Vermont Business Magazine On November 14, over 150 community members joined with Howard Center to celebrate Gretchen Morse as the 2018 Help is Here Award honoree. Now in its third year, the award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions personify the agency’s mission and demonstrate a passion for helping the people served by Howard Center. Past award recipients include Lisa Steele (2016) and Whit Smith (2017).
Gretchen was chosen for her long-time support of Howard Center through her work as Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, Executive Director of the United Way of Chittenden County, and in the Vermont House of Representatives. Her efforts have helped to improve the lives of Vermonters.
2016-2018 Help is Here Award Honorees Gretchen Morse, Lisa Steele, and Whit Smith. Howard photo.
Howard Center Board of Trustees president Michael Simoneau hosted the evening and the guest speakers included the Honorable Madeleine M. Kunin; James Leddy, former Howard Center Executive Director; Whit Smith, the 2017 Help is Here recipient; and Catherine Simonson and Grace Keller, Howard Center staff. Throughout the evening, speakers spoke of Gretchen’s fierce determination, her ability to use resources wisely, her indomitable spirit, and her belief in love and hope as the basis for bringing about positive change in our community.
Sponsors of the 2018 Help is Here Award celebration include Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group, University of Vermont Medical Center, Geri Reilly Real Estate, Four Winds Consulting, L. Brown & Sons, and W.B. Mason, with additional support from numerous local businesses.
Howard Center helps 16,000 people in over 60 locations and four counties each year with mental health, substance use, and developmental services. Howard Center’s 24/7/365 mobile crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County is available to meet the needs of Chittenden County children, adults, and families in crisis at 802-488-7777. Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Northwest Vermont. www.howardenter.org. Help is here.