This winter, CVOEO will once again partner with the City of Burlington to operate the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court in Burlington as the region's extreme cold weather shelter, continuing a successful partnership that provides a safe place for community members during periods of dangerously cold weather.
Six years ago, a Vermont nonprofit was asked to open a shelter for the first time. That decision protected the whole of Vermont. This commentary is by Paul Dragon, the executive director of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.
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!
CVOEO recognizes that a 100-bed shelter is a significant investment and a large response. But the scale reflects the reality of the crisis we are already facing.
Burlington city councilors are requesting the governor take new steps to help the Queen City address homelessness and drug use downtown. The request from city officials comes in the form of a resolution, which Burlington city councilors approved on a voice vote Monday night with support from Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.
The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity and Champlain Housing Trust are seeking a site where they can establish a 100-bed emergency shelter.
The number of people in Chittenden County who are unsheltered, or living entirely outdoors, has “been very, very high," Sarah Russell, the city's former special assistant to end homelessness, told the Burlington Free Press.
Vermont's Kid Governor is hosting a cereal drive this week to support area food shelves. Kid Governor Roslyn Fortin, a fifth-grader at Highgate Elementary School, launched the drive on Monday. The event continues this Saturday, April 18, with a special collection at Mother Hubbard's Deli & Country Store.
Even as the construction nears completion, potential spending cuts in Montpelier threaten the future of the combined enterprise.
The Bridges Recovery Shelter opened its doors in Burlington on Monday, offering a new resource for homeless Vermonters and those struggling with substance use.