Every September, communities and care providers across the nation,
including in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont, recognize National
Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the millions of Americans who are in
recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders—and to
recommit to breaking down barriers to treatment.

This year’s theme, Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life),
highlights the truth that recovery goes far beyond abstinence. It’s about
restoring health, a sense of purpose and overall wellbeing. But achieving
these goals often depends on one critical factor: access to recovery services.

Why Integrating Recovery Services into Primary Care Matters
Recovery begins with hope and the conviction that healing and change are
possible. Building on an individual’s strengths, readiness, and available
resources; recovery is a holistic process that extends beyond symptom
management to encompass the whole person.

For nearly 20 years, Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) has embraced
holistic, patient-centered care through the integration of mental health and
substance use (behavioral health) services within their Primary Care
practices throughout Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Because of this,
NCHC’s Primary Care practices provide not only a medical entry point, but
also a cornerstone of recovery. NCHC’s Primary Care providers are often the
first and most consistent point of contact, ensuring whole-person care that
integrates physical health, mental health, social health, and substance use
support.

“I have heard for years, and from many patients, that it is reassuring to
know that we see them and care for them as entire beings, and not just as
patients with substance use disorder. And that it makes it comfortable and
convenient to receive all services in one place,” says Jeri Wohlberg, Family
Nurse Practitioner at Hardwick Area Health Center and NCHC’s Assistant
Medical Director.

“This program and the ones (who) run it, saved my life. I’ve never felt so
comfortable with a medical team before,” said a patient in recovery from
substance use disorder (SUD) with NCHC’s Hardwick Area Health Center.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic but treatable medical condition.
It occurs when someone continues using alcohol, drugs, or other substances
despite harmful effects on their health, relationships, or daily life.

In 2022, more than 1 in 6 Americans aged 12 and older reported having a
SUD. SUDs can range from mild to severe and can affect anyone, regardless
of race, gender, income, or background.

Substances linked to SUDs include:

•  Alcohol
•  Cannabis
•  Hallucinogens
•  Inhalants
•  Opioids (prescription and illicit)
•  Sedatives, hypnotics, or anti-anxiety drugs
•  Stimulants (like cocaine or methamphetamine)
•  Tobacco/nicotine

Substance use disorders can happen to anyone. Some people begin using
substances to cope with trauma, stress, or mental health conditions. Others
develop SUD after being prescribed opioids for pain. Over time, substance
use can change the brain, creating strong cravings that drive continued use.

Treatment and Recovery
Recovery looks different for every person – there is no single “right way.” For
some, recovery may include counseling, medical treatment including medication, or peer groups; for others, it may involve faith, family support, or self-care practices. Often, it’s a combination.

Because SUD is complex and requires a personalized approach, NCHC
Primary Care teams provide a variety of options for patients including access
to compassionate and specialized staff to address many key components of
recovery:

• Behavioral health care and counseling staff, including psychiatry, for
  support with related mental health needs, understanding triggers and
  building coping skills, and encouraging patient participation in
  meaningful daily activities—like work, school, caring for loved ones,
  volunteering, or exploring creative outlets.
• Community Health Workers and Peer Support Workers to connect
  patients and families to community resources (housing, food,
  transportation), facilitate access to social services, self-management
  programs and peer support groups, and provide guidance and
  encouragement.
• Licensed medical Primary Care providers (Doctors, Nurse Practitioners,
  Physician Assistants) to maintain a schedule of ongoing checkups and
  treatment. Many are trained to prescribe medications that reduce
  cravings or ease withdrawal like those used for Medication for Opioid
  Use Disorder (MOUD) (formerly known as Medication Assisted
  Treatment or MAT), or to provide referrals to specialized care when it
  isn’t available right in the practice.
• MOUD specialists to coordinate medical care, use of medications,
  counseling and behavioral therapies, and support services to provide a
  whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Reducing Stigma
People with SUDs often struggle to stop using substances, even when they
understand the risks, and even when services like those at NCHC Primary
Care practices are available. Overcoming SUD almost always requires more
than “willpower.”

Addiction stigma, the negative and unfair belief that those who develop
SUDs are morally weak and that they should “just quit,” often keeps people
from seeking help. Over time, stigma may become internalized and lead
people to believe that they are of lesser value or unworthy of help because
they can’t tackle SUD on their own.

Understanding SUD as a health condition—and not a personal failure—can
make it easier for individuals and families to access life-saving treatment
and long-term recovery. This understanding and compassionate
environment is one that NCHC Primary Care practices seek to cultivate.

