People's United Community Foundation awards a combined $25,500 to four community programs

People’ s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’ s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded a combined $25,500 to four community development programs in Vermont.
The foundation awarded $10,000 to Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. (CVOEO), $10,000 to King Street Center in Burlington, $3,000 to Special Olympics Vermont for its Athlete Leadership Program and $2,500 to The Mentor Connector in Rutland, Vermont.
CVOEO provides a wide variety of anti-poverty services to low-income households in the four Vermont counties of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle in order to address the fundamental issues of economic, social and racial justice. CVOEO programs assist individuals in achieving economic independence through fuel and utility assistance, access to transitional housing and the State’ s General Assistance program, and community food shelves.
The funding from People’ s United Community Foundation will specifically support CVOEO’ s Growing Money Program. This free financial coaching and training program focuses on financial goal setting and changing participant behaviors in the areas of spending, credit and savings.
‘ The grant from People’ s United Community Foundation allows us to assist hundreds of low-income households in northwest Vermont counties to build financial stability and increase assets,’ said Jim White, director of Growing Money. ‘ This support means that participants will learn practical spending skills, create security accounts, obtain credit scores that qualify for rental units and auto loans, reduce stressful debt loads, take steps towards purchase of a home and much more. The impact of People’ s generosity will be felt throughout the community.’
Founded in 1971, King Street Center offers educational, recreational, and social programs to disadvantaged youth and families. Of the more than 500 children and families served each year, over half are minorities, most of whom are refugees and immigrants whose first language is not English. The center’ s programs include an accredited Head Start Pre-School, afterschool programs, tutoring and mentoring programs, and English language instruction for adult refugees.
The $10,000 grant from People’ s United Community Foundation will support King Street Center’ s Afterschool Excellence program serving 75 low-income children in grades K through 5. With the help of experienced volunteers and strong relationships with Burlington schools, the program provides individualized homework assistance, academic enrichment, summer tutoring and access to technology.
‘ Funding for our programs is precarious year after year. So we are very grateful for People's United Community Foundation’ s consistent support. It makes an enormous difference at King Street, in our neighborhood and within our community at large,’ said Vicky Smith, the executive director of King Street Center.
Incorporated in 1971, Special Olympics Vermont is part of a global movement that works year round to foster inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities through events that highlight their athletic gifts and abilities. The Athlete Leadership Program is designed to give athletes the training, mentoring and confidence to pursue leadership roles within Special Olympics Vermont. The funding from People’ s United Community Foundation will support the training of athletes in various organizational roles, including service on committees, as spokespeople, as coaches, and as members of the board of directors.
‘ This investment by People’ s United Community Foundation will enable people with intellectual disabilities to further develop vital personal and professional skills,’ said Chris Bernier, director of marketing and development at Special Olympics Vermont. ‘ The leadership program gives our athletes meaningful roles both within Special Olympics Vermont and within their community.’
The Mentor Connector pairs children in the Rutland area with adult mentors who live in the same community. The mentor is a trusted adult friend with a long-term, consistent commitment to provide guidance and support to a youth. Formal Mentoring Programs are focused on supporting the relationship between mentor and youth and developing the character and capabilities of the young person. Mentors and mentees are matched according to what the adult wants to focus on ‘ it could be reading, hiking, crafting or fixing a car together. The Mentor Connector then finds a young person who lives nearby and has similar interests.
‘ Thanks to People’ s United Community Foundation, local youth learn skills involved with everyday life, things we refer to as soft skills. This is one-on-one attention and guidance in the specific areas of need. They also get assistance with career exploration and college opportunities," said Rebecca Majoya, executive director of the Mentor Connector.
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 419 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.