Grantees

The Collaborative’s Resilience Through Understanding® (RTU) program is a community and school-based asset-building education series for students in grades 6-12 and their caring adults. There are currently 400 youth enrolled from 10 local schools and the homeschool community, with over 600 caring adults supporting them. The program addresses substance misuse and the physical, mental, and social well-being of youth by providing vetted programs, promoting community involvement, and offering a season pass from a local recreation sponsor as a healthy incentive. As agency is vital in promoting youth thriving, these funds will establish a Youth Advisory Board and a Caring Adult Advisory Board to guide the direction of future programming.

Spectrum’s Multicultural Youth Program (MYP) supports multicultural youth and families in northern Vermont by nurturing connections to the community, and giving youth knowledge, life skills, leadership opportunities, and encouragement for success. Nearly all MYP youth (91%) identify as BIPOC, including 52% who are English Language Learners. In 2025, MYP will engage at least 300 multicultural youth at their schools and in the community to build positive peer relationships; engage in recreation and enrichment programs that are safe and healthy; and receive support and guidance from staff they can relate to who share their language, culture, and experiences as newcomers to Vermont. This funding from VCTF will allow this critical work to continue.

To purchase musical instruments

Highgate Library and Community Center is creating a music garden for all ages to take part in and enjoy in the library backyard. This music garden will contain outdoor musical instrument equipment stations to encourage musical creativity and rhythm and sound education for children and families within the community of Highgate. It will develop and foster a love of music from a young age and will provide social connections for community members.

Mwangaza (means Light in Sawhili) Summer Program is designed for and by refugees and immigrants. This program's focus is female high school students who came as refugees from Africa. We want to create a safe and fun space for the students to talk and learn about important and sensitive subjects. Each week is a different topic on social emotional well-being, physical health, and personal growth. Experts will be invited to share with the group. For example, a licensed mental health provider for depression and anxiety, a primary care provider for adolescence health and hygiene. At the end of the program each participant will take home a back to school bag that has supplies to enhance their growth.

To purchase equipment to finish their playground renovation .

Like the Balch Nature School in St. Johnsbury, VT, they believe early experiences with nature sets a precedent for lifelong learning, well being, and the development of environmentally-conscientious individuals. They are proposing a nature-based program for preschoolers that would meet several times a week for several hours from spring until fall.

Free, nature-based playgroup programs give all children and families the opportunity to connect with each other and with nature. Currently, these programs reach approximately 200 people multiple times throughout each year via four weekly meet-ups in local communities. Our family-centered playgroups help families in the Lamoille Valley build social connections, gain child development skills, and learn how to access community resources. Together with our partner in this project, the Four Winds Nature Institute, we will offer a series of nature-based playgroups through three different seasons, providing informal education opportunities for families as we model the adult role and language supporting children’s nature-based play.