Dear Friends,
A former U.S. President from Vermont once said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”
And so, we persist—in our mission to bring intergenerational care to Central Vermont.
Since our last update, we’ve had some exciting developments to share.
A New Partnership in Early Childhood Education
In May, we partnered with Horizons Early Learning Program LLC (HELP), a Windham County-based childcare organization, to co-develop the early childhood education component of Generations Vermont. HELP’s CEO, Melanie Zinn, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the table. Since 2021, she has successfully owned and operated three childcare centers—two of which are rated 5 STARS and one 4 STARS. Melanie was named Vermont’s Early Childhood Educator of the Year in 2018, and she continues to champion high-quality, community-focused early learning environments. Her approach ensures that children, families, and teachers collaborate to create strong, nurturing communities rooted in excellence.
Building Connections Nationwide
In June, board member Marissa Brine and I attended the Generations United Global Intergenerational Conference in Louisville, KY. My attendance was made possible by a grant from the Vermont Direct Care Initiative—and I’m so grateful for that support.
At the conference, we connected with peers from across the country who are working in intergenerational housing, adult day services, kinship care, and community programming. The experience was both inspiring and affirming. I left with a deeper understanding of how impactful intergenerational care can be—and also how unique Vermont is.
With a population roughly equal to that of Louisville, our state has a relatively small resource pool. That’s why programs like Generations Vermont, which serve multiple populations at once, offer a highly efficient way to build capacity and resilience in our communities. In today’s political and economic climate, we must look inward and ask ourselves: What can I do to support the organizations that nurture our lives? By attracting new families to Vermont with innovative, community-focused services, we also grow the pool of resources and support for everyone.
We’re Official: 501(c)(3) Status Granted
In July, Generations Vermont received its official 501(c)(3) nonprofit status! This means we are now a recognized charitable organization, and donations are tax-deductible.
You can now make donations easily through our website with our newly added donation feature. We also continue to accept contributions by cash, check, or IRA disbursement.
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Together, we are creating something truly meaningful for Vermont’s children, elders, and families.
What’s Next
Over the past few months, Generations Vermont has taken exciting steps toward making our intergenerational center a reality. We’re now working with a property owner in Berlin to explore building the center there. The process takes time — especially since we must meet every requirement to qualify for federal funding to construct the facility. Before we can even break ground, there’s a lot of groundwork to complete!
To continue this important progress, we’re working to raise $320,000 to cover the critical planning and development costs that will bring our vision closer to reality.
I look forward to bringing you more exciting updates in the coming months. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are interested in being involved in this project.
Warmly,
Erin