Vermont Business Magazine The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) has received an $18,000 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Innovations and Collaborations grant program. This grant will help further CVOEO’s mission by supporting the Financial Empowerment for New Americans Project. Jan Demers, Executive Director of CVOEO said, “In these uncertain times for our New American neighbors, we’re grateful for this funding support, and we’re committed to continuing to scale up our services to ensure that all Vermonters have opportunities for bright financial futures.”
This project will help increase the organization’s capacity to provide interpreted classes in convenient site locations identified by participants; develop interpretation and translated material for ongoing one-on-one financial coaching services; host financial house parties with Somali women; and hold the Second Annual Financial Wellness Day for New Americans in collaboration with more than 20 partners.
In keeping with the VCF’s Innovation and Collaborations Grant Program, CVOEO’s Financial Futures Program will partner with Burlington School District’s Parent University, the Vermont Family Network, the Islamic Society of Vermont and the City of Winooski to carry out this project. Further, innovation takes several forms: moving from the concept of classes to parties that are responsive to what attendees want to learn and provide built-in opportunities for saving towards goals, a multi-generational approach through the family-friendly Financial Wellness Day with hands-on learning for all ages, and working with those who are already trusted and respected members of the community.
ABOUT CVOEO
The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1965 to carry out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in Vermont’s northwest counties of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle. It is one of five Community Action Agencies in Vermont.
We bridge gaps and build futures. That is, we provide individuals and families with the basic needs of food, fuel and housing support in times of crisis, and we help them acquire the necessary education, financial skills and assets to build a stable future in which they thrive.
CVOEO provides vital services to over 10,000 households (over 23,000 individuals) every year. Three Coordinated Statewide Housing Services (the Fair Housing Project, the Mobile Home Program, and Vermont Tenants) serve residents statewide. The agency employs a dedicated staff of approximately 145 employees and engages more than 1,100 volunteers annually, working out of approximately 18 locations in addition to Head Start classrooms throughout the Champlain Valley region.
Source: Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity 7.6.2017