Month: August 2016

Pay Off Debt to Increase Your Saving Abilities.

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

 

 

Two tried & true methods of paying off debt

Does paying down debt sometimes feel like running on a treadmill to you? Every month, you pay off a little of one loan, and a little of another card, but it ultimately seems like you’re going nowhere. If so, BetterMoneyHabits.com can help you come up with a realistic debt repayment strategy.

There are many ways to pay down your debt, but if you’re lost, try starting with one of these two tried and true methods.



The snowball method

When using the snowball method of debt repayment, pay off your debt by targeting the smallest balance first. The idea behind this method is that you’ll feel a boost each time you pay off a new account, and those small victories keep you motivated. If you have trouble sticking with a plan, this could be the best option for you.

  • Step 1: Make a list of all of your credit card balances from lowest to highest. If two balances are similar, prioritize the card with the higher interest rate.
  • Step 2: Pay the minimum payment on all of your cards each month.
  • Step 3: Take any additional money you have available and put it toward the debt with the smallest balance. Do this each month until you’ve paid off your smallest debt.
  • Step 4: When you pay off a debt, do not use that account again until all your debt is gone. One clever idea to prevent any impulsive use of your card is to freeze it in a block of ice. Whatever you do, do not add any more debt while trying to simultaneously pay it off.
  • Step 5: Take the money you were paying toward each paid-off account and put it toward the next smallest balance on your list. The amount you put toward each larger debt will grow and grow.

The high rate method

When using the high rate method to pay off your debt, put the most money into your debt with the highest interest rate first. With this method, you will ultimately pay less in interest and get out of debt faster. If you want to get out of debt paying as little as possible, this could be the best option for you.

  • Step 1: Make a list of all your debts and arrange them by interest rate with the highest interest rate first.
  • Step 2: Pay the minimum payment on all of your cards each month.
  • Step 3: Take any additional money you have available and put it toward he debt with the highest interest rate. Do this each month until you’ve paid it off.
  • Step 4: When you pay off a debt, do not use that account again until all your debt is gone. It might help to take it out of your wallet and place it in a drawer. Whatever you do, do not add any more debt while trying to simultaneously pay it off.
  • Step 5: Take the money you were paying toward your highest balance and now concentrate on the debt with the next highest interest rate.

Tweet this now:
Two tried and true methods of paying off your debt: http://bit.ly/2bl7JYI v/ @AmericaSaves and @BofA_Tips #BetterMoneyHabits

Want more? Check out this 5 min video from Better Money Habits: watch the video here.

Copyright © 2016 America Saves, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

America Saves

1620 I Street Northwest, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20006

Read More

2016 Worksite Wellness Award Application is Now Open!

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

Hi all!

The 2016 Worksite Wellness Award Application is now open.  It can accessed at the link below.  Please distribute through your networks! 

The deadline for award applications is 11:59 pm October 31st, 2016.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016WorksiteWellnessAward

2017 Worksite Wellness Conference is scheduled for March 23, 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington.

 

Thank you!

 

Ashwinee Kulkarni

Public Health Specialist \ (802) 859-5916

Vermont Department of Health

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

108 Cherry Street

Burlington, VT 05401

 

Please note that my email address has changed to Ashwinee.Kulkarni@vermont.gov

 

 

Read More

FamilyWize Health and Wellness Newsletter – August 2016

Timothy Barre Leave a comment
FamilyWize - August 2016

Aug pic
Back-To-School Spending in 2016 Expected To Reach $75.8 Billion

It’s August, and that means back-to-school season is upon us. The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts back-to-school spending in the U.S. will rise to $75.8 billion, up 11.5% from $68 billion in 2015.

Of course, the back-to-school season can also mean an increase in illnesses, with an increased exposure to germs. This time of year can be expensive, but there are ways to find savings on all of your family’s health needs.

  • Many insurance carriers offer an annual well visit, which is a comprehensive doctor’s visit with no co-pay. Take advantage of this annual visit as part of your back-to-school preparation. Be sure to have a list of immunizations required by your child’s school (check with the school district or the American Academy of Pediatrics for specific requirements).

 

  • Vision checks are important prior to returning to school, as school performance may be affected by any vision challenges. If glasses are needed, there are many in-store offers this time of year, so be sure to do some comparison-shopping to get the best deal. According to Consumer Reports, you can save up to 40% by purchasing eyewear online.

