From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 5/8/26
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:
BeWell@Work Summit
This week, Holly, a member of the CVOEO Wellness Committee, attended the Blue Cross Blue Shield BeWell@Work Summit, a statewide gathering of workplace wellness leaders focused on practical strategies, shared challenges, and emerging opportunities across Vermont organizations. The event included networking, small-group discussions, and actionable tools to support employee wellbeing. Participants also reviewed BCBS of Vermont workplace data and explored the six stages of change as a framework for building sustainable habits.
Mental Health Workshop
CVOEO’s Office of Racial Equity and Community Inclusion (ORECI) had a strong week of outreach and engagement. The team organized its first workshop focused on mental health and cost-of-living pressures, bringing together four presenters—two from CVOEO programs, Fair Housing Project and Head Start, and two external partners from NAMI and VT Carshare. The workshop welcomed 22 participants from several language and community groups, including Mandarin-speaking Chinese, Dari-speaking Afghan, Kibembe, and Somali Maay-Maay speakers. Presenters rotated between conference rooms so each group could engage with every topic during the two-hour session. The session was highly interactive and prompted thoughtful questions, particularly during the mental health presentation. Despite the stigma that can surround mental health in some communities, participants engaged deeply, and several stayed afterward for private conversations and referrals to specialized support services.
Better Building by Design Conference
ORECI Program Director, Virginie Diambou, served as a panelist at the 2026 Better Building by Design Conference on “Using Customer Segmentation, GIS, and Multilingual Media to Drive Program Impact.” The session drew strong participation and highlighted CVOEO’s effective approach to community outreach and multilingual communication.
CVOEO Garden Day: Friday, May 22
In partnership with 3SquaresVT, CVOEO staff and volunteers will distribute donated seeds and seedlings to help Vermonters save money by growing their own vegetables. Vermont residents can also apply for 3SquaresVT while attending the event. Staff are encouraged to share the event with clients and community networks, and volunteers are welcome to help support the event.
- Friday, May 22, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Old North End Community Center
- 20 Allen Street, Burlington
- Available seedlings: African eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, herbs, melon, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and zucchini.