Community Supports

Any Question? Call Vermont 211

Provides all people in Vermont with free access to community resources through information and referral (I&R). This access includes personal assistance by telephone and online through a searchable database of services, including the following: Child Care Resources, Clothing and Thrift Shops, Crisis Services, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Food Shelves and Nutrition Programs, Alcohol and Drug Programs, Legal Assistance, Youth and Family Services, and more! Just dial 2-1-1!

First Call for Chittenden County 24/7/365 Crisis Line  | Tel: 802-488-7777

Housing

• Burlington Housing Authority
  BHA is Vermont’s oldest and largest municipally-based housing authority. Created in 1961, BHA has been providing affordable housing for forty years to individuals and families in the City of Burlington and surrounding communities.
• Vermont Housing Authority
  VSHA provides statewide housing subsidies.
• Champlain Housing Trust
  CHT manages 2,200 apartments, stewards 565 owner-occupied homes in its signature shared-equity program, offers homebuyer education and financial fitness counseling, provides services to five housing cooperatives, and offers affordable energy efficiency and rehab loans.
• COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter)
  COTS provides emergency shelter, services, and housing for people who are without homes or who are marginally housed. COTS advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness.
• Section 8 Assistance
  The Section 8 Existing program provides rental assistance to help eligible families live in safe and decent housing of their choice. With funding provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by local public housing authorities, as well as VSHA, this program utilizes privately owned existing housing stock. Families, elderly, disabled and single people whose income falls within the income guidelines qualify for this program. After a person applies and is determined eligible, they are placed on a waiting list until funds become available to assist them. When funding becomes available, a certificate or voucher is issued.

Shelters

• ANEW Place
  Serves individuals 18yrs and older. Families must go through COTS.
• COTS
  COTS advocates for long-term solutions to end homelessness and provides emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.
• Elmwood Community Shelter
  Provides specialized support services to people with mental and medical health issues, substance use disorder, and other challenges with accessing traditional shelter options.  The screening process for ECS is operated from a low-barrier perspective—meaning that they do not require that people be sober, or compliant with mental health or substance use disorder treatment.  While engagement in on-site social services and housing resources is strongly encouraged, guests of the shelter are not required to participate in these programs to maintain guest status at the ECS.
• Motel Voucher
  State of Vermont Shelter program. Eligibility includes:
  • Lost housing due to no fault of their own, 
  • ​Cannot afford to pay for housing, and 
  • Experienced a catastrophic situation, such as a fire, flood, or natural disaster OR the household contains a vulnerable member.

Food

• 3SquaresVT
  Food support. Eligibility includes:
  • Family’s gross household income is equal to or less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, or
  • Families with children that receive the VT Earned Income Tax Credit.
• WIC – WIC is the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, counseling and programs for pregnant Vermonters, parents and caregivers with children under 5.

Employment:

• Department of Labor
  The Vermont Department of Labor is comprised of four major divisions: Workforce Development, Labor Market Information, Unemployment Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation & Workplace Safety.
• Working Fields
  Working Fields is a staffing agency with a unique peer support model born from their founder’s experience in recovery, incarceration, and socially responsible business. They work with any motivated jobseeker to fill entry-level through senior positions for employers across Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Jobseekers receive ongoing support via peer coaching and strong account management. They also work closely with community organizations to provide necessary resources or referrals. Their mission-driven, person-centered, relationship-focused approach promotes equitable hiring practices, long-term retention, and diverse, inclusive workplaces. Together with their partners, they provide everyone the opportunity for employment.

Youth and Family Services

• Spectrum Youth and Family Services
  Spectrum Youth and Family Services is a community-based nonprofit organization with more than 39 years of experience providing housing and support services for homeless, foster, and at-risk youth.
• Department for Children and Families
  DCF brings together a wide array of programs and services that affect the well-being of individuals, children, and families in Vermont.
• Vermont Family Network
  Vermont Family Network (VFN) promotes better health, education, and well-being for all children and families, with a focus on children and young adults with special needs.

