Right: This staff member is going on four years at SHCC in the elementary after-school program. He also works at the teen center and is known for street art around town. Here he draws with an SHCC after-school program student. Opposite: Each summer students in the new arrivals program (K through fifth grade) visit Shelburne Farms for a week of day trips.
Chittenden County escape their urban routines and participate in fun, adventurous activities by experiencing the outdoor wonders of Vermont. This program is offered at no cost because most participants are low income and would otherwise be unable to participate. Similar to the SHCC’s origins, the New Arrivals summer program helps up to 80 English language learner (ELL) kids avoid regressing in their English skills over the summer months when school isn’t in session. Recently, 80 children representing 9 countries and speaking 11 languages conducted science experiments, explored literature, and ventured out into the community to learn and practice English skills. FACING CHALLENGES “As a tiny, stand-alone agency with a long history of being nimble and starting programs, we’re pleased to be able to shift staffing and funding to meet changing community needs,” says Leisa. “We have fewer hoops to jump through to start new programs or change direction.” Like most nonprofits, however, SHCC faces annual funding challenges. Despite receiving $100,000 in United Way funding, $200,000 in private foundation funding, and $200,000 in childcare subsidy fees, none of these funding streams is guaranteed, and each must be secured every year. The rest of the center’s funding comes through donations and a small number of fundraisers, including the Soup Supper at the Teen Center in February and an annual golf tournament in August.
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Meanwhile, challenges such as the opioid epidemic continue to wreak havoc on individuals and families in Burlington and throughout Vermont. “The center staff work really hard to support families who are dealing with incredibly complex issues—addiction, homelessness, lack of education. We try to instill hope in a better future, hope that there is a path forward,” says Leisa. “We’ve known we need to expand the pre-K program from a half day, five days a week, but we share space with the after-school program,” adds Leisa. “We’d like to establish fullday, full-year pre-K and toddler programs, but we’d need a new facility to operate that type of program.”