“The research shows us that the biggest reason people don’t reach out for
help with substance use is stigma, and anecdotally, this is what I hear from
patients. It is both heart-breaking and affirming when patients say, ‘I wish I’d
done this 20 years ago.’ We still have a long way to go, but when I hear that,
I know that we have provided a safe space where people feel heard and
supported –and I know we’re on the right track,” says Brook Marcotte, RN at
Hardwick Area Health Center and NCHC MOUD Program Coordinator.

When this type of care is available, recovery is not only possible—it is
happening every day. “My MAT RN is amazing and is so helpful and kind,
and I believe she actually cares about my recovery. She is always advocating
for me, listens to me and helps me in any way that I need,” says a patient at
NCHC’s Hardwick Area Health Center.

Ready When You Are
Seeking treatment for substance use disorders can be scary and
overwhelming. The journey is easier with the right people by your side. At
Northern Counties Health Care, our award-winning team is here to support
you — without judgment, pressure, or stigma. As your local Primary Care
provider, we offer confidential, comprehensive care — no one in the waiting
room will know the reason for your visit. We’re ready when you are to
create a plan that works for you. Take that first brave step and visit
www.nchcvt.org, or call your local Northern Counties clinic in Concord,
Danville, Hardwick, Island Pond, or St. Johnsbury.

About Northern Counties Health Care: 

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC), Vermont’s first Federally Qualified
Health Center, was established in 1976. NCHC’s Mission is to provide high-
quality, accessible, patient-centered health care to the medically
underserved, 2,000+ square mile rural region of VT known as the Northeast
Kingdom (NEK). Annually, NCHC provides quality care to over 20,000
individuals; nearly one-third of the residents of the NEK. Over 64,000
encounters are made each year through a rural network of seven community
health centers – including two walk-in primary care clinics, three dental
centers, and a home health care and hospice division. All NCHC Health
Centers are Patient Centered Medical Homes, recognized by the National
Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). From preventative care,
gynecological care, chronic disease management, and behavioral health
services to dental care, physical therapy, home care and hospice, we provide
complete, compassionate care for the whole family, in our home or yours.
Learn more at www.nchcvt.org

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this article as part of the FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) grant. The award provided 76% of total BHSE program costs and totaled $600,000. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Recovery is REAL in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Federal policy changes are putting pressure on Vermont’s most vulnerable residents—and the nonprofits working to support them. At risk are the programs that form the backbone of survival for thousands of families, older adults, and people with disabilities.

“The proposed cuts don’t trim the fat off the budget—they sever the arteries of rural America,” said Paul Dragon, CVOEO Executive Director.

Among the most alarming developments:

• The FY25 Budget Reconciliation Bill includes cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—stripping health coverage and food assistance from those who need it most.
• The proposed FY26 Budget threatens to eliminate the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), along with other vital programs CVOEO administers.

For CVOEO, this means the potential loss of $1.2 million in CSBG funding, which directly supports hunger relief, housing and shelter, emergency assistance, and more across the Champlain Valley and beyond. These funds are not abstract line items—they are a lifeline.

“The proposed cuts don’t trim the fat off the budget—they sever the arteries of rural America,” said Paul Dragon, CVOEO Executive Director. “When CSBG and programs like LIHEAP and weatherization are eliminated, rural communities like ours are hit the hardest. These services are essential for older Vermonters, children, veterans, and people with disabilities.”

If passed, these cuts will gut vital community health, nutrition, fuel, and utility assistance programs—pushing millions into food insecurity, worsening health outcomes, and leaving homes cold during the winter months.

Despite these looming threats, CVOEO is not backing down. The organization is adapting, working harder, and digging deeper to continue meeting basic needs and empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty.

To stay informed, visit cvoeo.org/updates for the latest developments and actions you can take.

How You Can Help

CVOEO recently launched the Community Action Journal, sharing stories from the frontlines of poverty relief in Vermont. Behind each story is a person striving for stability, dignity, and opportunity.

You can be part of that story. By joining the Community Action Circle as a monthly donor, you help sustain essential programs through uncertain times. Even small contributions provide crucial, flexible support when it’s needed most.

Donate today at cvoeo.org/donate
Because everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, safety, and hope.

Read the story on VTDigger here: In crisis, community leads: CVOEO stands strong as ‘cuts sever the arteries of support’ .

Over the past decade, the way people connect and build community has shifted in meaningful ways. 