 

  • Don’t forget the dental appointment. If you don’t have dental insurance, there are a few ways to save. You can visit a free or low-cost provider (listings available through the American Dental Association) or check out dental schools, another low-cost option.

Finally, you can prepare now to save on any prescriptions that your family may need. Download your Familywize Prescription Savings Card or get the app (for iPhone or Android devices). With FamilyWize you’ll always get the lowest price on your prescriptions, so don’t miss out on the savings.

You can find more back-to-school health basics on WebMD. Have a safe and happy school year!
Family Wize News

Drug Price Lookup Tool

It’s quick and easy to look up the FamilyWize price on your meds. Find the best price at a pharmacy near you and START SAVING NOW!

 
 Familywize

FamilyWizw Card
 
 FamilyWize Footer
 

 

Our mailing address is: FamilyWize P.O. BOX 1980 Bethlehem, PA 18016

Read More

GMP and Efficiency Vermont Announce eVolve Panton

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

Tue, 08/23/2016 – 4:30pm

Related Company:
Green Mountain Power Corp
Efficiency Vermont

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont are partnering on a community-wide rapid energy transformation project in Panton to reduce energy costs, lower fossil fuel use and improve comfort. Known as eVolve Panton, the effort will put Panton at the forefront of energy innovation in Vermont as the first town to know its total energy use, cost and carbon impact, giving it the ability to track energy and carbon-saving improvements.

“When communities and energy providers work together, powerful things can happen,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “We will accomplish in 12 months what would otherwise take 20 years, and when we are done, the people of Panton will have transformed their energy system into one that is more reliable, efficient and affordable.”

“This partnership will show that we are stronger working together to benefit Vermonters,” said Scott Johnstone, the Executive Director of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. “We are so excited to begin this innovative work in Panton, and to bring it to other communities across Vermont.”

Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont will work with local residents and businesses to get baseline data about energy use, cost and carbon and use the data to measure improvements. Residents will be offered technical assistance, financial incentives and financing to spur a dramatic and comprehensive energy transformation in Panton.

“Vermonters have long embraced energy efficiency,” said Liz Gamache, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “But never before has there been such an intensive effort to help everyone in the community save energy and save money, helping to reduce carbon throughout the community and transform our energy future.”

GMP and Efficiency Vermont will also partner with contractors to offer deep energy retrofits for homes and businesses, the addition of efficient heating and cooling systems like cold climate heat pumps, innovative technologies like battery storage, installation of renewable energy generation, and adoption of efficient transportation solutions. Both organizations say this program is the first of its kind in Vermont and Panton will serve as the pilot where strategies are tested to create rapid and lasting change.

“This is an exciting opportunity that Green Mountain Power and Efficiency Vermont have brought to our town,” said Howard Hall, a Selectboard member in Panton. “Helping to transform energy use and saving money for everyone in town is energizing our community to get involved and make a difference.”

About Green Mountain Power Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and has a vision to be the best small company in America by partnering with Vermonters to improve lives and transform communities.  GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: www.greenmountainpower.com (link is external). Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.

About Efficiency Vermont Efficiency Vermont is a statewide energy efficiency utility that helps all Vermonters to reduce energy costs, strengthen the local economy, and protect the environment by making homes and business energy efficient. Efficiency Vermont provides technical assistance, rebates, and other financial incentives to help Vermont households and businesses reduce their energy costs with energy efficient equipment, lighting, and approaches to construction and major renovation. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit www.efficiencyvermont.com (link is external).

Source: GMP. 8.23.2016. For more information or to sign up if you are a Panton resident call: 802-770-4088 or visit the eVolve Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/evolvepanton/

Read More

Vermont 2-1-1 Monthly Update – July 2016

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

 


Vermont 2-1-1

Vermont 2-1-1 Launches Mobile App!

You can download the app by searching “Vermont 2-1-1” in your phone’s app store.

Go mobile and download the free 211info app for smartphones today!