Health and Well-being

• Howard Center
  The Howard Center offers life-saving professional crisis and counseling services to children and adults; supportive services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities who need help with education, employment, and life maintenance skills; counseling and medical services for those struggling with substance abuse; and intensive interventions for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges. Howard Center was founded in 1865 and helps more than 15,000 individuals and families every year.
• Community Health Centers of Burlington 
  The Community Health Centers of Burlington offer an array of services, including medical care, dental care, counseling, etc. in a variety of locations in Burlington during the day, evening, and Saturday hours. They do same-day sick appointments and 24-hour year-round on-call coverage.
• University of Vermont Medical Center
  University of Vermont Medical Center is the state’s academic health center. They offer comprehensive services for all health care needs, including Level I Trauma Center, Vermont Children’s Hospital, Vermont Cancer Center, and Advanced Cardiac Care.

English Learning and New American Supports

Please visit our Multicultural Supports Page for more detailed information on resources.

• AALV
  AALV helps new Americans from all parts of the world gain independence in their new communities through a range of integration services, including bridging case management, workforce development, behavioral health awareness, and interpreter services programming. With support from our multicultural, multilingual staff, our clients are able to smoothly transition to living and working in Vermont.
• Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program
  The USCRI Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (VRRP) values the resilient and self-reliant community contributors who come to Vermont to rebuild their lives. We provide refugees with pivotal life-readiness services to ensure every person is empowered with the skills and tools needed to become a self-sufficient and productive member of a global society. Our local community is invited to explore this page for community-specific updates and opportunities to engage with our work and purpose. Join our passionate team and compassionate community to help us unite courage with opportunity for the latest generation of Americans!

Adult Education

• Vermont Adult Learning
  Vermont Adult Learning is a private nonprofit and a member of Learning Works, Vermont’s Adult Education and Literacy System.  We provide basic skills instruction, high school completion, transition to college and career services, and English language instruction for New Americans.  Our programs are free to our students, who are aged 16 and older and who lack a high school diploma or the equivalent skills.  Our goal is to reduce the negative effects of poverty on our families, communities, and workplaces by ensuring that all Vermonters have the skills and confidence necessary for success in the 21st century.

Additional Resources:

• CVOEO
  Through a variety of programs, CVOEO provides individuals and families with the basic needs of food, fuel, and housing support in times of crisis, and helps them acquire the necessary education, financial skills, and assets to build a stable future in which they thrive.
• Child Care Resource
  To find the application for subsidy, select the “For Families” tab above and then “Helping Pay for Child Care”. The application must be printed.
• Reach Up
  Reach Up can help you to set and reach short and long-term goals that will enable you to financially support your minor, dependent children.
• Benefits and Services Available from DCF & Partners
  Various supports such as heating/energy bill assistance.
• Howard Center Access and Intake
  Howard Center Access and Intake program provides easy access to mental health services for children, adults, and families. Anyone can call Access and Intake to learn more about their services. Their intake staff will answer questions, provide support, and connect you with the resources you may need.
• First Call for Chittenden County
  24/7 Support/Crisis Line – First Call for Chittenden County serves clients and the community regardless of age or diagnosis. Their trained, professional staff are available 24/7/365, regardless of the type of service. When you call First Call, you can expect phone support, crisis intervention and assessment, referrals to appropriate services, and connection to follow-up care. They will collaborate with emergency responders during a crisis as needed. Please remember that during a medical emergency call 911 immediately. Phone: 802-488-7777
• Life Wireless
  Life Wireless offers government-assisted wireless services to low-income families and individuals in Vermont. Qualified customers receive free cell phone service. Certain residents may be eligible for a free cell phone. They offer Lifeline discounts to qualified Vermont subscribers who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as government subsidies or a household income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The free Lifeline benefit is limited to one per household and cannot be combined with any other Lifeline offer.