As Joshua Smith watched these changes unfold, he noticed something important: while online platforms offered new opportunities, many people around him still craved real, local connection. Around the same time, the owner of WYKR, his hometown radio station, kept joking, “Josh, if you ever want to buy a radio station, let me know.” In 2023, Josh took him up on it.

Based in Wells River and serving parts of northern Vermont and New Hampshire, WYKR is the oldest country radio station in Vermont. True to its roots, Josh is revitalizing what radio was back in the ’70s and ’80s, featuring outdoor shows and programs, broadcasting the local basketball games, and keeping advertising affordable.

Josh is building something enduring. He took over The Bridge Weekly Showcase, a local paper, soon after buying WYKR. He formed Yankee Kingdom Media to sustain and grow both outlets. Local ownership, he notes, ensures the voices and stories of his community are heard. And it enhances the symbiotic relationship between local businesses. “Keeping local media local and independent? We can’t take it for granted,” he says. 

“I don’t know where I would have ended up.”

When Josh reflects on where he started—a disengaged student from rural Vermont—he’s clear about one thing: “I wouldn’t be here without VSAC believing in me.”

A self-professed theater kid at Blue Mountain Union High School, Josh wasn’t sure about college. His three brothers didn’t go, and although his parents wanted him to continue his education, he knew they couldn’t pay for it. Then, junior year, he began meeting monthly with a VSAC outreach counselor from VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program.

“My outreach counselor guided me through the entire process and took away any barriers I perceived. She also helped me remove the barriers of funding. She reinforced the fact that education is a right, not a privilege.”

Josh’s VSAC counselor helped him with his applications and financial aid paperwork, and coached him on what to expect in college. “VSAC looked at me and saw the full future version of me. Not my test scores, not my grades. Me,” he says.

Josh’s theater teacher had friends who taught at Webster University in Saint Louis, and they encouraged him to apply. So he did, along with a slate of other schools, all of which he was accepted to. Webster remained his first choice—and he ended up with a financial aid package that made it possible for him to go. 

From art school to international service

Josh originally dreamed of becoming a children’s book illustrator. Over the course of his college years, however, his perspective began to shift. He joined the Peace Corps after college, which changed everything, and high school French classes landed him a position in Niger. 

After being in Niger for two years, Josh renewed his option to stay for another two years. “I lived in a mud hut and pulled my own water from a well. And while there, I read all the books I was supposed to read in high school.” 

Josh’s Peace Corps experience ignited a passion for international service. He went on to earn a master’s in International Education from the School for International Training in Brattleboro and spent the next 12 years working with global humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and Action Against Hunger. From Pakistan to the Philippines, Libya to Nigeria, Joshua managed the complex logistics of getting food and medical supplies to those in crisis.

“I repaired ambulances in Libya during the revolution and had a machine gun pointed in my face. Along with survival, the logistical challenges of getting food and medical supplies to places during a crisis were mine to solve.”

But even while doing this high-stakes work, he never forgot his roots—or the people who helped get him started. “The key to success is showing up and believing in yourself,” he said. “My self-confidence really came from working with VSAC. They made me feel comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you’re a teenager, there is no self-confidence. When you have someone who believes in your potential more than you do, especially when it’s an adult—that’s powerful.”

“I don’t believe in one career for the rest of your life. I’m on my third.”

After marrying his wife, Edith (whom he met while working in Niger), and moving back to Vermont, Joshua earned an MBA from Norwich University and dove into the nonprofit world. He led an organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities and sat on several local boards before the opportunity to purchase WYKR came about. 

Now 49, at the helm of Yankee Kingdom Media and living in Morrisville with his wife and three children, one of Josh’s greatest joys is hosting a podcast—Vermont Authors and Artists—bringing together his lifelong love of creativity, service, and conversation.

Through it all, he carries forward his commitment to continuous curiosity—something he learned in theater and through the arts and is now passing on to his children.

“I don’t believe in one career for the rest of your life,” he notes. “I’m on my third. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have seen this career coming.”

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: From rural roots to global impact: A Vermont media leader’s journey home.

For nearly 20 years, Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) has embraced the integration of behavioral health and primary care. As one of Vermont’s pioneering Medical Homes in the Blueprint for Health initiative, NCHC has long embodied the state’s vision of comprehensive, coordinated care.

Today, with five Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) primary care clinics, and two walk-in Express Care sites in Newport and St. Johnsbury, NCHC continues to set the standard for integrated services in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK).

