17 organizations get grants for substance misuse prevention efforts in Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Washington Counties
Vermont Business Magazine United Way of Northwest Vermont has announced $647,000 in subgrants to 17 organizations to support substance misuse prevention efforts in the Burlington, St. Albans, and Barre Health Districts.
The funding comes from the State of Vermont, Department of Health Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU), and is part of the state’s relatively new framework for regional funding to advance a statewide system of substance misuse prevention.
United Way is one of four Lead Prevention Organizations selected by DSU to lead regional strategies for substance misuse prevention and subgrant funds to community prevention partners. Funding applications were reviewed by a Funding Committee made up of local professionals representing diverse sectors including health care, designated mental health and substance misuse agencies, and regional planning commissions.
The Funding Committee was charged with reviewing applications and selecting a portfolio of subgrants that advance substance misuse prevention in alignment with regional priorities and a balance across the region.
“It is incredibly heartening to see so many local people doing vital substance misuse prevention work in our region, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized populations. I want to thank everyone who took the time to showcase the good work happening in our community. We are grateful to the Funding Committee for their hard work selecting a funding portfolio from so many outstanding applications – it was no easy task,” said United Way Prevention Network Manager Mahat Abdullahi.
The Funding Committee reviewed 41 applications, totaling nearly three times the available funds. Priority was given to proposals that address one or more of the following priority areas:
- Programs, services, or activities that support youth, young adults, and/or older adults.
- Programs, services, or activities that address the needs of priority populations including: people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color; people who identify as LBGTQIA+; people with limited financial means; refugees, immigrants and people with limited English proficiency; individuals with disabilities; veterans; people living in rural areas; and people who are or have experienced being unhoused.
- Program, services, or activities that are expected to have a direct impact on at least one of four levels of the Vermont Prevention Model.
This round of funding is for July 2025-June 2026 and with intentions to continue the funding over the next three years through an annual continuation process.
See a full list of subgrants below. To learn more and get involved in regional substance misuse prevention efforts, visit www.preventionnetworknwvt.org.
|
Program/Organization |
Project Description |
Health District(s) Served |
|
BIPOC Youth Mentorship Program |
BIPOC Youth Mentorship Program |
Burlington |
|
Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community |
Community-Level Prevention Strategies in Burlington |
Burlington |
|
Community Empowering Youth: The Café |
The Café is a youth center in Enosburg Falls that serves youth in grades 6-12. |
St. Albans |
|
Education Justice Coalition |
Supporting BIPOC Youth with Leadership Development and Connection |
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Georgia Public Library |
“Here I Belong,” offering opportunities for connection, social networking and mutual support within the LGBTQIA+ youth |
Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Good Samaritan Haven |
From Crisis to Community: Embedding Recovery in Homeless Services |
Barre |
|
King Street Center |
Building Resilience in Youth Ages 11-14 & their Families through Empowerment & Prevention
|
Burlington |
|
Mad River Mentoring |
Mad River Mentoring Program Expansion |
Barre |
|
Prevent Child Abuse VT |
Supporting Parents in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery |
Barre, Burlington, and St. Albans
|
|
Pride Center of Vermont |
2STLGBQIA+ Substance Use Prevention Project |
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Project All Together Now VT |
Project All Together Now Youth Led Prevention Programming |
Burlington |
|
Richard Kemp Center |
Expansion of Current Richard Kemp Center initiatives, education tools, prevention efforts, and community wellness efforts by incorporating ongoing and new activities. |
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Twinfield Together Mentoring |
Middle School Clubs and Wellness |
Barre |
|
United Immigrant & Refugee Community of Vermont |
Resilient Futures: A Refugee-Led Approach to Substance Misuse Prevention and Wellness |
Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Up For Learning |
Supporting Getting to ‘Y’ (GTY) Teams in Region 1 Middle and High Schools |
Barre, Burlington, St. Albans |
|
Winooski Partnership for Prevention |
Centering community-identified priorities in SUDs prevention |
Burlington |
|
Youth First Mentoring |
Deepening mentoring's protective factors: cultural competency and youth voice in Barre and beyond |
Barre |
About United Way of Northwest Vermont
United Way of Northwest Vermont mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive. A local independent nonprofit proudly serving Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle Counties, we bring local people and resources together to improve lives today and help build a more just tomorrow. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaynwvt.org.
6.11.2025. [South Burlington, VT] — United Way of Northwest Vermont
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