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Be A Neighborhood Reporter!
The BLCP needs neighborhood reporters! Join other reporters who monitor their Front Porch Forum digests for relevant postings/issues and occasionally post messages from the BLCP project or AARP to neighbors. This will take very little time, but could really help the initiative reach out to the people we hope to serve and inform.
We ultimately hope to have coverage throughout the city of Burlington. Let us know if you'd like to join the team. Just e-mail vt@aarp.org with your contact information, neighborhood name and "Neighborhood Reporter" in the subject line. |
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Q & A With Mari Steinbach, Director, Burlington Department of Parks and Recreation
Mari Steinbach, was appointed in October and comes to Burlington having worked over 20 years in local parks and recreation. She has a BS in Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration. Most recently she was Parks and Recreation Manager in Scottsdale, Arizona and before that she worked in Anchorage, Alaska. Steinbach is living in the New North End and is looking forward to warmer weather when she can bike to work.
Now that you've had a chance to get to know Burlington and what Parks and Recreation has to offer, what are your top three priorities going forward?
- Building greater respect to this position and to the Parks & Recreation Department, with an intentional focus on community engagement
- Delivering transparent processes and protocols around parks and recreation programs and projects
- Increasing the quality and quantity of meaningful parks and recreation opportunities to the citizens and visitors of Burlington.
Burlington has a growing and diverse population of older residents. How will Parks and Recreation meet the programming needs of Burlington's older adults?
We are already embarking on a great initiative that is in the works in collaboration with AARP and the community senior centers! This is an opportunity to guide and participate in a community-wide leisure and wellness needs and opportunities assessment to help give intentional focus to those programming needs. Increasing the dialogue among service providers is paramount to understanding roles, needs, and the comprehensive community framework. Once we more clearly understand the needs of and offerings to this important community population, we can help facilitate stronger community collaboration and accessible opportunities - comprehensively through parks AND recreation!
In previous jobs, have you implemented or seen innovative programs you would like to bring to Burlington (for any age)?
- a Park Foundation, along with increased volunteer initiatives
- establishing standards, processes, and programs giving intentional focus to strong practices and tangible outcomes
- building and sustaining a healthy collaborative environment among community partners that enables leveraging of resources to strengthen our community as a whole
What are our biggest gaps in service?
We as a department have realized that we can strengthen our programming around meeting leisure needs in early childhood, adult special interests, lifelong learning, and adventure and active older adults. Also, as a whole we can do a better job of ensuring that our parks and programs are excellent gateways to building lifelong outdoor interests.
What are your three favorite sports or recreational activities?
Only three? Skiing - both Nordic & Alpine; Bicycling; Running & Hiking. I'm open to learning and using other recreational skills in activities that others would like to share with me. |
NeighborKeepers: Opening Doors Through Allies
Sometimes all it takes to turn things around is making a good connection. That's what NeighborKeepers does for some of the areas most vulnerable citizens. NeighborKeepers is a non-profit organization in Burlington that focuses on building community around families to collaboratively address poverty. Through an innovative "Circles of Support" program, NeighborKeepers creates sustainable, supportive friend networks that provide low-income families and individuals with the resources they need to improve health, get training, find jobs, and form a sense of direction.
NeighborKeepers was launched in 2006 by social entrepreneur Hal Colston, also the founder of Good News Garage. Hal sought to help local families transition out of poverty through the use of community "Allies" - quite literally a "circle of support" consisting of volunteers and fellow community members who offer ongoing guidance to help build important social networks and increase resources. Low-income families seeking to transition out of poverty are teamed with volunteer Allies who work together with them to network and develop skills to build stability, resilience, and support for the achievement of their goals for a brighter future. The Circles of Support program, as well as Colston's anti-poverty efforts with the Good News Garage, were recently highlighted in People Magazine's "Heroes Among Us", on NBC's "The Today Show" with Tiki Barber and on Oprah this past May.
Becoming an Ally is an ideal match for volunteers who can offer a wealth of life experience, sage advice, and helpful connections to families and individuals in the cycle of poverty. "The goal of NeighborKeepers is to 'do with' as opposed to 'do for' people transitioning out of poverty," says Colston. "The Circles of Support model works because it breaks the isolation of poverty. The average participant has zero to two associational relationships in their lives, Allies have eight to ten."
NeighborKeepers Allies and participants all bring diverse experience and talents to these intentional friendships and, as many Allies have testified, the Circles of Support program is empowering for everyone involved.
More Allies are needed to expand the "Circles of Support" to additional individuals and families. NeighborKeepers hopes to reach out to retirees and others age 55 and over willing to work towards social change in a unique and meaningful way. NeighborKeepers believes that through the power of interdependent community, everyone has the resources to realize their sense of purpose, to fulfill their relationships, and contribute to the common good. Volunteering to become a part of a family's Circle of Support as a trained Ally can make a world of difference and strengthen our community - which benefits us all.