“By integrating behavioral health within our primary care clinics, we’ve fundamentally transformed our approach to care. We’ve broken down the barriers of stigma and fragmentation, ensuring that every patient receives whole-person care, seamlessly and conveniently, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for our community and a more rewarding practice for our providers,” says Jesse Dimick, NCHC’s Director of FQHC Operations.

Recently, NCHC was awarded the prestigious National Quality Leader – Behavioral Health badge from the Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) Community Health Quality Recognition program, placing it among a select group of U.S. health centers, and the only one in Vermont, recognized for excellence in behavioral health care.

What Behavioral Health Means

Behavioral health includes our mental, emotional, and social well-being, as well as the services that prevent and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use. Because physical and behavioral health affect one another, challenges in one area can worsen the other. Addressing the whole person—body and mind—is key to long-term health. That’s where integration of behavioral health care into primary care comes in.

What Integration Looks Like

Integration is more than co-locating services. At NCHC, each clinic offers access to licensed behavioral health counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, Peer Support Workers, and Opioid Use Disorder Care Coordinators.

These behavioral health specialists work as a team with medical providers, nurses and community health workers —sharing information, coordinating care, and supporting patients together. That means:

·       Easier access to behavioral health support in the same place you receive primary care.

·       Fewer delays and smoother transitions—your provider can connect you to help right away.

·       Care that treats you as a whole person.

“Not everyone feels comfortable or knows where to start when it comes to finding behavioral health care, especially in rural communities,” says Claudia Alexander, LICSW, Behavioral Health Program Manager at NCHC. “At NCHC, we make it a seamless part of your visit with a primary care provider. You might find out you have high blood pressure and share that life has been stressful lately — your provider can then introduce you to one of our Peer Support Workers or counselors, and you can schedule a follow-up before you even leave the clinic. We can usually get people in with a member of our behavioral health team within one to two weeks.”

Overcoming Barriers

Historically, primary care and behavioral health operated in silos, with separate systems, funding, and even records. Barriers like insurance rules, provider shortages, and stigma have made access difficult—especially in rural areas like the NEK.  But integration breaks down those barriers by making behavioral health a natural part of a primary care visit.

“There are lots of barriers to accessing mental health and substance use treatment services… especially here in the NEK.  Awareness of the right resources which are affordable or covered by insurance…that’s a big one.  Also stigma about getting treatment since its expected that people can just cope with everything that comes their way and somehow its shameful to need help. That’s huge.  Getting a referral for treatment or services can mean a long wait time, or delay or miscommunication between providers.  That’s frustrating and inconvenient,” said a patient at NCHC’s St. Johnsbury Community Health Center.  “When services are right there in your primary care provider’s office, you don’t have to deal with those barriers because your provider has spoken to you about the services and maybe even made an internal referral or a warm handoff that day to someone else who can help. And if my provider recommends something to me, I tend to take it to heart and try to follow her advice – I trust her.”

Support and Investment

Research shows that integrated care improves both physical and behavioral health outcomes.  Integrated care improves the patient experience of care and gets rid of several of the biggest barriers that people have to accessing behavioral health services: awareness, time, convenience, cost, fragmentation and stigma.

Integration also improves staff and provider experience.  “A patient arrived for a scheduled office visit ready to engage with substance use treatment. Stephanie Gochie, our Peer Support Worker, sat with her, explained what needed to happen, and stayed with the patient while she made the phone call to the rehab facility. Steph probably spent 30 minutes or more that neither the provider nor rooming staff would have been able to spend, and the patient received support and encouragement while making that difficult call,” said Gianna Menapace-Drew, APRN at Concord Health Center.

But sustaining and deepening integration takes time, effort and resources.  Since 2023, NCHC has participated in the Vermont Blueprint for Health’s Mental Health Integration into Primary Care initiative, expanding services and adding Peer Support Workers to the care team.

In 2024, NCHC received a Behavioral Health Service Expansion grant from HRSA, one of only three FQHCs in Vermont to earn this competitive award.  With support from the grant, NCHC expanded access to mental health and substance use care by hiring Peer Support Workers in the two Express Care locations, improving access to support in walkable locations and outside traditional hours.  NCHC also invested in specialized trainings—like hosting the region’s first in-person EMDR training—so staff can better meet the diverse needs of patients. The grant also allowed expanded opioid use treatment through new staffing, extended hours, and a partnership with EMS to build rapid-access pathways.

Ready When You Are

At Northern Counties Health Care, your mental health matters—just as much as your physical health. Whether you’re coping with loss, big life changes, work stress, or trying to cut back on drinking, our award-winning team is here for you. We have compassionate, specialized staff ready when you are—right where you get your primary care. 

