Vermont Business Magazine ThePeople’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, has announced that it has awarded $5,000 to the Intervale Center; $7,500 to Vermont Works for Women in Winooski;$10,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services; and$10,000 to the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) of Burlington..
The Intervale Center, which manages over 350 acres of farm fields, wetlands, trails and wildlife corridors, is home to 12 independent farm enterprises employing around 60 people and grossing more than $1.2 million in sales of fresh foods each year. Through the Center’s agricultural development programs, the staff work with 80 farms throughout Vermont each year, strengthening their economic, social and environmental impact.
“The Intervale Center is one of our hidden treasures in Vermont,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President of People's United Bank in Vermont. “More and more Vermonters are enjoying the increased access to farm fresh foods that the Center provides.”
The award brings the total giving by the People’s United Community Foundation to the organization to over $22,000.
“This donation from People’s United Community Foundation will help us provide excellent business planning services to Vermont’s farmers, strengthen Vermont’s local agricultural economy and increase access to locally grown food in our community,” said Intervale Center Executive Director, Travis Marcotte.
ThePeople’s United Community Foundation has once again awarded $7,500 to Vermont Works for Women in Winooski. This brings the total grant amount from People’s United Community Foundation to $36,000.
Vermont Works for Women (VWW) helps women and girls recognize their potential, and explore, pursue and excel in work that leads to economic independence. The grant from People’s United Community Foundation will support VWW’s Step In to Work program (formerly called Transitional Jobs) in Chittenden County, which helps adult women with employment barriers, those transitioning from public assistance, and those released from incarceration to find stable, permanent employment. The holistic, work-readiness program is designed to provide professional soft-skills training, paid work experiences, portfolio preparation, job coaching, connections to potential employers, and post-program support – all customized to each woman’s unique needs and accessible to participants on a rolling admissions basis.
“Our deepest thanks to the People’s United Community Foundation, an essential partner in ensuring that the most vulnerable women in our community are receiving thedeep skill-building and practical work experiences they need to prepare them for meaningful, livable-wage employment,” said Marybeth Christie Redmond, director of development and communications, Vermont Works for Women. “We are ever-grateful to People’s for its ongoing investment in our work, which strengthens the Vermont economy ultimately.”
“Vermont Works for Women provides a critical service to women who face significant barriers to employment,” Michael Seaver said. “The Step In to Work program is changing the course of many women’s lives and the lives of their children. We are pleased to be able to support their work.”
ThePeople’s United Community Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services.
Spectrum provides support services to address the immediate, critical needs of at-risk, homeless, and foster youth. Programs include a daytime Drop-In Center, emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, and other services thatfocus on education and job training to ensure youth stay off the streets permanently.
The funding from People’s United Community Foundationwill support the Youth One-Stop program, which provides 1,500 homeless and at-risk youth in Chittenden and Franklin counties, ages 14 to 22, with basic needs, housing, mentoring, and connections to community resources.
The grant brings the total amount awarded by People’s United Community Foundation to Spectrum to $60,000.
“We are extremely grateful to the People’s United Community Foundation for their support,” said Mark Redmond, Executive Director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services. “Federal funding for all nonprofit programs has been on the decline for many years, yet teens and young adults still need our help. In order to meet this demand, we depend on organizations like People’s United.”
“Spectrum provides an invaluable service for youth in our community,” Seaver said.
“We are pleased to be a part of Spectrum’s efforts to provide a promising future for Vermont’s homeless youth.”
ThePeople’s United Community Foundationhas awarded $10,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services.
Spectrum provides support services to address the immediate, critical needs of at-risk, homeless, and foster youth. Programs include a daytime Drop-In Center, emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, and other services thatfocus on education and job training to ensure youth stay off the streets permanently.
The funding from People’s United Community Foundationwill support the Youth One-Stop program, which provides 1,500 homeless and at-risk youth in Chittenden and Franklin counties, ages 14 to 22, with basic needs, housing, mentoring, and connections to community resources.
The grant brings the total amount awarded by People’s United Community Foundation to Spectrum to $60,000.
“We are extremely grateful to the People’s United Community Foundation for their support,” said Mark Redmond, Executive Director of Spectrum Youth and Family Services. “Federal funding for all nonprofit programs has been on the decline for many years, yet teens and young adults still need our help. In order to meet this demand, we depend on organizations like People’s United.”
“Spectrum provides an invaluable service for youth in our community,” said Michael Seaver, Officer of People’s United Community Foundation and Vermont President, People's United Bank.
“We are pleased to be a part of Spectrum’s efforts to provide a promising future for Vermont’s homeless youth.”
The People’s United Community Foundation has announced that it has awarded $10,000 to the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) of Burlington.
Focusing on long-term solutions to end homelessness, COTS offers prevention assistance, support services, and transitional and permanent housing for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. As the largest homeless service provider in Vermont, COTS also operates both of Chittenden County’s only family shelters.
The grant from People’s United Community Foundation will support the organization’s Housing Resource Center (HRC), which assists those at risk of losing their existing homes due to unforeseen circumstances. The center also helps residents who are without permanent shelter to move more rapidly into stable housing.
The funding brings the total grant amount awarded by People’s United Community Foundation to COTS to $44,000.
“COTS is incredibly grateful to People’s United Community Foundation for its generous support of our Housing Resource Center,” said Rita Markley, COTS Executive Director. “We have helped many Vermont families who would have otherwise become homeless without the prevention and outreach services funded by the foundation.”
“We are pleased to partner with COTS in its efforts to reduce homelessness,” said Michael Seaver, Officer, People’s United Community Foundation and President, People's United Bank, Vermont. “Just one unforeseen event, such as a job loss, can cause foreclosure or the inability to pay for food or heat. By supporting COTS, we hope to provide stability for low-income individuals and families in Vermont.”
Established in 2007, People’s United Community Foundation was formed to help support programs and activities that enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities that People’s United Bank serves. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842 and serving customers from New York to Maine through a network of 400 branches, is the largest independent bank headquartered in New England. The Foundation places special emphasis on programs designed to promote economic self-sufficiency, education and improved conditions for low-income families and neighborhoods. The funding priorities of the Foundation include community development, youth development, and affordable housing.