Community Matters
December 2022
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UCS Welcomes New Director of Human Resources | |
UCS Superhero 5K was a blast. | |
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Hundreds of people gathered at the Bennington Community Center on Saturday, November 5, to participate in the 5th annual Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash in support of Equine Assisted Therapy at United Counseling Service (UCS). All funds raised directly benefit the program, a therapeutic partnership between Kanthaka Equine of North Bennington and UCS, that gives participants the opportunity to address mental health challenges through healing interaction with horses.
The event kicked off at 9:00am with solo participants, whole families and friends taking on the race at their own pace. The first individual to complete the 5K was Isaiah Lewit, age group 13-19, of Manchester, VT, with a time of 18 minutes and 42 seconds, averaging six minutes and 2 seconds per mile. The top three finishers each won a handcrafted maple cutting board from J.K. Adams in Dorset, VT, paired with artisan cheeses. The top finishers in each age group received a bottle of maple syrup from Glastenview Maple Farm in Shaftsbury, VT.
Bennington’s local National Guard, Bravo Troop, were represented at the event with several members running the race, as well as a few members who supported the event by hosting their own informational table where community members could stop by, ask questions, and get to know Bravo Troop. UCS’s Children, Youth & Family Services and Teens4Change also hosted their own tent, as well as Heritage Family Credit Union and Bennington Appalachian Trail Community.
Local sponsors of the event were Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal, Cigna, Heritage Family Credit Union, GVH Studio, The Richards Group, Better Bennington Corp., MSK Engineering, Northeast Delta Dental, r.k. Miles, Southwestern Vermont Health Care, VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region, Casella, Chiro Med and Rehab, and Hill and Thompson.
UCS looks forward to welcoming even more community members at next year’s Superhero 5K.
Pictured: Superheroes take to the the street at this year's Superhero 5K.
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The Holiday Craft Fair is back! | |
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The annual Holiday Craft Fair hosted by the Developmental Services Connections program returns on December 9, 2022 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.
The fair will be open from 10am-3pm at the Second Congregational Church at 115 Hillside Street in Bennington, VT. Shoppers will find a variety of locally made and handcrafted wares perfect for holiday giving, as well as baked goods and raffle items. All proceeds directly benefit the Developmental Services Connections program at UCS, which provides supports to individuals with disabilities in the areas of job development, training, skill-building and maintaining employment.
Local vendors are invited to attend! There is a $25 table fee for vendors. Please contact Christopher Burke at 802.445.7285 by December 2 if interested in attending as a vendor.
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United Counseling Service will offer Adult Mental Health First Aid training on Friday, January 13 from 8:30am to 3:00pm via zoom. This groundbreaking skills-based course gives people the tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary.
One in five Americans has a mental illness, and the pandemic has dramatically increased depression and anxiety, but many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until it is too late.
Just as CPR helps those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.
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Head Start® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | |
Head Start/Early Head Start Elects New Policy Council | |
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Since the inception of the national Head Start program under the Johnson administration in 1965, Policy Council has played a critical role in the development and leadership of programs. Each Head Start program must include a Policy Council, comprised of a majority of parents. Parents are nominated and an election is held on or around election day annually. While every program parent may attend Policy Council meetings, these elected positions are the voting members. Officers are elected by the newly seated Council members and include Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Policy Council Chair is also a parent representative member of the United Children’s Services (UCH) Board, and the Chair of the United Children's Services (UCH) Board attends all Policy Council meetings in the model of shared governance. The Policy Council approves grants, policies, provides input around staffing, and reviews and gives input to School Readiness goals, child outcomes and the program at large, through ongoing monitoring and annual program self-assessment.
We congratulate our newly elected Policy Council at Bennington County Head Start-Early Head Start and look forward to an exciting year of staff, families, and community working together!
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North Bennington Campus
Shelby Kinney-Lang
Christina Levin
Manda Lown
Heather Strain McCormick
Pownal Center
Marina Calvo
Melissa Poirot
Ivy Shays
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Spring Center
Anne Baldwin-Smith
Brittany Ketchum
Harold Lessman
Katelyn Mason
Chris Raetz
Stacey Sherman
Kim Smith
Community Member
Sarah Perry
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Our early childhood education programs offer services designed to meet each child's and family's specific needs in a safe setting. We prepare children and their families for school through collaborative approaches to high quality education, health and social services. We have locations in Bennington, North Bennington, Manchester and Pownal. | |
The demand for our services is ever-increasing. We look forward to meeting the coming year’s challenges by continuing to create innovative programming and realizing the rewards of our hard work—but we can’t do it alone. As we move forward, the relationships we foster allow us to continue building a stronger community. And fundraising is a part of the equation. Our goal is to raise $100,000—please consider contributing today. Your support in any amount makes a difference to so many. |
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Our employees are creative, thoughtful, energetic, forward-thinking and empowered. If you or someone you know wants to make a difference and help those who need it most, consider joining UCS. Visit ucsvt.org/careers and watch the video above to learn more. |
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