Learn more at www.nchcvt.org  or call your local Northern Counties clinic in Concord, Danville, Hardwick, Island Pond, or St. Johnsbury.

About Northern Counties Health Care:

Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC), Vermont’s first Federally Qualified Health Center, was established in 1976. NCHC’s Mission is to provide high-quality, accessible, patient-centered health care to the medically underserved, 2,000+ square mile rural region of VT known as the Northeast Kingdom (NEK). Annually, NCHC provides quality care to over 20,000 individuals; nearly one-third of the residents of the NEK. Over 64,000 encounters are made each year through a rural network of seven community health centers – including two walk-in primary care clinics, three dental centers, and a home health care and hospice division.  All NCHC Health Centers are Patient Centered Medical Homes, recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). From preventative care, gynecological care, chronic disease management, and behavioral health services to dental care, physical therapy, home care and hospice, we provide complete, compassionate care for the whole family, in our home or yours.  Learn more at www.nchcvt.org

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this article as part of the FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) grant. The award provided 76% of total BHSE program costs and totaled $600,000. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Mental health is health.

No matter where you are in life, September may often feel like back-to-school season. Today we share words from students we’ve featured in VSAC Spotlights, as they reflect upon how learning and education has opened doors to opportunity. In their own words: 

“My goal is to become the type of teacher I would have wanted to have.” 

Hannah Jenkins (she/them) realized teaching would offer her a sustainable way to continue to pursue music—and that path required a college degree. Focused on her future as an educator (and now pursuing visual arts rather than music), she’s on track to graduate in spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a bachelor’s in K-12 art education from Vermont State University’s Johnson campus. 

Hannah is part of the TRIO program, which provides tutoring and advisory help for modest-income or first-generation students who may need additional support in college. TRIO connected Hannah with services for learning challenges and helped her identify VSAC scholarships and loans that are helping them save tens of thousands of dollars. It’s allowing Hannah to pursue a career that’s right in tune with her personal mission: helping others. 

My goal is to become the type of teacher I would have wanted to have. Because I’ve struggled with undiagnosed disabilities, I understand how students can struggle academically and how much that can harm their confidence. I want to be a teacher who’s willing to listen to those students and adapt their teaching style to help them be successful. It takes time and patience, but it’s so important.

“Living healthy provides the energy to reach your personal goal, whatever that may be.”

For Prince Awhaitey, health is a family business. His mom owns her own African grocery store in Burlington, where he moved with his parents and younger sister right before he started high school. Inspired by his mom’s desire to help people with healthy food, Prince’s initial aspiration in college was to be a nurse or physician’s assistant. After his first nutrition class at Virginia State University, he knew he’d found his passion and switched majors to graduate with a bachelor’s in dietetics. 

He earned a master’s degree in special education from Virginia State and a master’s in nutrition and food science from the University of Vermont. When he decided he wanted to earn his dietician’s license, he turned to VSAC. Prince first became familiar with VSAC in high school, as a source of college loans, and then found that VSAC could offer financial support for a non-degree program too. He now has almost completed his course of study, which is an online dietetics certification program offered through the University of North Florida.

Prince’s interest in health is also reflected in his business, The Coco Bar, which helps support corporate wellness programs that inspire employees to optimize their nutrition and physical activity. The Coco Bar sells customized coconuts, which Prince laser-engraves with corporate logos, for organizations to give away as promotional items. 

“It’s a sustainable giveaway that promotes health. It’s more exotic than a stress ball or a keychain, and it doesn’t end up in the landfill. You can drink the water, you can eat the coconut meat or use it in cooking, and you can make the husk into a candle or keep it as a souvenir. People love it,” he says.

Prince is motivated by his interest in teaching people about the benefits of healthy eating and sees tremendous opportunities for people in Vermont. It is that perspective that convinced him to invest in his education. 

“The experience I have has given me the confidence to basically build my own brand.”

“How do I get on that boat?”

Shavonna Bent looked forward to her family’s annual summer visit to the ocean in Falmouth, MA, but she especially loved visiting the Woods Hole Science Aquarium, where her interest in oceanography was kindled. She got her undergraduate degree in Biology from the Johnson campus of Vermont State University and her education journey came full circle as she’s just completed her PhD program in Chemical Oceanography at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she did indeed get to board the boat of her childhood dreams. 

