On Saturday, June 10, community members are encouraged to learn what it’s like to be homeless in Franklin and Grand Isle counties. “A Walk in Their Shoes” aims to educate the community about homelessness by offering an opportunity to see and hear about the daily challenges unhoused neighbors encounter.
A new project presenting the stories of individuals facing homelessness and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity advocates who help them is traveling to several towns in Franklin County this summer. Produced by Vermont Folklife, the exhibit made its first stop in Burlington’s City Hall Park on Saturday, May 13. ‘In our words, in our community,’ holds space for 15 community members' stories through photographed portraits and audio recordings of interviews. Each person’s story is displayed on a yard sign, with a portrait on one side and a QR code leading to audio recordings of their story on the other.
Tucked away in Burlington’s South End, one of the city’s pocket parks Wednesday got a little TLC as part of Community Action Day. There was a little love for a little park Wednesday as part of the second annual Community Action Day put on by a handful of Burlington organizations. The goal was to breathe a little life into the Champlain Street Park.
SNAP benefits, also called 3SquaresVT, give payments to families looking for food assistance. Extra benefits were given out starting in March 2020. According to the state, these benefits have reached over 40,000 households. Now, more families may be turning to food shelves for help.
A federally mandated system works to help the homeless transition into permanent housing without falling through the cracks. Our Katharine Huntley looks at how the Coordinated Entry system is working in Chittenden County. Statistics show 794 people in Chittenden County are homeless or are about to be. That’s 618 households that need stable housing.
The Community Kitchen Academy in Burlington has named Jonathan Barzensky as its new chef instructor.
Need help with your taxes? The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance helps low-to-moderate income Vermonters file their taxes.
Governor Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the launch of the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program (MHIR), offering financial assistance to manufactured home communities (commonly known as mobile home park) as well as current and prospective manufactured home owners. The program, funded by $4 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide financial assistance for park improvements, home repair and foundation installation.
With Tax Day just over two months away, and The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity is making it easier for low- and moderate-income Vermonters file their taxes. The organization’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is aimed at households with income of $60,000 or less.
Ending homelessness during childhood may help solve adult homelessness moving forward, according to the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. It’s launched a new program focused on getting families into affordable housing, and helping them stay there.