Meet Our Partner Organizations
When you give to the United Way, you have the ability to affect thousands of people with a single investment. The Franklin-Grand Isle United Way is committed to putting your dollars to work through 19 local organizations that address crucial community needs. These agencies are chosen for their proven track records and innovative programs, and receive funding through a highly accountable and transparent allocations process… one more way that the FGIUW makes sure that the community gets the most from your donations. For information on the partner agency application process, contact Sally Bortz at (802) 527-7418 or sally@fgiunitedway.org.
2011-12 Funded Programs
Impact Area: Education
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services – Camp Rainbow
Camp Rainbow is a summer camp which ensures the continuity of skill development for children and youth on the Autism Spectrum throughout the summer. Camp activities are designed to refresh and strengthen behavioral, communication, social and academic skills through sensory exploration. Social activities with peers are encouraged through sporting activities, swimming, boating, hayrides, animal exploration, singing and crafts. Adaptive equipment and one to one assistance is provided to ensure participants are engaged and successful.
Franklin Grand Isle Counties Foster Grandparent Program
The program’s mission is to assist in meeting the needs of children in community agencies by focusing on building strong inter-generational, nurturing and supportive relationships with 55+ volunteers. The focus at the elementary school level is to help children develop positive attitudes about learning and reach reading, math, and behavioral and/or social goals. Pre-elementary focus is to develop an enjoyment of learning and reach social, behavioral and/or pre-literacy development goals needed to be ready for kindergarten.
Champlain Adaptive Mount Program
CHAMP’s equine assisted activities provide unique physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional benefits for special needs participants. Using adaptive equipment and a specialized arena setting, CHAMP offers therapeutic horseback riding as an activity that improves balance, trunk control and muscle tone while also encouraging socialization and verbalization and increasing self-esteem and confidence.
Franklin Grand Isle 4-H Program
Using research based curriculum, 4-H club programs allow youth to explore and learn experientially about a variety of topics. Through community service projects and leadership training alongside volunteer adult club leaders, participants are exposed to science, engineering, and technology programs and learn valuable life skills.
Boy Scouts of America- Green Mountain Council
Scouting provides an opportunity for boys to gather in small groups and working with parents/leaders they address 12 Core Values that are taught and instilled in the boys in a fun, safe environment. Scouts connect with positive role models and are exposed to many opportunities to acquire life skills that they will give back to their community and use as a career path.
Franklin-Grand Isle Building Bright Futures
Building Bright Futures works with individual communities to provide free developmentally appropriate caregiver-child educational programs and training workshops to improve the skill level and knowledge base of parents and early care and educational professionals who support young children’s growth, development and education. Educational activities such as playgroups, story times, and kindergarten transition services are open to all children aged 0-6, families, and early care professionals in all 20 towns in our region.
Impact Area: Health and Well-Being
Prevent Child Abuse-Vermont
Nurturing Parents Programs and Circles of Parents Support Groups helps provide proven, effective programs that reduce child abuse and neglect and work to strengthen families. Stress in participating families is reduced by providing the opportunity to increase knowledge and skills in supportive group environments that reduce the isolation that many parents and families experience.
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services – New Connections
New Connections is a 24/7 hotline staffed by skilled clinicians trained to respond to calls from families, schools, police and community partners regarding youth at risk of running away or becoming homeless. New Connections provides mediation and de-escalation support to children and families struggling with behavioral challenges. Emergency respite is also available.
Maple Leaf Farms
Maple Leaf Farm provides medically monitored detoxification services and residential treatment for substance abuse. Services include assessment and treatment planning, medical and psychological evaluations, group therapy, individual counseling sessions, family weekend program, interaction with other patients, and continued care planning to ensure success once the patient returns to their family and community.
Franklin County Senior Center
The Senior Center’s food program targets improved health for lower income senior citizens. Meals are delivered five days a week to home bound seniors and people with disabilities and full hot meals are prepared and provided at the Senior Center three days a week and at several off site locations around the St. Albans community one day a month.