As part of her doctoral research, Shavonna has traveled three times from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Palmer Station, one of three U.S. research bases on the coast of Antarctica. The four-day boat ride crosses some of the toughest seas in the world. In Antarctica, she and her team studied how climate change is impacting the ecosystem of Antarctica’s Southern Ocean, a region that plays a critical role in removing carbon from the atmosphere.

As she wrote her dissertation this spring, Shavonna reflected on how she got to Antarctica from Randolph, Vermont. As a first-generation college student, she found the college application process overwhelming, so she worked closely with VSAC’s Talent Search program and her VSAC Outreach Counselor, who helped her navigate the admissions process, financial aid, logistics, and more. She had incredible mentors along the way, like her professors and the scientists she conducted research with. Her advice to others?

“You’ve got to be adventurous and bold. Go after what you want.”

“He taught me everything I know.”

Jared Preseau credits his grandfather with a lot—teaching him to hunt and fish, how to hay, and letting Jared look over his shoulder as he worked on the family farm’s equipment. He also wanted Jared to go to college. Jared’s grandfather passed away two years ago, but his legacy and mechanical knowledge live on through his grandson. 

While Jared was initially opposed to taking his grandfather’s advice on formal education, he reflected on his plans and started to think about what a college education could mean for him. Through VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program, he began to meet with his VSAC Outreach Counselor; his next step was attending a college fair. 

Jared ultimately chose Northern Maine Community College for its diesel and hydraulics program, and its affordable tuition. Jared is starting there now, and he’s already got a jumpstart through hands-on learning. His experiences have given him an approach that will serve him for life:

“If I break something, I’ll just try again and figure out how to do it. That’s the only way you’re going to learn.”

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Back to School: Learning transforms dreams into opportunities.

When Pascaline Furaha was about to enroll in Early College at the start of her senior year at Winooski High School, she had her share of detractors. “Several people told me it was risky, and that I might not finish,” she says. But rather than listen to the doubters, she stayed focused. “It wasn’t about them. It’s about me.”

Early College is a program for Vermont high school seniors that allows them to spend their year taking college courses at a Vermont college, simultaneously fulfilling their high school graduation requirements and earning college credit toward a degree.

While Pascaline knew the college work would be a challenge, she also believed she could do it. “I’ve watched other people who came from Africa before me go on to earn degrees. I can also be the one to keep going and go that far.”

Pascaline came to the United States at age 12 from a refugee camp in Burundi, east Africa, where she was born after her parents fled their native Congo to escape war. While life in the camp was hard in many respects, Pascaline remembers the feeling of togetherness in the community, visiting the market with her aunts and playing with all the other kids in the rain. When someone would die—as her own mother did during their time in Burundi—everyone in the camp would come together to comfort the family. As more Africans emigrated to Vermont, she, her father, and her five siblings are starting to rebuild the strong community ties they remember. 

When Pascaline arrived in Vermont in 2019, she only spoke Swahili and a little bit of Kurundi. “Learning English was challenging for me. It was very complicated,” she recalls. Now, she faces a different language challenge, as she finds she’s starting to forget her Swahili. “When I see someone who speaks the same language as me, it’s hard to speak Swahili the whole time without using English,” she says. 

At home, her family speaks a mix of languages, but the conversations have moved more to English as they’ve all improved their fluency. Pascaline’s dad works at UVM Medical Center, and her two older brothers—23 and 22—are now working as well after taking some college courses. Pascaline, now 19, is continuing her studies at the Community College of Vermont, while her younger siblings, ages 18, 15 and 13, are at Burlington High School and Edmunds Middle School.  

Pascaline enjoyed the diverse and supportive community at Winooski High School, which provided a weekly opportunity for the students from Congo, Somalia, and other African nations to share their cultural experiences. The Friday program, called Story, sees students read poems, share memories of pastimes and celebrations, play cultural music and explain cultural patterns of dress, “to break stereotypes about Africa and help Americans understand that it’s not just a place of war,” Pascaline explains. “My school encouraged that diversity, and I really enjoyed that,” she says. 

Pascaline also appreciates the strong relationships she formed with her teachers. “It was always very important to me to build good friendships with my teachers, because they were able to help me and my family.”

Pascaline also found a lot of help and support in VSAC’s GEAR UP college and career readiness program, which she participated in from the ninth grade. GEAR UP offers support to students who wish to continue their education after high school, either through traditional college or through technical and career training programs, by providing financial assistance, scholarships, and college and career counseling. 

