Happy New Year, friends of Generations Vermont, it’s high time for an update:
Community Meetings
Over the course of the fall, four community meetings were held around Central Vermont to gather input (Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury & Cabot). My gratitude to the folks who came out to share their thoughts and experience. Although these were very specific time points, our collection of information and surveying of needs in the community continues on almost a daily basis. Bob Crego, Generations Vermont’s project manager and I have visited with numerous stakeholders, community development representatives, other adult day organizations and early childhood educators in order to create our business plan.
Business Plan
The plan has been submitted to the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) for review. The preparation of the business plan is an important milestone. The vision of intergenerational care in Vermont must have a sound foundation in order to support the community with a plan for long term sustainability. Topics addressed in the business plan include community needs, funding and revenue streams, start up costs and site development, and creating an organization with well supported staff and clients.
Non-Profit Status
In December the new board of directors of Generations Vermont met at the Central Vermont Council on Aging offices to officially adopt by-laws and articles of incorporation. Soon after, Generations Vermont was registered with the State of Vermont as a non-profit and the all-important process for applying for our IRS 501(c)3 (registered charity) status has begun.
Board of Directors
I am excited to announce Generations Vermont’s inaugural board of directors:
- Martha Trembley Oakes, Director of Philanthropy at the Vermont Community Foundation
- Diane Jones, Complex Care Coordinator at Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice
- Benn Canfield, Nurse Practitioner
- Christy Swenson, Director of Early Childhood Programs at Capstone
- Nikhil Goyal, Sociologist/Author
- Marissa Birne, Associate Director of Education at The Center on Aging at the University of Vermont
Help Us Find Our Home
As we head into the new year the focus will be on finding a home, whether that is a piece of land to build on or a space especially renovated for this purpose it is a central part of our next steps.
This is where YOU can help! Here’s our base criteria:
- In the Berlin-Barre-Montpelier area
- 7,000 SF of useable area
- access to outdoor seating and playground area
- parking and reasonable accessibility for those with limited mobility
- access to town water and sewer hook ups
- no prohibitions on childcare (or elder services)
- ability to modify space (e.g. add bathrooms, partitions, etc.)
- out of flood plain
- long-term lease or purchase
If you know of a promising opportunity, please let us know!
Website Launch
And finally, we are excited to unveil phase one of our website! Stay informed with the latest updates and learn more about Generations Vermont’s vision and intergenerational care.
Together, we’re creating a new approach to care in Central Vermont, and we thank you for your ongoing support!