Grantees

Addison Central Teens (ACT) provides teens ages 12-18 with healthy meals, adult mentorship, and low-to-no-cost recreation and life skills programs, while connecting them with the necessary resources to help them thrive. We are committed to creating a space where all youth are heard, feel safe, and have autonomy, especially those most marginalized. We are open year-round for services ranging from after-school drop-in hours to summer camp. ACT is expanding their flagship drop-in program to give teens agency and a chance to innovate in the wake of the pandemic through STEAM-based workshops, community service, and civic engagement opportunities. Teens will be empowered to create a community where they feel valued and want to live.

Changing Perspectives engages students in open dialogue and real world experiences in an effort to promote disability awareness and foster inclusive communities. We provide schools with disability awareness programing; through a combination of curriculum development and teacher trainings. We serve students and teachers in elementary and middle schools throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. With roughly 15% of Vermont students labeled with a disability, our schools are asked to meet the needs of an ever more diverse population. To promote awareness and empathy amongst students we must provide teachers with proactive solutions to address disability awareness.

This program will implement a standardized, comprehensive and replicable technology program into preschools which is intended to provide teachers and center staff with the necessary skills to help students develop strong social and comprehension skills.

The Boys and Girls Club of Brattleboro (BGCB) is expanding College and Career Support Programming to include new partnerships, offer new components, and serve more youth in our region. Our plans for this programming during the 2024/2025 school year include: 1) Eight College Visit Field Trips 2) Ten College and Career Prep Workshops 3) Afterschool college and career prep tutoring with professional mentors Together, these programs will engage community partners to provide youth with the guidance and encouragement they need to pursue higher education and make informed decisions about their futures. BGCB College and Career Support Programs are operated free of charge with the core purpose of helping youth achieve their potential.

Changing Perspectives engages preK-12 students in open dialogue and real-world experiences to promote disability awareness and foster inclusive communities. We accomplish our mission through a combination of curricular materials and educator professional development opportunities. About 20% of Vermont students receive school-based support for a disability through an IEP or 504 plan. Changing Perspectives assists educators in proactively addressing awareness of disability as another dimension of diversity in their schools. In doing so, our programs support schools in fostering social-emotional competence among all learners.

Through in-school and after school enrichment classes, WonderArts provides direct programming to over 500 children in a tiny corner of Vermont’s rural Northeast Kingdom. We support the physical, social, and emotional development of local youth by offering outlets for self-expression, exposure to new activities, and opportunities for development of creative skill sets. In an area where resources are limited, WonderArts collaborates with schools, community organizations, and local teaching artists to create meaningful experiences and guide our children and young people in achieving their true potential. WonderArts seeks support from VCTF to continue building vibrant, safe, and resilient communities around our valued youth and their families.

HatchSpace is expanding their Youth Design+Build Camps by piloting a new Woodworking Intensive camp for young people. During the summer of 2026, HatchSpace will offer five grant funded Youth Design+Build Camps, including their new Intensive Camp, two sessions of our Skateboard Build Camp, and two sessions of our Rosie’s Girls Camp. All of these programs expand youth engagement opportunities for learning trades skills in southern Vermont. Outcomes of these programs include exposure to career skills as young people build confidence, relationships, and projects with wood and tools. A total of 50 young people will participate in these camps during the grant period, with recruitment supported by community outreach and existing partnerships.

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is essential. The professional development of those providing this care is equally important. The Springfield Area Parent Child Center is opening a 150 seat training center that will provide ECE and other essential training opportunities such as child First Aid/CPR.