Vermont 2-1-1 Web Statistics

In addition to the contact statistics, the following data is from the 2-1-1 website and shows how the public used the database search engine  during the month of July:

Top Services: Clothing Donation Programs; Community Meals; Homeless Motel Vouchers; Medication Disposal; and Assistive Technology Equipment Listing Services

Top Agencies: Vermont Department for Children and Families; Good Samaritans; CVOEO; NECKA; Bennington County Coalition for the Homeless

Top Search by City: Burlington; Saint Albans; Brattleboro; New Haven, NC; White River Junction

Total Site Visits: 2578

Unique (First-Time) Visitors: 1338

Vermont 2-1-1 Monthly Contact Statistics

A message from the Director, MaryEllen Mendl

Vermont 2-1-1 responded to 2,196 contacts during the month of July, a total that is, like the June total, reflective of the financial relief that our few short months of summer offer.  Many Vermonters allow themselves a brief respite from those worrisome thoughts about the impending cold season and the added stressors it will inevitably bring.

The housing-related contact volume this month shows a 9% increase over June’s housing-related contact volume. So, in spite of the warmer weather, this reminds us that there are many Vermonters who are either precariously housed or attempting to regain stable housing before the winter months set in.

Despite the concerted efforts of human service agencies to promote the availability of assistance programs for those who qualify, more Vermonters (those who are eligible and receive assistance and those who are not and don’t) are reporting food insecurity and requesting information about potential food resources. Food-related contacts for the first six months of the year total 392. Total contacts for the entire year in 2015 for food-related contacts were 505. At Vermont 2-1-1, Contact Specialists do their best to connect callers to  resources to supplement their incomes by referring to both public assistance programs and to other local community food assistance programs offered by non-profit organizations throughout the state.

Consumer Assistance and Protection referrals continue to grow as more and more scams have the potential to affect the security of Vermonters. Contact Specialists not only make referrals to Vermont’s Consumer Assistance Program, but also advise callers to stay a step ahead of potential scams through provision of the latest info and practical tips offered by several consumer protection agencies. From the IRS to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, the warnings are all the same; whether you are on-line, on the phone or opening your snail mail, be aware of scams and never give out personal information.  This year so far, Vermont 2-1-1 has responded to 230 contacts for referrals to agencies that assist with General Consumer Complaints and Consumer Protection Agencies

A flurry of calls for Disaster Services in July is directly related to Vermont 2-1-1’s role as the Public Inquiry Line during Vigilant Guard, Vermont’s largest ever statewide full-scale functional exercise. A year was spent in planning the exercise and resulted in a script that involved not only an outbreak of pneumonic plague in Vermont, but also earthquakes in Montreal, Canada and upstate New York. Approximately 50 communities participated in this year’s Vermont National Guard-sponsored Vigilant Guard exercise, which also included participation by agencies from New York, New Hampshire and other nearby states. Special thanks to the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for their strong support of participating agencies and municipalities throughout the process.

Read Vermont 2-1-1’s monthly contact volume report here.

Emergency Housing in Vermont

Through a partnership with the State of Vermont’s Economic Services Division, Vermont 2-1-1 administers the After Hours Emergency Housing Program beginning at 4:30pm weekdays, throughout weekends and on state/federal holidays. Housing in Vermont has reached a critical need.

Vermont 2-1-1 Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists responded to 146 calls regarding housing needs. I&R specialists provide needs assessment, problem-solving support, and information and referrals to a wide range of services to each caller. Review Vermont 2-1-1’s Emergency Housing Report for July here.

Help Me Grow Update

On the phone lines at Help Me Grow VT, Child Development Specialists not only answer questions from parents, but also help to support anyone who is caring for a child from birth to age eight in Vermont. These include calls from childcare providers, social service providers, pediatric offices, and especially other family members such as grandparents, aunts and uncles. Some of these family members help to take care of children, and others have become kinship caregivers.

HMG Child Development Specialists answer parent and caregiver questions about children’s behavior and development and connect families to resources and services in their community.

Coming up in September: Vermont Kin as Parents is holding their annual conference on September 20th in South Burlington.

September is also National Baby Safety Awareness Month.  Call Help Me Grow VT if you have questions about Safe Sleep, babyproofing, car seats, etc.  You can reach us Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. by dialing 2-1-1 and pressing “6” for HMG VT.  You can leave messages for Child Development Specialists after hours, as Vermont 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Universal Pre-K Starts in September!

Are you a parent or guardian of a child who is 3 or 4 years old?  Would you like to learn more about Universal Pre-Kindergarten in Vermont? Act 166, signed into law in 2014, provides 10 hours of Pre-K education per week for 35 weeks per year at no cost to the parents. Universal Pre-K is publicly funded and it is available to all families, regardless of income.

