May is a month of transition in Vermont. Winter's chill and the mess of mud season are mostly behind us, and much like the budding flowers and leaves, many of us are reemerging into outdoor public spaces to reconnect and reengage with one another.
 
This month, CVOEO invites you to reemerge with us. Please join us and our neighbors for the launch of In our words, in our community and the return of Garden Day. We also welcome our community members in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties to register for A Walk in Their Shoes, an opportunity to fundraise for critical programs and also learn about the daily challenges that our unhoused neighbors encounter. In addition, like in past months, we invite you to join us to recognize and celebrate our staff and board for their contributions to our community.
 
This May, you are invited, even encouraged, to reemerge with us. Let’s continue to evolve and create a stronger, more connected community, together. 
Public Opening & Celebration
In our words, in our community
Pictured here: Wendy, Client and CVOEO Board Member
Join CVOEO and Vermont Folklife for the opening of In our words, in our community, a collaborative, public arts and humanities exhibit created in partnership with photographer Macaulay Lerman. All are invited to join us to celebrate the public launch of the exhibit on Saturday, May 13 with a pop-up from 11:00AM-3:00PM in Burlington’s City Hall Park.

Guided by direct input from a group of Vermonters and the social service workers who aim to address their daily needs, In our words, in our community amplifies the voices of people experiencing the complex dynamics of homelessness, food insecurity, and economic challenges. The exhibit consists of 15 photographic portraits and audio excerpts from in-depth interviews conducted by Vermont Folklife staff over the past two years.

In our words, in our community will travel around the Champlain Valley through October with pop-ups in various community-based locations.
2023 Garden Day
Free seeds and seedlings for the community
Garden Day will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 11:00AM-1:00PM at Feeding Chittenden, 228 N Winooski Ave. in Burlington. In partnership with 3SquaresVT, CVOEO will distribute donated seeds and seedlings to help Vermonter's save money by growing their own vegetables. CVOEO also invites Vermont residents to apply for 3SquaresVT while participating in the event.

Thank you to our amazing partners at Intervale Community Farm for providing the seeds and seedlings, and thank you to Feeding Chittenden for providing a space for Garden Day!
A Walk in Their Shoes
Fundraiser for Franklin & Grand Isle programs
Join us on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00PM to help solve homelessness in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Register today to participate in the 2023 A Walk in Their Shoes event, presented by Haddad Subaru, and hosted by CVOEO's Samaritan House, Franklin and Grand Isle Community Action, and Voices Against Violence/Laurie’s House, in partnership with Martha’s Kitchen.

The event aims to educate the community about homelessness in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties by offering an opportunity to learn about the daily challenges that our unhoused neighbors encounter. 

A Walk in Their Shoes participants are provided with a guided tour around St. Albans by CVOEO staff members and volunteers who share information about what it means to experience homelessness in our community.

All participants are encouraged to register via our online fundraising campaign, and to set a fundraising goal of at least $100. To begin, visit our campaign page.

Individuals, organizations, or groups can register to raise funds to support this work. Please note: if you plan to register as an organization or team, please select the "organization" option after you click "create a new account" at step two.
Celebrating Kris Lukens
Career Achievement Award
We are proud to share that Kris Lukens, Director of CVOEO’s Voices Against Violence/Laurie's House, has been recognized with a Career Achievement Award from The Center for Crime Victim Services.

This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to victim services over their career or lifetime and have changed the culture and practice of Vermont to be safer and more responsive to victims of crime.

For decades Kris has been a community leader, transforming the way our community approaches work with survivors, not only in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, but across Vermont. Kris has eased the fear and suffering of so many individuals and has been an ally, providing survivors with safety, relief, compassion, support, and hope.

Join us in congratulating our friend and colleague, Kris Lukens!
Meet the Board of Directors
Jon Crystal
As part of our ongoing effort to highlight members of CVOEO's Board of Directors, we are pleased to introduce Jon Crystal, Board of Directors Vice President and representative from Addison County. 
"CVOEO is unique in the breadth and depth of the services it offers, building a synergy between programs to make the whole stronger than its separate parts. I am honored to be able to assist in its work."
Careers at CVOEO
Join our team
Join one of VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce's top 57 Best Places to Work in Vermont 2023. At CVOEO, our caring and dedicated staff is the heart and soul of our organization, and we want you to join us.
 
A few of our recently posted career opportunities include:
 
Preschool Teacher Associate with Champlain Valley Head Start, Housing Advocate with Samaritan House, Human Resource Generalist with Administration, Mobile Home Program Resident Organizer with Housing Advocacy Programs, and more.