Stevya Mukuzo, the VSAC Outreach Counselor who works with students at Winooski, got to know Pascaline well during her four years. “Pascaline’s dedication to her studies is truly inspiring. She consistently seeks out challenging coursework and goes above and beyond to master each subject. Her peers call her a ‘go-getter’ because her positive attitude sheds light on the ability to achieve anything if there is a will.” 

Pascaline knew she was college-bound since she arrived in America. At first, her family encouraged her to become a doctor, but her aspirations shifted as she became more drawn to social justice. Her current career plan is to pursue social work, then hopefully go on to law school.

“I’ve seen so many people struggling in this world, and it hurts me. I’d like to be able to make a difference,” Pascaline says. “There are so many ways to help people, but social work and law is what appeals most to me. I’m very passionate for standing up for what is right, and I want to live in a world where I feel like I have done something to help.”

Having watched her two older brothers struggle with the transition from high school to college, Pascaline took a different path to help build more resilience. VSAC introduced her to the Early College program, and Pascaline was all in. 

“I went for Early College because I didn’t want to jump right into university. I wanted to learn more about college first,” she explains. “I made the best decision. I’m now confident I can go to college and be ready for it, because I’ve already experienced it.” 

Last year, Pascaline took classes in anthropology, intercultural communication, psychology, English, and race and ethnicity. This year, she plans to complete her associate’s degree at CCV before applying to schools for her bachelor’s. She’s intrigued by UVM’s “plus-one” program, where she could study an additional year to earn a master’s degree. 

While she’s had to work hard in school, she’s felt a wealth of support, from her teachers to her VSAC counselor, to leaders of her family and her faith. Her father’s pride has been a major source of encouragement. “I know my dad is talking about me, continuing my school, and that pushes me a lot,” says Pascaline. Her Pentecostal faith is also an important part of her life, and various spiritual leaders—from prayer leaders in Burundi, to those in an online group she’s been active in since arriving in America—have always told her to take school seriously. 

Pascaline has found the work very challenging and stressful at times. But whenever she heard the words “you’re failing” in her head, she also told herself, “I was the one who chose this, and I will be the one to finish it.”   

“It may be difficult, but in the end, I know I will see the benefits, and I’ll be thankful I didn’t give up. School is very important to me. A college degree opens doors.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Pascaline Furaha defies doubt and finds her future through Early College .

When Norah Harwood learned during her senior year at White River Valley High School that she had received a full scholarship from a university in a neighboring state, she was excited and grateful—but she didn’t immediately commit. “Other people told me I’d be stupid not to go there. It was the best financial choice. But when I visited the campus, it didn’t feel right,” she recalls.

Norah has never been one to opt for an easier path if she sees a better growth opportunity. In high school, she completed almost 10 more credits than she needed to graduate, seeing high school classes as a way to explore possible career paths. Over the last four summers, she’s worked 45 hours a week at the Bethel town pool, rising from the bottom of the ladder at age 15 to head lifeguard. 

In terms of college choices, that one school’s urban New England location didn’t match Norah’s dreams of westward exploration. “I’ve always wanted to be out west. I love Vermont, but I want to go farther. None of my family has ever left the New England area, and I want something different.” 

While neither of her parents went to college, Norah always felt that, for her, college was a given. “I’ve always been highly motivated to do well in school and be independent. The people around me are like that too, and we all lift each other up.”

Norah’s closest friends, who are a year older and went through the college process the year before, gave her a lot of tips, from how many schools to apply to, to balancing reach and target schools, to how scholarships work. “I credit a lot of my knowledge to my best friends, Anna Stratton and Anita Miller,” says Norah. “We’ve stayed in touch about how their freshman year went.”

Norah also received guidance through VSAC’s Talent Search program, which offers support, and financial assistance for college-bound students who are first-generation or from modest-income families. As part of Talent Search, Norah worked with VSAC outreach counselor Beth Clay for three years during high school. “I’ve always been actively involved in Talent Search. I knew even in middle school that it would be a great asset. They’re so willing to help. I’m so grateful for VSAC and for Beth. They’ve helped me so much, this year more than ever, and especially with the financial aspects.”

In January, when Beth presented Norah’s Talent Search group with VSAC’s senior year checklist, Norah remembers feeling overwhelmed. “I was really stressed, and Beth calmed me down. She also helped me script out conversations with financial aid offices. And in March, she came and met with my parents, who knew nothing about how college loans work. It was super helpful for all of us to have that information.” 

Beth recalls that evening at Norah’s mom’s home in South Royalton. “I met with Norah and her parents to review the cost breakdown for college, before we knew anything about scholarship awards. Norah had everything meticulously organized, had already taken notes on questions and concerns, and was prepared to discuss everything in depth.” 

