Vermont Business Magazine As the enormity of the impact of COVID-19 has become clear, Vermonters across the state are stepping forward to support their neighbors, connecting those in need with those that can help. Community response teams and mutual aid networks are emerging across Vermont to recruit willing volunteers and connect them with neighbors who are looking for help. Volunteer efforts include grocery and medicine delivery, accessing key benefits and resources, phone trees to check in on vulnerable neighbors, technology support, pet care, and more.
A Community Response Coordinating Team has formed to facilitate communication between community response and mutual aid groups, to share tools and best practices, and to compile and connect to regional and statewide resources. The Community Response Coordinating Team includes the staff of the Vermont Council on Rural Development; Katherine Sims, NEK Collaborative (Northeast Kingdom); Mindy Blank, Community Resilience Organizations (South Royalton Area); Rebecca Sanborn Stone, Community Workshop (White River Valley); Monique Priestley, Space on Main (Bradford and Northern Upper Valley); and Emily Ahtunan, Montpelier Mutual Aid (Central Vermont).
VCRD and the Community Response Coordinating Team invite individuals and community groups around the state to join the growing network of grassroots leaders that are stepping forward in their communities. The Team is also offering to provide direct technical assistance for those initiating and supporting efforts in their community. Visit www.vtrural.org/covid19 to contact the Coordinating Team for support or to find key resources including:
- a Toolkit and Resource List for Establishing Local COVID-19 Mutual Aid Efforts,
- a growing directory of community organizers across the state,
- information on regular online convenings for these leaders to foster collaboration and information sharing, and
- a short form to request technical support, to offer it to others, or to be added to our email list specifically for COVID-19 community resources and convenings.
Jenna Koloski, Community and Policy Manager at the Vermont Council on Rural Development says, “At VCRD we are heartened by the outpouring of support and the dedication we are seeing as Vermonters step forward to ensure that their community is safe, healthy, and taken care of during this challenging time. We are eager to support these efforts in any way we can and encourage community leaders to reach out for support or resource connection as they organize in their towns and regions.”
Monique Priestley is a member of the Coordinating Team and a key leader in the coordination of Bradford Resilience, a local group formed to coordinate mutual aid efforts and align local, regional, and state resources for residents in Bradford and surrounding towns. Monique says, “during these uncertain times, people need to know that the leaders in their lives are doing something to confront the challenges coming to their doorsteps. As Vermonters, we have the unique benefit of constantly having to rely on our neighbors, whether right next door, or in the next town over. Watching Bradford residents and citizens statewide step up to the charge has been inspiring and though none of us can know what comes next, we'll get through it if we can rely on and support one another. But we all need to step up.”
Community members and leaders across Vermont are quickly developing the tools and strategies to make sure that all community members have what they need during this time. Community organizers are encouraged to reach out to VCRD and the Community Response Coordinating team with questions or for support by visiting https://www.vtrural.org/covid19 or emailing [email protected].
Source: Vermont Council on Rural Development 4.3.2020