Grantees

Expland their licensed early care and learning program for the infants and toddlers of young mothers in Families Learning Together from eight to sixteen in Fall 2010. They week funds to purchase the basic equipment needed for this expansion.

Good Beginnings parent/caregiver circles bring families together to support each other in the unique-but-shared experience of parenting an infant. Anyone caring for an infant is welcome. Each circle is a welcoming, judgment-free space where new parents and caregivers can speak openly and honestly about the challenges and triumphs of the parenting experience, gain support, and build community. Weekend and weekday options help connect new moms and dads alike to a network of peer support that can make the difference during the first few months. Each circle is facilitated by a local parent with support from Good Beginnings staff. Food, drink, and age-appropriate children’s activities and/or child care are provided.

To assist in their expansion plans of the preschool.

The Teen Center is a nonprofit located in Middlebury, VT. Our mission is to offer space, programming and resources that support teen development and well-being. We offer after school drop-in, enrichment programs, and summer camp to youth ages 12-18. All programs are free or pay-what-you-can. With this grant, we will create an internship program for youth ages 14-18 who staff identify as 'at-risk' in terms of high school completion and/or employability. Accepted youth will be offered a paid internship which will blend job training, social-emotional learning, and academic support. We will work with them to identify strengths and areas for improvement in a supportive environment, and help them set and achieve academic and employment goals.

To support the continued development and enhancement of hands-on, open-ended exploraions for 3-6 year olds at Quarry Hill School.

The Sharon Academy will provide presentations and facilitated discussions on high-interest topics for youth, families, and community members. The primary goal of this project is to build community through connection, shared resources, and learning, and to provide education and support in optimizing the social and emotional development of our adolescents.

Families First is an innovative and exciting program based in rural Vermont that supports local children and families. The guiding principles of Families First will be Advocacy, Building Community and Cultivating Citizenship. The goal is to develop and support the whole family. This program will provide families with therapeutic support, connections with local resources and community agencies, education in the area of child development, provision of practical strategies and exploration of educational and employment opportunities in our region. This program will be based out of a not for profit childcare center located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Families First will support and nurture families in and around this region.