Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Creamery is proud to announce a partnership with Green Mountain United Way, introducing the Working Bridges program to all 100 employees at its Websterville, Vermont facility. This initiative delivers crucial support services directly to employees on-site, fostering personal growth and overall well-being while enhancing workplace satisfaction and productivity.
"At Vermont Creamery, we believe in empowering our workforce holistically, beyond just the workplace. Our collaboration with Green Mountain United Way reflects this commitment, as we invest in our team's future, well-being, and the resilience of our community," stated Harry Kahn, General Manager of Vermont Creamery. “We are happy to stand alongside Green Mountain United Way in fostering a more resilient and prosperous Vermont."
Resource Coordinators from Green Mountain United Way will be present at Vermont Creamery on a regular basis, offering confidential assistance with various aspects of employees' lives; these coordinators will also be accessible through email, phone, and text outside of working hours.
Working Bridges Resource Coordinator Michelle Clark, one of two representatives who will be onsite at the Creamery, said, “I am excited to start building relationships at Vermont Creamery to support people and their success in the workplace.”
The Working Bridges program aims to support employees who may face resource constraints, such as financial hardships, time limitations, or family responsibilities. By meeting employees at their workplace, the program helps individuals and families in Vermont achieve financial stability, saving them valuable time and energy while connecting them to essential resources.
Resource Coordinator Blaire Haggett, the second Working Bridges representative, recognizes the time constraints many workers face. "People working in manufacturing often do not have time to attend to matters outside their work schedule. They might have a 15-minute break, but that's not enough time to take care of fuel assistance."
As we approach the holiday season, with some workers transitioning to 12-hour shifts, Resource Coordinators can work on finding solutions on behalf of their clients, easing workers' stress and enabling them to access resources more efficiently.
Resource challenges can significantly impact job performance, leading to decreased productivity, absenteeism, job dissatisfaction, and potential job loss—affecting both employees and employers negatively.
"We are excited to provide our employees with access to the Green Mountain United Way and the Working Bridges program,” said Elysse Parente, People and Culture Manager at Vermont Creamery. “Our team is more than just a workforce; they are the heart and soul of our organization. Through this partnership, we are nurturing a stronger, more resilient Vermont Creamery family, and I eagerly anticipate the positive impact this program will have on our employees' lives."
Julia Davis, Community Impact Director at Green Mountain United Way, expressed her excitement about Vermont Creamery's commitment to its workforce, saying, "You can really feel the concern for their workforce, based on a genuine connection with the people who work there and an eagerness to make it a better place to work."
Vermont Creamery joins the ranks of the 29th Working Bridges site in northern Vermont, alongside organizations like Darn Tough, Rhino Foods, Central Vermont Medical Center, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, among others.
Working Bridges, in partnership with United Way Northwest, has been operating since 2017 and has served 30 employers across six industries. Green Mountain United Way currently manages 11 worksite programs in central and northeastern Vermont, assisting approximately 130 employees each quarter. The program's funding is derived from private philanthropic contributions, grants, and fee-for-service payments from employers.
In central Vermont, during the fourth quarter of 2022, the most requested services included assistance with accessing food, income advance loans, financial coaching, and support with student loans. In northeastern Vermont during the same period, the top requests were income advance loans, financial coaching, food access, and one-time grants from Green Mountain United Way's 185 Fund, offering support to working families who do not qualify for traditional social service benefits.
About Vermont Creamery
Founded in 1984 and B Corp certified since 2014, Vermont Creamery is a pioneer of consciously crafted artisan cheese, winning countless national and international awards for its suite of cheeses and cultured dairy products over the four decades since its founding. Ranked in June 2021 in the top 10% of most purposeful brands, according to the 2021 Purpose Power Index, Vermont Creamery is dedicated to supporting its network of family farms and promoting sustainable agriculture in New England. Vermont Creamery is an independently operated subsidiary of Minnesota-based member-owned cooperative Land O’Lakes, Inc. For more information, visit https://www.vermontcreamery.com.
About the Working Bridges Program: Working Bridges™ is a partnership between Green Mountain United Way and employers focused on giving employees the resources they need to gain, keep, and grow in stable employment. We do this by bringing human services support directly to the employee onsite at the workplace. This support includes confidential, one-on-one resource coordination, income advance loans, classes or workshops, and connection to tax preparation resources.
About Green Mountain United Way: Green Mountain United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community within Caledonia, Essex, Orange, Orleans, and Washington counties. With a staff of 7 and many volunteers, the nonprofit organization partners with human service agencies, government, businesses, private foundations, and dedicated volunteers to mobilize the caring power of communities around our region to advance the common good.
Source: WEBSTERVILLE, VT., September 21, 2023 – Vermont Creamery