Champlain Valley Agency on Aging – Case Management
The Case Management Program supports older adults and people with disabilities who need formal care in their daily life and provides access to needed health services and care. CVAA Case Managers work one on one with clients to coordinate care plans that support seniors remaining in their own homes, assist with applications for benefits and assistance programs, research funding and information sources, and coordinate oversight of services being utilized.
Franklin County Home Health Agency
The Homemaker Program at FCHHA provides assistance to frail elders and persons with disabilities by preparing meals, cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping and other supportive services. These services help prevent delay of discharge from hospital or nursing home settings and help to prevent injury, improve nutrition, and maintain safe and clean living spaces, which all lead to successful independent living.
CarePartners
CarePartners provides respite to family caregivers through adult day services for frail adults with dementia/physical impairment, enabling participants to remain living in their own homes and communities. United Way funds support a sliding fee scale, so that participants and families who cannot afford to pay the full cost or are not on a Medicaid program can benefit from this caregiver support service. Adult day service programs help families delay or avoid placement of a family member in a long termcare facility.
Franklin County Court Diversion
Court Diversion is a formal alternative to court that deals with crime through a community-run restorative justice process, supporting participants to repair any harm done to their victim(s), the community, and to themselves. Participants acknowledge their accountability in an interview with community volunteers, during which a set of tasks is agreed upon by the participant and the volunteers, and upon successful and timely completion, charges are then dismissed.
Champlain Islanders Developing Essential Resources
The services and activities offered at C.I.D.E.R. include nutrition education, meals-on-wheels, exercise and wellness classes, adaptive equipment, socialization opportunities, and the coordination of community volunteers to contribute directly to the ability of the community to care for order / disabled people. Home accessibility projects such as wheelchair ramps help create a safe home environment and extensive transportation services provide access to healthcare.
Impact Area: Income
CVOEO-Voices against Violence
Laurie’s House is a 10 bed emergency shelter providing safe housing and support for women and children who are in abusive situations. They provide food and housing, while working with families on enhancing their economic stability through options such as direct financial support, transitional housing with supportive services, employment opportunities and community engagement. A hotline is available for those in crisis to access supports, advocacy, problem-solving assistance, and information and referral 24/7.
Vermont Center for Independent Living
The Peer Advocacy Counseling Program at VCIL works to achieve the full integration of people with disabilities to have the power to control and direct their own lives by accessing available resources and assisting peers to remain independent and productive in their community. Peer Advocacy Counselors address budgeting, housing, employment skills and opportunities and lead community and skills training meetings.
The American Red Cross Disaster Service Program
The American Red Cross provides access to food and shelter and other basic needs such as medications, clothing, and hygiene items, to clients during times of need. The program has been designed to meet the immediate needs of both victims and first responders with significant resources dedicated to preparing and planning for large scale emergencies in our region.
CVOEO-Franklin-Grand Isle Community Action Food Shelf
Investing in the FGICA Food Shelf directly impacts hunger in our community and helps ensure that families will have access to food when they need it. Longer range assistance is also provided by assisting recipients in apply for the 3SquaresVT program, the Commodities Program, and local gardening programs. Nutritional education services are supported and Farm to Family coupons are distributed as well.
Champlain Valley Agency on Aging- Meals on Wheels Program
CVAA’s Meals on Wheels Program contributes directly to the target outcome of ensuring access to food with a focus on seniors who are no longer able to cook for themselves. Community volunteers provide a daily safety check, warm smiles, and hot, nourishing meals to isolated seniors five days a week allowing more seniors to meet their basic needs while maintaining their independence.
Fairfield Community Center
Food is supplied to at-risk families and individuals in Fairfield and surrounding communities through a Food Shelf and Community Meals site. Food education programs are provided as well as recipes, cooking suggestions and to-go meals. A Community Garden is maintained and partnerships are in place with local growers and farmers to provide fresh produce.
CVOEO-Financial Futures