Parents have the responsibility to enroll their child(ren) in a pre-qualified pre-kindergarten program and let the elementary school in their district know which school they chose. To find a pre-qualified pre-K program in your area, go to Bright Futures Child Care Information System and select “advanced search”. From there, you can choose to search for either a public or a privately owned pre-qualified pre-K program.

To learn more about Universal Pre-K, dial 2-1-1 and choose option 6 to speak to a Child Development Specialist at Help Me Grow Vermont.

 

 

Vermont 2-1-1 · PO Box 111 · Essex Junction, VT 05453 · USA

Read More

Price Chopper Pin-Up Campaign for United Way

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

All Price Chopper supermarkets hold what they call a Pin-Up Campaign for the benefit of local United Ways every August, where cashiers ask their customers if they would like to buy a “pin-up” for just $1.00.

UW_2016_Artwork_300x250 (1)

Last year, Green Mountain United Way received approximately $1,800 from just the 3 stores in our five counties.

When you are out shopping at Price Chopper, please consider donating that $1.00 (or more!!) to help our local efforts at assisting children to have a strong start in school, at helping families to become more financially stable and at encouraging people to live healthier lives.  Every thing we can do TOGETHER will make our communities stronger.

 

Madeleine C. Roy I Community Development & Marketing Director

Green Mountain United Way 

P.O. Box 33, 69 Main Street, Derby Line, VT 05830

802-647-2148 GIVE. | ADVOCATE. | VOLUNTEER. | LIVE UNITED™ www.gmunitedway.org

 

 

Read More

We’ve Moved

Timothy Barre Leave a comment
LIVE UNITED News

Executive Director’s Message

Tawnya Kristen‘Literacy and hunger – food for the body and food for the soul’

Dear Friends-

For years, GMUW has brought people together to create positive change on the local level to impact lives in our communities of Caledonia, Essex, Orleans, Orange and Washington Counties.  No other single organization has the scope, expertise, and influence to bring together human service agencies, government, businesses, funders and dedicated volunteers around a common vision of creating maximum impact and achieving long-lasting results.  Though much attention and work is placed on large scale initiatives, the impact of smaller projects must be recognized as the ripples that create the sea of change.

GMUW recently joined Northfield Savings Bank employees for a Day of Action Literacy Kit Program.  This program allows employees to work together in building interactive games and art work to be paired with a book and given to a child. This program has always offered a unique pathway in highlighting the importance of literacy and the obstacles that can inhibit a child’s ability to learn.  It was with this in mind that GMUW reached out to Hunger Free Vermont to coordinate the disbursement of the kits to a summer meal site at the Jaquith Library in Marshfield. The intent was to offer a collaborative experience for both business and community to better understand the direct connection between early learning and healthy food access year round for our most vulnerable children.  Though I could offer my reflections of this collaboration, I think the words of thanks from Sylvia Smith at the Jaquith Library summarize it best.

Many thanks to you and your crew for brightening yesterday for us all at the Jaquith Library.
It was such fun to see soo many happy faces as children and parents opened their Literacy Packets – what beautiful gifts!After you left, one mother came to me and said, “Doesn’t it make your heart feel good to have
something like this happen?”  This is a mother who consciously comes to the library with her kids, and also a family who I know needs the lunch program on Wednesdays.  I gave the last book to a little boy who was leaving the Food Shelf with his mother. As the child climbed into his car seat I heard him say, “I got a BOOK!”
You have brought to our attention that we, as a library, should make an effort to reach out to families who visit the Food Shelf on Wednesdays. Literacy and hunger – food for the body and food for the soul.

Thank you as always for your support which allows us to create solutions in the areas of Education, Income and Health for all ages.  Through your belief in us, we are able to demonstrate the true purpose of living united.

Warmest regards,
Tawnya

GMUW Central VT Office is Moving

Please take note:  We’ve moved!!

To make it easier for people to find us and for Green Mountain United Way to be more centrally located, we have decided to move our central VT office to 73 Main St., #33 in Montpelier on the second floor where the Central Vermont New Directions Coalition is also located.

Please bear with us as we make this move and get settled in.  We hope to be in and operating as usual by August 1st.  The new phone number there is 802-613-3989.  Our former phone number in Barre (622-8056) will continue for a while with just a forwarding message.  However, you will be able to reach us by email at anytime at info@gmunitedway.org.

Stop by for a visit!

