Vermont Business Magazine - The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Bank, announced today that it has awarded $5,000 to ReSOURCE, Easter Seals Vermont, and Camp Ta-Kum-Ta in South Hero.
ReSOURCE training programs combine classroom instruction and on-the-job training. ReSOURCE hosts three Workforce Development programs: Apprentice-style, YouthBuild, and Career Path. Apprentice-style training serves individuals who are ready to work, but need marketable job skills and credentials for their desired careers. Students learn Office Administration, Major Appliance Repair, Manufacturing Technology, or Retail Management & Customer Service. Career Path, offers manufacturing training to youth who are still in school, or have recently graduated from high school. YouthBuild is a high school completion program that trains youth in construction-trade skills while working to earn their high school diplomas. Students from all programs receive Personal & Professional Development classes, and industry recognized certifications.
Michael Seaver, far left, and Tom Longstreth with the ReSOURCE team.
“Many Vermonters rely on and benefit from ReSOURCE’s Workforce Development programs – YouthBuild, Apprentice-style, and our newest, Career Path – and the People’s United Community Foundation recognizes that,” said Tom Longstreth, Executive Director of ReSOURCE. “We are grateful for their support so that we can continue providing people in our community with marketable job skills.”
“ReSOURCE provides a critical service in Burlington, providing more than 250 enrollees with job training and certifications so that they can be successful,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President, People's United Bank, Vermont.
This funding will also support Easter Seals Vermont’s Military and Veterans Services program, which offers personalized care coordination and assistance to service members and veterans of all eras.
Utilizing emergency funds to cut through the red tape, the Military and Veterans Services program provides financial assistance and services when no other resource is available to veterans, service members and their families. Once the presenting emergency is addressed, Easter Seals works with the service members and veterans on their plans for self-sufficiency through financial education, workforce development and connecting individuals to eligible benefits and state or community resources.
“The Military and Veterans Services program is designed to offer a hand-up rather than a hand-out,” explains Mark Johnson, Vice President, Easter Seals Vermont. “We are grateful for People’s United Community Foundation’s support of our continued effort to provide critical and timely assistance to veterans, service members and their families in Vermont.”
“It is the mission of this important program to ensure the dignity and well-being of those who have served our country by being there for them in their hour of need,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President, People's United Bank, Vermont. “Easter Seals Vermont is filling a critical role in our communities by such services to more than 100 of our service members and veterans.”
Lastly, People's United Community Foundation once again awarded Vermont Camp, Ta-Kum-Ta, serving children with cancer. This brings the total to over $22,000 in 5 years. For more than two decades, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta has provided a safe, loving place where children who have cancer, or who are in remission, can play, swim, share and heal. The camp is offered year-round at no cost to families with children between the ages of seven and 17 who live in Vermont and Northern New York or receive treatment in those areas.
“Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is very appreciative to the People’s United Community Foundation for its continued support, which has made a significant impact in helping us to become a year-round camp for children and their families dealing with cancer,” said, Hattie Johnson, Executive Director at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
“We are pleased to partner with Camp Ta-Kum-Ta and its staff, as they provide cherished memories for children and their families,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and Vermont President, People's United Bank. “No child should miss out on the camp experience. I congratulate Hattie and her staff for the outstanding work they do.”
Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine through a network of more than 400 branches, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The Foundation places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the Foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.
Source: People's United Community Foundation, Burlington VT, July 13, 2016