Our story is one of partnership. Learn more about how we work and the positive changes our unique approach to community partnership has on real people in our community.
Stories
united way + bone builders
Meet Karen
“One of the things I love about Bone Builders is that you can come and be with your friends and get your exercise done at the same time. I know it’s successful on days when I can’t start the class because everybody’s talking and connecting. We are serving a social function, and we are helping keep people healthy. It doesn’t get better than that.”
Working bridges + university of vermont home health and hospice
Meet Jason
Jason Baral, a physical therapist and clinical educator at UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice, supports employees across the organization – including helping them navigate life and work stressors.
He often refers employees to their Working Bridges Resource Coordinator for confidential, one-on-one support.
UNITED WAY/common good vermont + Milton family community center
Meet Nicole
As the Executive Director of the Milton Family Community Center, Nicole turns to Common Good Vermont for education, advocacy, and connections that help her nonprofit to continue supporting families.
UNITED WAY + working bridges
Meet Kristy
When Kristy started meeting with Nicole, her Working Bridges Resource Coordinator at Food Science, she was homeless, had an unreliable car, and had just taken in her 3-year-old grandson who has autism – all while trying to maintain her sobriety. Kristy and Nicole worked together tackling one challenge at a time.
UNITED WAY + king street center/the family room
Meet Hawa
Hawa Adan started coming to King Street Center when she was in elementary school. Today Hawa is director of King Street’s K-5 program. She also volunteers at the Janet S. Munt Family Room in Burlington, where she helped start a support group for families of children on the autism spectrum.
UNITED WAY + Project All Together Now VT
Meet Joss
As a youth intern for Project All Together Now VT, Joss worked with his peers at Mount Mansfield Union High School to survey students and plan programs and events aimed at fostering community and reducing isolation.
UNITED WAY + mental health first aid
Meet Cari
Over the past year, Cari Kelley has certified over 120 people in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), on top of her full-time job as United Way’s workplace donor relations manager.
UNITED WAY + AALV
Meet Jeetan
AALV, a United Way funded partner, supports refugees and immigrants in our community with everything from meeting basic needs and finding employment to overcoming cultural barriers to accessing resources for issues like domestic violence and mental health challenges.
UNITED WAY + the mental health initiative
Meet Erica
Erica is one of 10 community members the United Way’s Mental Health Initiative is supporting with MHFA training as part of our work to more than double the number of mental health first aid trainers in the state.
UNITED WAY + working bridges
Meet Blane
Every workday Blane Fonda has a 45-minute commute from Richford to Teknor Apex in St. Albans and picks up a co-worker along the way. Reliable transportation is crucial. So, when his car needed parts he couldn’t afford, Blane asked Connie, his Working Bridges resource coordinator, for help.
UNITED WAY + BONE BUILDERS
Meet Peggy
Peggy is keeping her peers strong and healthy by volunteering as an instructor for Bone Builders, a free exercise program designed to reduce the effects of osteoporosis and keep aging adults connected in their communities.
September 14, 2022