way. 388-6888 – Middlebury
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vermontsun.com
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877-2030 – Vergennes
PAGE 12 — United Way • Addison Independent, Thursday, October 20, 2016
Thank You! TO OUR BUSINESS, AGENCY AND SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS: Addison Country Transit Resources, Bread Loaf Corporation, Country Home Products, Counseling Service of Addison County, Hannaford Food and Pharmacy, Holden Insurance, Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship at Middlebury College, Kinney Drug, Middlebury College Center for Careers & Internships, Middlebury College Center for Community Engagement, Middlebury College Men’s Lacrosse Team, Middlebury College Locksmith Department, Middlebury College Men’s Ice Hockey Team, Middlebury College Women’s Field Hockey Team, Middlebury College Volunteer Services Organization, Middlebury College Community Friends, Mt. Abe High School VTLSP Club, Middlebury Union High School, New Haven Reform Church, Patricia Hannaford Career Center, Ripton Elementary School, United Way of Addison County, Vermont Adult Learning, WomenSafe.
TO OUR SCHOOL COORDINATORS : Emma McDonald of the Center for Community Engagement at Middlebury College, Keith Collins of MUHS, Sharon Koller of MAUHS, Wendy Pratt of the Patricia Hannaford Career Center.
THANK YOU
TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS FOR MAKING DAYS OF CARING A SUCCESS!
TO OUR JOB SITE COORDINATORS: Courtney Allenson, Terri Arnold, Tasha Ball, Ed Barnwell, Colby Benjamin, Becky Bertrand, Lee Bilson, Margaret Bojanowski, Lily Bradburn, Fernanda Canales, Jocelyn Cassady, Joanne Corbett, Earl Corey, Marcy Cram, Jessica Danyow, Anne Marie Deering, John Derick, Mary Dodge, Nancy Durham, Bill Ford, Jennefer Eaton, Sarah Gayle, Catherine Goldsmith, Debi Gray, Tracy Harrington, Lindsey Hescock, Bob Hooker, Melanie Keesler, Pete Kellerman, Jen Kravitz, Wendy Leeds, Kerry Malloy, Chloe Marchand, Marilyn McDowell, Molly McEachen, Jeanne Montross, Erin Morrison, Lenore Morse, Jenne Morton, Melissa Nelson, Joni Osterhaudt, Susan Pare, Haley Rice, Eileen Rinker, Sarah Rougier, Diana Rule, Darla Senecal, Doug Sinclair, Jane Spencer, Brandon Streicher, Hayden Thompson, Kevin Unrath, Liz Walker, Eric Warren, Vicky Wideman.
TO OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS: Teresa Aranguiz, Kyler Blodgett, Charlene Bryant, Nick Causton, Judy Cole, Tessa Collins, Mary-Claire Crogan, Marilyn Daley, Jeremy D’Avignon, Bob Donnis, Ray Dora, Molly Dora, Maria Farnsworth, Molly Funk, Erika Garner, Bruce Giddings, Gavin Grady, Ron Holmes, Paul & JoAnne Kenyon, Robert Keren, Mahli Knutson, Dean Leary, Alice Leeds, Deb Lowd, Renee Marceau, Emily McFadden, Nancy McFadden, Dain McKee, Sheila McLaughlin Shaw, Barbara Merz, Chris Morris, Alice Munson, John Nuceder, Morgan Peer, Jill Rainville, Jerrod Rushton, Aviva Shwayder, Missy Sisters, Joyce Stephens, Bonnie Swan, Charlotte Tate, Janice Whittemore, Vijaya Wunnava, Deborah Young
TO OUR JOB SITES: AC Parent Child Center, Addison County Readers, Addison County Community Trust, Addison Central Teens, Armory Lane, Bixby Memorial Library, Bridge School, Bridport Central School, Bristol Family Center, Bristol Hub Teen Center, Bristol Recreation Department, Charter House Coalition, College Street Children’s Center, Cornwall School, EastView, Eddy Farm Horse and Rider, Elderly Services/Project Independence, Friends of Middlebury Hockey, Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation, Homeward Bound, HOPE, Ilsley Library, John Graham Housing and Services, Leicester Central School, Lincoln Cooperative Pre-School, Lincoln Library, Living Well, Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT), Methodist Church, Middlebury Community Music Center, Middlebury Parks & Recreation, Otter Creek Child Center, PAHCC, Residence at Otter Creek, Ripton Cemetery Commission, Ripton Elementary School, RSVP, Salisbury Community School, Salisbury Public Library, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Starksboro Cooperative Preschool, Starksboro Public Library, Town Hall Theater, United Way of Addison County, Vermont Folklife Center, Whiting Elementary School, Willowell Foundation.
United Way of Addison County P.O. Box 555, 48 Court Street, Middlebury, VT
TO OUR BUSINESS SPONSORS: Addison Independent, Bristol Bakery & Café, Bristol Financial Services, Champlain Valley Plumbing & Heating, Community Investment Counselors, Conner & Buck Builders, Co-operative Insurance, Countryside Carpet and Paint, County Tire Center, Inc., Forth & Goal, Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program, Green Mountain Electromagnetics, Inc., Hannaford Food & Pharmacy, Happy Valley Orchard, Holden Insurance, Help Me Grow, Jackman Fuels, Inc., Jackman’s, Inc., Junction Auto, Landworks, Lincoln Applied Geology, Maple Landmark, Marble Works Pharmacy, Middlebury Bagel Bakery & Deli, Middlebury Eye, Nathaniel Group, Money Peace, Otter Creek Bakery, Shaw’s Middlebury, Shaw’s Vergennes, Texture Salon, Vermont 2-1-1, Vermont Folklife Center, Woodware
388.7189
unitedwayaddisoncounty.org