The board of directors of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity is pleased to announce that Paul Dragon has been hired as the new executive director for the agency. Over the past 15 years, Paul has worked at the Agency of Human Services in several roles, including the Deputy Secretary for the Agency, the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, and currently as the Director for Field Services. In each of these roles Paul has sought to bring the Agency’s vision of holistic and integrated services to Vermonters. As the Director of the Healthcare for the Homeless Program in Burlington, he led the development of the Safe Harbor Clinic and the Pearl Street Clinic.
The many accolades Paul has received include: the Agency of Human Services Beacon Award for Leadership, the Agency of Human Services Results-Oriented Award, the Partner in Social Justice Award from the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and the University of Vermont Herman B. Meyers Excellence in Doctoral Policy Research Award.
Paul’s commitment to ending poverty, promoting equity and building an inclusive community started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali West Africa when he realized there needs to be an “ecological approach to building a community that includes not only health care and social justice, but a deep connection and respect for the environment and all its inhabitants.”
Nina Harrington, President of the Board of Directors, speaks on behalf of the entire board: “We are thrilled that Paul has accepted our offer to lead CVOEO into the future. He has the skills to help us realize our strategic objectives in the context of our overall mission. We are confident in his commitment to economic, social and racial justice as well as his belief in the value and dignity of the people we serve.”
Paul lives with his wife and three children in Underhill, Vermont. He spends his spare time as a volunteer handler for rescue dogs, and his hobbies and interests include hiking, running, cross country skiing and reading. When asked what drew him to CVOEO, Paul said, “It is the organization’s long and storied commitment to social justice and the belief that community action agencies are catalysts for change.” He added that, “true strength and creativity comes from within a community of diverse ideas and experiences, and I am excited and honored to be a part of this organization and the communities it represents.”
The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) is a nonprofit formed in 1965 to carry out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in Vermont's Northwest Counties of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle. The organization’s, mission is to address the fundamental issues of economic, social, and racial justice and to work with people to achieve economic independence. With decades of experience in poverty alleviation and financial asset development work, CVOEO provides vital services to over 23,000 individuals annually. This includes the unemployed and underemployed, single mothers, elderly, immigrants and refugees, and veterans.