GMUW Plans for Campaign Kickoff

 
It’s once again approaching time for a new campaign kickoff.  Mark your calendars for Sept. 20, 2016 at The Steak House on the Barre-Montpelier Road for a great breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m.

Final plans for that morning’s agenda are not yet complete, but we will be having some fantastic guest speakers, awards, and a live remote broadcast by WDEV Radio Vermont, not to mention an energized   atmosphere of enthusiasm for a successful campaign over the next few months.

Watch for invitations that will be going out within the next few weeks and plan to attend.  It’s always a great way to start the day and the annual campaign.

GMUW Holds Budgeting Workshop for BAART

Green Mountain United Way continues its efforts to present Financial Literacy Workshops within its service area.  We are in the process of branding our presentations so that they are consistent regardless of where we go and who is delivering the information.

On July 26, 2016, GMUW presented a workshop on “Budgeting” to the staff and participants at BAART in St. Johnsbury. Also present were staff members from the Vermont Department of Health.  BAART stands for Bay Area Addiction Research Treatment, which is where the treatment centers across the country began.  In our region BAART has facilities in both St. Johnsbury and Newport.  Read more…

GMUW Participating in FEED Leadership Program

GMUW is proud to be a key member of the Cal-Essex Accountable Health Community team which is committed to working collectively towards improving the health and well-being of the people in Caledonia and southern Essex Counties with emphasis on reducing poverty in our region.  As a member of CAHC, GMUW Executive Director Tawnya Kristen has been asked to participate in the FEED Leadership Program through Feeding America and The Annie E. Casey Foundation.  This 15-month leadership program is designed to accelerate improved outcomes for communities working to improve outcomes for families with children through a collective impact model.  Read more…

Have You Signed Up Yet?

GolferAugust 13, 2016 is not far away and if you haven’t registered for the 12th Annual UPS Golf Classic for the benefit of Green Mountain United Way, there still is time.

This tournament is being held at the St. Johnsbury Country Club at 4357 Memorial Dr. in St. Johnsbury on Aug. 13th with on-site registration starting at 11:30 am and a shotgun start at 1 pm.  Advance registration is recommended but not absolutely necessary.

The fee of $125 per golfer or $500 per team of 4 includes greens fees, two carts per team, registration gifts and a chicken and ribs dinner at the end of play. Read more…

GMUW’s Tatum’s Totes Program Benefits from the Monday Girls

QuiltersRecently, the Monday Girls, a group of the North Country Quilters in Orleans County, heard about the Tatum’s Totes Program for foster children and were impressed with its mission.  They immediately decided to donate some quilts for children moving into foster care.

Tatum’s Totes is a statewide program that provides backpacks of essential items for foster children and teens who many times arrive at foster homes with just the clothes on their backs.  The backpacks are filled with age and gender appropriate items such as basic clothing, hygiene items, a fuzzy blanket and stuffed animal, activity and reading books and a game.  Read more…

Tip of the Month

Smoking is a deadly habit that is difficult to break and, unfortunately, the number of people who still smoke in our country is still too high.  Anything we can do to encourage them to quit is worth the effort.  The following is a brief comparison of the cost of smoking vs. amount of money that can be saved:

Assuming a one pack-a-day habit at $7.00 per pack, the smoker spends about $2,555 per year on cigarettes.  That $2,555 times 45 years = $114,975!

If that same smoker decided to take that money saved and placed it in a CD that averages 1.5% interest, after 45 years the CD would be worth $162,534.

Or, if the smoker invested that money in mutual funds that had an annual average return of 6%, after 45 years the investment would be worth $543,559!!

These estimates assume, of course, that cigarette prices do not increase in those 45 years.  The cost of smoking shown here does not include the higher cost of insurance and potential medical expenses.

Tip of the month?  If you smoke, please try quitting and save that money you spend every day on cigarettes.  There are programs in your community to help you achieve that goal.  If you do not smoke, don’t start.  Your health will benefit and so will your pocketbook.

Community Forums and Events

 

August 13, 2016: 12th Annual UPS Golf Classic for benefit of GMUW at St. Johnsbury Country Club.
September 20, 2016: GMUW Annual Campaign Kickoff at The Steak House on the Barre-Montpelier Rd. starting at 7:30 a.m.
November 19, 2016: Green Mountain CrossFit Lift UP!  Weightlifting Competition to Benefit GMUW.  More details will be provided in a future issue of this e-news.

