From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 1/8/26
At CVOEO, we believe in collaboration and transparency. That’s why every week Executive Director Paul Dragon shares a roundup of updates and initiatives to keep everyone, from our 300+ team members to the broader community we serve, informed and connected. Here’s what’s new this week!
Weekly Update:
New CVOEO Bridges Recovery Shelter Director
CVOEO is pleased to announce that we have hired Lacey Smith as the Director of our Bridges Recovery Shelter, the first Recovery Shelter in Chittenden County. Lacey has a strong background in social services administration, program development, and interagency collaboration and brings years of experience managing community-based initiatives that address complex social needs and promote equitable access to services.
In Lacey’s current role, Lacey oversees multiple programs that provide social service-related support within Burlington’s public safety system. Lacey’s work emphasizes restorative practices, trauma-informed approaches, and cross-sector partnerships with all the social service sectors that Burlington has to offer. Lacey developed and implemented the Community Support Liaison Program, the City of Burlington's first social work team. This work extended beyond development to encompass all aspects of the hiring process.
Lacey said that she is particularly drawn to this position because it combines direct service with program development and management, specifically with a population that she has come to admire. We are so fortunate to have Lacey Smith join the CVOEO’s team!
Emergency Cold Weather Shelter
CVOEO has activated the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter (ECWS) at the Miller Center three nights so far this winter. The activation is a logistical feat of efficiency, dedication, and compassion led by Sarah Russell, our Emergency Services Director, and Taylor Thibeault and Paul Decelles, our two Shelter Managers. The ECWS is staffed by CVOEO colleagues as well as colleagues from Howard, Lund, Champlain Housing Trust, and the City of Burlington.
On the first night, we had forty guests and three dogs; on the second night, we had forty-two guests and two dogs; and on the third night, we had forty-eight guests and three dogs. I cannot say enough about the team of people helping with set up, clean up, and covering both shifts at the Miller Center. Their care and expertise collaborating with people with acute and chronic medical conditions, mental health and co-occurring substance use conditions and trauma is remarkable. We have been successful at leveraging our resources to get people the support they need including access to our Champlain Place Warming Shelter.
Samaritan House Extreme Cold Weather Shelter
The Samaritan House Team opens the shelter lobby when the weather goes down to zero degrees. The team has opened the lobby eight nights this year and has seen a high of six people in one night.
Katie’s Kids Foundation and CVOEO
As you know, CVOEO named the house at our Champlain Place Emergency Shelter – Katie’s Meeting House - for Katie Hartnett. This week, the Hartnett family and Katie’s Kids Foundation donated $10,000 to our Champlain Place Emergency Shelter with a press event on Tuesday to highlight CVOEO’s work on homelessness as well as the Foundation’s work to support CVOEO. Tiffany Rich, our Champlain Place Director, represented CVOEO at our press conference and answered questions from several local media outlets. See one segment of media coverage below. Great job Tiffany!
CVOEO’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) begins services at the University Mall
CVOEO has 46 volunteers across our four counties, and five staff positions; Mike, Ming and Elaine have come back for another tax season to help manage the VITA program in Chittenden and Addison, respectively, Stephanie is ready to go in Franklin, and Jacqueline is overseeing the VITA service, managing the grants that support this work, and working with the other four Community Action Agencies to provide uniform services statewide.
Champlain College is hosting the annual in-person VITA training for volunteers, with longtime VITA Site Coordinator Mike McClintock facilitating the training. Chittenden Community Action will provide lunch for both days of the training. Once again, the University Mall will be donating space, and the CVOEO team and volunteers will be there much of the week including evenings and Saturday. Please spread the word to the folks you are working with and thanks!
Community Harvest Dinner
Feeding Champlain Valley’s Health Roots Collaboraitve Farm to School partnership helped coordinate a community Harvest Dinner at the Grand Isle School. There were over 176 attendees – students, siblings, parents, and grandparents. Peter sourced the produce for the meal from Grand Isle County farms. The students in every grade (K-6) helped prepare for the celebration by making artwork or helping to chop the vegetables and mix ingredients.
Read more (PDF): Grand Isle dinner, concert celebrates school, farm ties in Champlain Islands
Student artwork & a plate of food from the Harvest Dinner
CVOEO Code of Conduct Annual Reminder
At CVOEO, we take great care to create a welcoming and inclusive culture. Our culture is this organization’s most prized possession and what makes us effective in our programming, in our planning and in our community.
This Code of Conduct is intended to set the foundation of behavior expectations of anyone who represents in any capacity, is served by or employed with CVOEO. This is a commitment to colleagues, those we serve, our community and new or potential hires about the behaviors we expect at CVOEO. Clear expectations and accountability allow us to hold ourselves to a higher standard and strive to be the best organization and individuals we can be.
- CVOEO is committed to creating and sustaining an environment that reflects and embraces the diversity of our community, and where all people are respected and valued. We welcome all employees, volunteers, customers, and guests and believe deeply in our mission of economic, social, and racial justice.
- Specifically, the Code of Conduct applies to all interactions in various areas of our shared professional lives, including all events hosted by CVOEO, shared online spaces (i.e., email), social media, and conferences or other events where we represent CVOEO. Our behavior will be measured by the impact it has, not solely by our intentions. This is important to note – please carefully consider the impact of your actions and words on others.
- Everyone we serve, employees, volunteers, customers/clients, and guests (if in a CVOEO emergency housing program) are expected to be considerate of each other and contribute to a collaborative, positive, and healthy environment in which we can all succeed.
Specifically:
- Be inclusive. We welcome, partner with and support people of all backgrounds and identities. Go out of your way to include people in conversations. Speak plainly and avoid acronyms and jargon that not everyone may understand. Support others when you see a need. CVOEO is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality, caste, national origin, veteran, religion, union organization, parental status, or any group that has been marginalized.
- Be supportive of others, both proactively and responsively. Offer to help if you see someone struggling or otherwise in need of assistance (taking care not to be patronizing or disrespectful). If someone approaches you looking for help, be generous with your time; if you’re under a deadline, let them know when you will be able to help or direct them to someone else who may be of assistance.
- Be Collaborative. Involve others in social or business interactions. Seek out perspectives that are different than your own. While you may not always agree, take the opportunity to hear other opinions and to challenge your own thinking and experiences.
- Be Respectful. Treat every individual with whom you meet respect and dignity. Refrain from sharing jokes or making statements which are in any way demeaning, profane, contain slurs, stereotypes, or prejudice. We value diversity of opinion and encourage discourse in an environment where people feel safe and not threatened.
It is important to note that discrimination and harassment are prohibited. Furthermore, any behavior or language that is unwelcoming—whether it rises to the level of harassment—is also strongly discouraged.