Grantees

The Big Buddy fitness initiative program willhelp foster positive attitudes toward health and fitness and encourage healthy habits and decisions.

In the middle of Morrisville sits a small, but mighty school that boasts fields with majestic views and quiet serenity. Throughout the seasons, you'll find students playing soccer, lacrosse, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Athletics is a vital part of the school's mission. Currently, we only have used Winter equipment for our 6th-8th graders. We'd like to see students start earlier in our Winter programs by the 3rd. grade. We are providing cross country ski equipment (skis,bindings,shoes,and poles) and snowshoes. It's so vital for children to get outside and be healthy all year long!

The Children’s Room is a free playspace for families and caretakers with small children, based at Brookside Primary School in Waterbury and open to all families in Central Vermont and beyond. Now celebrating its 40th year, The Children’s Room has long been a mainstay of the Central Vermont community. As we crest this milestone, it is time to update our playspace and programming. Our indoor play structure and dramatic play area have been in use for many years, and we are seeking new equipment to replace these outdated pieces. Newer equipment will provide greater safety, meet higher health standards in materials, and provide children with more options for dynamic, engaging play. Parents and caretakers will also appreciate improved and safer equipment, increasing their comfort and engagement in play with their children.

TC’s Refuse to Use (RTU) Program is a community & school based series of educational substance misuse & asset building events for scholars in grades 6-12. RTU is available to 8 schools & homeschoolers. Scholars learn about health risks associated with substance misuse & asset building skills like resilience, stigma reduction, & coping skills. Attend 5 lessons and scholars receive a season pass from local community recreation partners. This program addresses the physical, mental, & social well-being of young people by delivering vetted programs, cultivating community involvement & providing a season pass as a healthy alternative. This year by increasing programs and accessibility, our focus will create a community of preventionists.

Camp DREAM operates during the summer in Fletcher, VT. We provide youth ages 8-18 with an opportunity to experience summer camp at no cost to them. A new program we will debut in summer 2018 is our Teen Trail Crew. This team will consist of a small group of juniors and seniors who will be paid over the summer to clear trails, build small structures, and help maintain the property (including working in our organic garden), all while building skills and teamwork. Reliable hand tools will give new opportunities and abilities to our Trail Crew as they work to improve Camp DREAM for the benefit of themselves, the property, and current and future campers.

Expand capacity to serve fresh produce in snacks and meals and engage children and families in gardening and healthy eating practices.

A teen center in Cabot called "The Hop"

To provide educational, parenting, life skills, and employment readiness skills and curricula to the growing population of pregnant and parenting teens within Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. The high school diploma or equivalent, employment or higher education preparation, and parenting/life skills knowledge gained by participants thorugh programming will continue to improve the independence of young families and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect as well as the family's dependence on State assistance.