 

 

Green Mountain United Way · 1 Conti Circle, Unit 3 · Barre, VT 05641-9604 · USA

Read More

Summer Volunteer Crew is Underway

Timothy Barre Leave a comment

Cross Vermont Trail Association

Summer Volunteer Crew is Underway.
We’ll be working through August. Call/email for details  if you’d like to drop in.

 

Here’s the crew this week gathered at new smooth turnpiking which replaces a muddy/rocky section of trail.
The crew is continuing our multi-year effort to finish building the Telephone Line Trail in Groton State Forest, providing a significant new loop with the rail bed and providing connection with spur trails to wilderness ponds and rocky mountain summits – but not too difficcult, great family hikes or bike rides.

New section of Trail opening.
The new section of the East Montpelier Trail off of Cherry Tree Hill Rd is cleared and blazed. Together with EMTI we’ll  be putting on finishing touches into the Fall, and updating the trailhead map.

And thanks everyone for a great day at this year’s Central Vt Cycle Tour.  See you next year, always the last Sunday in June.  2016 CVCT photos from rider David Alden-St. Pierre.  (And while you’re there, check out his freestyle BMX page.)

Next up, Foliage Ride September 24!

 

Upcoming Calendar

August 1 – 23 * summer volunteer crews * drop in any day * call for details
Sept 18 * community trail volunteer day * Noon – 5 * call for details
Sept 24 * Fall Foliage Ride * meet 9:30 Kettle Pond, lunch provided * FREE
Oct 8 * community trail volunteer day * all (drop in any time) * call for details
More at crossvermont.org on hours, locations, and project details.

Just for fun . . . 
Scale model of the solar system is appearing along the railbed in Marshfield. More.

 

Greg
Cross Vermont Trail Association

You can always get more at www.crossvermont.org – about the trail, news, events and scheduled outings.

 

Copyright © 2016 Cross Vermont Trail Association, All rights reserved.

 

Read More

GMUW’s Tatum’s Totes Program Benefits from the Monday Girls

Phil Zunder Leave a comment

Recently, the Monday Girls, a group of the North Country Quilters in Orleans County, heard about the Tatum’s Totes Program for foster children and were impressed with its mission.  They immediately decided to donate some quilts for children moving into foster care.

Tatum’s Totes is a statewide program that provides backpacks of essential items for foster children and teens who many times arrive at foster homes with just the clothes on their backs.  The backpacks are filled with age and gender appropriate items such as basic clothing, hygiene items, a fuzzy blanket and stuffed animal, activity and reading books and a game.

In its five-county service area, Green Mountain United Way is the coordinator of this program and collaborates with the State of Vermont’s Dept. for Children and Families (DCF) to make sure they have the necessary backpacks needed.

Betsy McDonald of Derby Line, a member of the Monday Girls, earlier this month presented 13 beautiful handmade quilts to Tammy Lalime, Resource Coordinator for the Newport DCF office, to be given to foster kids.

For more information about the Tatum’s Totes Program and to see a list of items needed to fill backpacks, please visit www.gmunitedway.org/blog/green-mountain-united-way-leads-tatums-totes-effort/ or email any one of the GMUW offices in central Vermont at pbailey@gmunitedway.org, in St. Johnsbury at nbaker@gmunitedway.org, or in Derby Line at mroy@gmunitedway.org.

 

 

Read More

GMUW Participating in FEED Leadership Program

Phil Zunder Leave a comment

GMUW is proud to be a key member of the Cal-Essex Accountable Health Community team which is committed to working collectively towards improving the health and well-being of the people in Caledonia and southern Essex Counties with emphasis on reducing poverty in our region. As a member of CAHC, GMUW Executive Director Tawnya Kristen has been asked to participate in the FEED Leadership Program through Feeding America and The Annie E. Casey Foundation. This 15-month leadership program is designed to accelerate improved outcomes for communities working to improve outcomes for families with children through a collective impact model. The FEED Leadership Program will support teams with leadership skills necessary to move from talk to action to advance progress on a locally-identified result, including: Developing and executing an action plan with clearly identified strategies; addressing adaptive and technical leadership challenges that arise when managing the competing interests among diverse, cross-sector partners; building the capacity of leaders to use data for continuous improvement of action plan strategies; making mid-course corrections as the landscape shifts and new priorities emerge; and building the organizational and community capacity needed for sustaining results work over the long-term.

Read More