Grantees

PROSPER is an evidence based partnership model that facilitates the delivery of two evidence based programs that build strong families and help youth avoid risky behaviors. UVM Extension and Lyndon Town School along with community partners, will come together to implement strategies and programs that support needs identified in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey data by building protective factors through a strengths based approach. We will continue to strengthen this PROSPER site in the Northeast Kingdom, adding new facilitators and building sustainability, supporting youth and families in having the skills they need to thrive.

Vermont Family Network (VFN) empowers and supports all Vermont families of children with special needs. Puppets in Education (PiE) was a stand-alone nonprofit until 2017, when it merged with VFN. Utilizing life-sized puppets, PiE teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other’s differences through educational programs for pre-K–8 students and their adults. Our programs model effective leadership and problem-solving skills and demonstrate respect and inclusion in a diverse community. For over 38 years, PiE has reached 10,000 children a year in schools throughout VT, promoting empathy and kindness for all while educating students in strategies to break the cycles of abuse, bullying, and harassment.

Vermont Family Network (VFN) empowers and supports all Vermont families of children with special needs. Puppets in Education (PiE) was a stand-alone nonprofit until 2017, when it merged with VFN. Using life-sized puppets, PiE teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other’s differences through educational programs for pre-K–8 students and their adults. Our programs model effective leadership and problem-solving skills and demonstrate respect and inclusion in all communities. For over 40 years, PiE has reached 10,000 children annually in Vermont schools. We promote empathy and kindness while educating students about strategies that break the cycles of abuse, bullying and harassment.

Through this year-long pilot program, Safeline’s Youth Advocate will deliver direct outreach to eight school, library, and youth group sites in Orange and Windsor counties, reaching 204 students grades pre-K through high school with programming on developing healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent. They will also provide targeted resources to help teachers and librarians discuss healthy relationships as well as sensitive issues concerning domestic, sexual, and teen dating violence so that they can respond to students in need.

Second Growth Summer Camp is a multi-faceted program for local middle-school children that provides prevention education and enrichment curriculum wrapped in activities and adventures. Registration is free thanks to funding from Vermont Children's Trust Foundation and other generous donors, thereby eliminating barriers to entry for low- and moderate-income families. Each year, Second Growth enhances our curriculum to include new research and improve efficacy. Our long-standing summer programs are designed to provide social-emotional learning, prevention education, develop leadership skills, and offer other enrichment through activities, group discussion, and experiential learning activities based in arts, athletics, and fun in the sun!

Second Growth provides counseling, youth programs, prevention education, and recovery supports for youth and families in our community. They provide free registration to middle school students who wish to attend Camp, thereby eliminating barriers to entry for low- and moderate-income families. Their long-standing summer programs are designed to provide social-emotional learning, prevention education, develop leadership skills, and offer other enrichment through experiential learning activities. Each year they update the curriculum to include new research, best practices, and improve efficacy. In recent years they have expanded into new towns and offered additional weeks in order to reach a broader audience.

MoonRise Therapeutics (MRT) is a farm-based nonprofit dedicated to healing emotional and psychological trauma and promoting mental health in the Upper Valley of Vermont. MRT brings together children, families, and adults in need with highly skilled clinical professionals and a herd of well-loved horses. This practice of integrating horses into mental health work creates a uniquely effective setting for healing and growth. As a member of Mt. Ascutney Hospital’s Strengthening Families workgroup, MRT requests funding for regional programs to support their Circle of Security trainings and Play Groups. Circle of Security enhances caregivers’ social connection, resulting in stronger, more secure attachments for children and families.

Conflict resolution program in Winooski.