On March 24, Lund clients, staff, legislators, trustees and friends joined together in the Cedar Creek Room at the Vermont State House, to celebrate Lund Family Center’s services to families throughout Vermont at the kick-off celebration honoring Lund’s 120th Anniversary Year. Event Co-Chairs Jeanne Kennedy and Kit Stone cut the congratulatory cake and served it to the large group of supporters and friends gathered in tribute to Lund’s mission and accomplishments. A resolution had been adopted earlier in the day in the Vermont House of Representatives to recognize Lund’s dedication to strengthening families and helping children thrive. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Johanna Leddy Donovan of Burlington, a former member of the LFC Board of Trustees, and co-sponsored by over sixty House members, who represented a full spectrum of legislators.
Guests paid tribute to Lund’s longevity and successes. Board President Eileen Simollardes commented that “If the ten women who founded Lund 120 years ago could see us now…these were women who lived all over Vermont, they had no vote or immediate means of transportation, yet they managed to gather to establish a unique organization that endures and continues to flourish.” Lt. Governor Brian Dubie commented that the resolution was earned and shared his best wishes for another 120 years of great work. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin called Lund Family Center the crown jewel of Vermont promising to do everything the legislators can in the State House to keep Lund strong. Speaker of the House Shap Smith commented on the importance of Lund‘s service to all Vermonters, noting that the Legislature would continue its support of Lund’s mission. Smith encouraged those present to stay involved, step up and support Lund’s activities and write that check that will ensure that Lund can continue its outstanding services to Vermont’s families.
Since its founding in 1890, Lund has kept pace with shifts in the social fabric of our community. Event Co-Chair Kit Stone said “… the definition of family has evolved in the past 120 years, and with that, so have Lund’s programs and services, yet we remain true to our mission of strengthening Vermont families.” Executive Director Barbara Rachelson described "how many hours of passion and dedication have been spent over the years to make the lives of Vermonters better." Kim Coe, Director of Residential and Community Treatment programs summed it up well saying, "who knew we would be receiving awards for exceptional outcomes...we did."
A Brief HistoryLund Family Center was founded 120 years ago by a committed group of women affliated with the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Originally called “The Home for Friendless Women,” Lund was a maternity home where women hid during their pregnancies, gave birth and placed their child for adoption. Reference to Lund was often spoken of in whispers and the work at the home was shrouded in secrecy due to the stigma of unwed motherhood which prevailed at the turn of the century. In fact, well into the 1950s a bowl of wedding rings was kept by the door for residents to don when going out into the community.
Over 120 years Lund Family Center has facilitated more than 8,600 adoptions and served more than 50,000 people with residential treatment, high school and GED preparation, childcare, job training and independent living programs. The impact of Lund’s work is felt across Vermont and the country. Vermont’s oldest and largest private adoption agency, Lund is the state’s only residential program where women can receive mental health and substance abuse treatment under the same roof as their child. Anywhere else, mothers are separated from their children yet outcomes improve when families remain intact, as they do when receiving services through Lund’s programs.
The strength of Lund’s work and impact of its services lies in the breadth of support the organization extends to families regardless of their parenting choice. The contemporary approach to individualized treatment further strengthens Lund’s ability to customize services to meet the specific needs and goals of each client.
# # #
Vermont legislators honor Lund Family Center for 120 Years
Submitted by tim
on