From the Desk of Paul Dragon, 7/30/26
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:
Addison Community Action Navigator Hits the Street
Alongside her already full caseload, Addison Community Action’s Community Navigator, Zoraida, has been spending time this summer with partners from other agencies in Middlebury to meet directly with neighbors experiencing homelessness. Together, they are sharing hygiene products, connecting people with CVOEO resources, and building the kind of trust and relationships that are at the heart of this work.
CVOEO’s Proposed Emergency Shelter
CVOEO’s proposed emergency shelter in Chittenden County received recent media coverage. The attention underscores both the urgent need for expanded shelter capacity and the importance of thoughtful community conversation as we continue working toward safe, humane options for our neighbors.
Related coverage: Vermont Public and VTDigger
Financial Futures: Financial Planning with Young Adults
On July 23, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps hosted a Personal Finance Workshop in Richmond led by CVOEO’s Lead Financial Coach. Ten participants joined the hands-on session, which focused on building confidence, developing healthy money habits, and offering practical tools people can use in daily life.
Participants shared positive feedback, especially about the conversations on credit, credit cards, saving, and budgeting. Many said these topics were new to them and appreciated having concrete strategies to support their goals. There was also strong interest in Financial Futures’ Growing Money classes, which cover basic investing, saving strategies, and navigating rising costs. It is encouraging to see this partnership grow, and we look forward to offering another Personal Finance Workshop at VYCC this fall.
Reminder for CVOEO Young Professionals
Young professionals from Community Action Agencies across New England are warmly invited to join the regional Young Professionals Community of Practice. The group has been meeting every other month for nearly a year, creating a welcoming space for peer learning, networking, shared problem-solving, and leadership development across the region.
Time & Date: Thursday, August 6th, 3pm-4pm
Target Audience: CAA Staff aged 18-35
Facilitators: Isabella Dickens-Bowman, MASSCAP & Tanaysia Jefferson, CAFCA
Head Start Partners with University of Vermont Medical Students
Over the past program year, Head Start partnered with University of Vermont medical students through the Area Health Education Center program to create educational resources for Champlain Valley Head Start families. The students developed thoughtful, accessible handouts on healthy eating, free and low-cost food resources, recipes, air quality, tick safety, and water safety. Some materials include QR codes so families can access information in their home language—a small but meaningful way to make these resources more useful and welcoming.
Head Start and Beach Bites
Champlain Valley Head Start participated as a nonprofit vendor again this year at the City of Burlington's Beach Bites at Leddy Park. CVHS team members shared information about Head Start services and opportunities and answered lots of questions about the state of Head Start funding nationally. Children and families answered the question, "What is your favorite way to calm down?" before picking their favorite color of bubble wand while they enjoyed the free music in the park. A highlight of the event was having a BHS student come to the table to have his picture taken with his preschool picture as the face of CVHS. Some of his friends sent him a message saying they thought it looked a lot like him. He responded with a resounding, "That is me!" and quickly made his way over to see it for himself. It was fun to walk down memory lane of his time in our Franklin Square preschool 10 years ago. I guess it is time for a new face of CVHS on our promotional banner!
Feeding Champlain Valley and DREAM Program Volunteers
Feeding Champlain Valley held its first youth glean in Chittenden County at Sweet Roots Farm. The DREAM Program brought 12 youth and five counselors to harvest blueberries alongside regular adult volunteer gleaners. It was a wonderful example of community partnership, youth engagement, and local food recovery coming together in a very tangible way.
New Team Member at Feeding Champlain Valley
Feeding Champlain Valley welcomed Claire Ryan this week as the new Intake and Distribution Coordinator. Claire is already learning quickly and contributing to the team’s work. Please join me in giving Claire a warm welcome to CVOEO.