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Put More Healthy Food on Your Table with 3SquaresVT
For older people, good nutrition is extremely important. It helps you stay active and helps prevent sickness. The high costs of food, fuel and health care are making it hard for many older Vermonters to put good food on the table. 3SquaresVT can help.
3SquaresVT helps you stretch your food budget and put three square meals a day on your table. It comes as a monthly dollar benefit either on a debit-like card called an EBT card or as cash directly deposited into your bank account. There is no gross income limit for elders 60 and over to be eligible. And elders with gross incomes below 185% of federal poverty levels do not have a resource limit. The 185% income limit is $1,671 per month for a single person or $2,248 for a couple. If your monthly income is over these amounts, you may still be eligible, but have a resource limit instead. But remember, your retirement savings do not count as resources.
As a program of the US Department of Agriculture, 3SquaresVT was created not only to help individuals, but to support local businesses and farmers. Elders who take part are not taking money away from others in need. Congress made it an entitlement program to assure there would be benefits for everyone. Just like Social Security, 3SquaresVT is a benefit you are entitled to if you are eligible - there is no reason not to apply. Spending benefits in Vermont adds federal dollars to the state's economy.
Many Vermonters are facing challenges right now. Everyone needs access to healthy food, and 3SquaresVT is here to help. More than 1 in 8 Vermonters participate, including thousands of elders. You've worked hard all your life and you have earned the help you need.
For more information or an application, visit www.vermontfoodhelp.com or call the statewide Vermont Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119. |
Burlington-Williston Bus Service to Improve
If you've ever tried to take the bus from downtown Burlington to Williston's Taft Corners it can take up to an hour and the circuitous route includes a transfer at the University Mall. This route has been a target for upgrades at CCTA with the goal being a direct line between the two communities. They have recently secured funding from the state to redesign the route, which would include 15-minute peak hour service. "This upgrade will significantly improve the connection between Burlington, South Burlington, and Williston." said Meredith Birkett, Planning Manager at CCTA. "We expect it will attract new riders and eventually reduce congestion on Williston Road."
Existing service along this corridor would change and residents are being asked to weigh in on three options for new routes. More details on the proposed route changes are available on the CCTA website. The site also includes a survey where you can provide feedback on each of the service options. Public hearings will be held in each of the affected communities in January. Dates and locations will be publicized on the CCTA site and at www.blcp.org. |
Volunteer Spotlight: Guardians ad Litem
Become an Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children in Court
Every day, citizen volunteers from Burlington work tirelessly as "Guardians ad Litem" to give a voice to Chittenden County's abused and neglected children. In Chittenden County alone, there are over 200 abused and neglected children placed in the care of the State until the Court decides the best permanent home for them. Guardians ad Litem speak up for these children in court proceedings, social service meetings, schools and in their foster or residential homes.
The Guardian ad Litem program is currently launching a new effort to increase the number of Guardians in Chittenden County. They are looking for more giving individuals to volunteer time to help children who are involved in the court system through no fault of their own. If you have the time to donate, care immensely about children in your community, and can advocate for children with both objectivity and compassion, please consider applying to the Vermont Guardian as Litem Program. You do not need a professional degree or background to become a court advocate for a child. Volunteers accepted to the program must pass a background check, receive 32 hours of pre-service training, and have a willingness to learn and grow as an advocate. Guardians are supported by the project coordinator and the mutual support of a wonderful group of citizen volunteers.
To apply, please contact Katherine Spence, Chittenden County GAL coordinator, (802) 651-1504, or go to http://vermontjudiciary.org/GTC/Family/GAL.aspx for an application. |
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December 18-19
Holiday Artist Market
Friday 12-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Contois Auditorium, City Hall
Free Admission
December 19
Burlington Farmer's Market
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Memorial Auditorium
December 25
5th Annual Holiday Dinner for Seniors
Burlington High School
1 p.m.
This popular annual holiday event is put on by HANDS (Helping & Nurturing Diverse Seniors) and is free and open to seniors and their families. To reserve your seat or to order a home delivered meal call the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging at 865-0360. For more information on how to donate to HANDS go to http://www.handsvt.org/.
January 27-February 7
Souvenir by Stephen Temperley presented by Vermont Stage Company
Flynn Space
Evening shows 7:30; Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
AARP Members get a 10% discount on tickets.
Ongoing Programs:
Burlington KIN Group
Every Wednesday
Heineberg Senior and Community Center
6:30 p.m.
This group is new to Burlington and is open to anyone raising children of relatives. Get support from others raising kin as well as helpful information on financial and other assistance available to the relatives or child.
Indoor Walking at the Miller Center
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Do you want to walk but find it hard to navigate snowy sidewalks? Walk indoors for free at the Miller Center at 130 Gosse Court. You can walk at your own speed. A resting place is available as well as staff to help if needed. You can follow your progress with individual tracking sheets.
For information call 540-1058. | |
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