In the end, loans were a moot point; thanks to a combination of grants and scholarships, Norah has her college expenses covered without having to borrow. “I’m so grateful. I received so much more than I predicted, and I’m so over the moon about that,” Norah says.

Beth admires Norah’s maturity, drive, and self-advocacy. “Norah is a focused and committed young adult. She has worked so hard to make sure that her expenses for college are completely covered through scholarships and grants,” she says, adding that she received her first scholarship when she was a junior.

Following her calling to explore life out west, Norah planned a college tour in Colorado last summer with her dad and her boyfriend, and she loved the area. She still applied to several New England schools as well, and she compared schools located in New England with Western Colorado State University in Gunnison, a school she’d learned about via Instagram posts from an older soccer teammate. “I saw these pictures she was posting of this beautiful campus,” Norah recalls, and her visit confirmed what she’d seen on social media. “There are great New England schools, but I felt they were the safe choice. So I chose Western.”

Both of her parents were very supportive—once they overcame their worries about their oldest daughter moving so far away. Norah concedes she felt a bit intimidated as well. “I’ll be moving across the country. I know I’ll miss my parents and my younger sister, but I’m also pretty independent. This was the best choice I could have made for myself.”

In terms of possible career choices, Norah learned through her high school courses that she was drawn to the sciences; her favorite classes were human anatomy, biology, and chemistry. She also loves sports, having competed all four years with her school’s soccer team and the track and field program. After observing her mom’s work as a medical assistant, Norah realized that she, too, enjoys helping others, and she’s considering becoming a physical therapist. Her personal experience of the benefits of physical therapy, which helped her ease back into high-impact sports after a head injury from a snowmobile accident two years ago, also pointed her in that direction. 

Then again, having managed social media content for her high school athletic department, she’s also interested in digital marketing. “I used to do the posts for game days and so on, and I really enjoyed that. Maybe I could combine those interests in some way, doing sports marketing or health and wellness marketing.” 

Norah plans to major in exercise science. And the school she chose will literally get her to the top of that field; Western Colorado State has the highest-elevation exercise facility in the world. 

While Norah is grateful for all the support, she also knows she can take pride in the effort that got her there. “I’ve had lots of friends say to me, ‘you’re so lucky to be able to go to Colorado,’ but it was also hard work to be able to do this for myself. I’m really excited.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: A motivated, first-generation student heads out west for college, scholarships in hand.

Vermont Author I.M. Aiken can’t stop writing about Vermont and Vermonters. The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County (Flare Books, 2024) stars enigmatic EMT/Paramedic Alex Flynn and explores the psychological toll of responding to 911 calls. In Stolen Mountain (forthcoming 2025, Flare Books), Alex’s mentee Brighid Doran takes over the narrative, turning sleuth to fight crooked ski lodge developers, while continuing to respond to rescue calls. In the ongoing Trowbridge Dispatch series of short stories that focus on the characters’ emotional journeys, set in the fictional town of Trowbridge, Vermont, members of the rescue team take turns narrating their experiences, with results that veer from the tragic (“The Joker”; Flare Books, 2025) to the absurd (“The Curious”; Flare Books, 2025) to the hilarious (“First Corn”; Flare Books, 2025).

Since her main characters are EMS personnel, Aiken’s novels focus on our present health care crisis. The fictional rescue team follows the tiny dramas of emergency calls. While the plights of those in need of medical care are exposed, the focus is on the struggles of these unsung heroes who brave poor conditions, outdated equipment, and bureaucracy to answer their community’s calls for help, in the process putting their own physical and mental health at risk. 

Many emergency service providers, in Vermont and across the US, work on a volunteer basis or are severely undercompensated, especially those that serve rural areas, as noted in a recent video from Vox. Others face disjointed, fractured workplace cultures. This lack of compensation and lack of supportive culture only adds to the trauma, as rescue workers must sometimes leave paid work to serve their communities, only to be demoralized on the job, which makes it all the more difficult to perform their service and maintain their own physical and mental health. 

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and others, these issues are front and center today. For instance, the Emergency Service Provider (ESP) Wellness Commission, a 25-person commission, was established in May 2021 “support/aid to all of Vermont’s emergency service providers.” In their 2024 report, the Commission prioritizes ESP wellness conferences and mental health and well-being training; increases awareness of and participation in peer support groups; and has expanded the Worker’s Compensation PTSD presumption laws to include all emergency support personnel sectors. 

While much still needs to be done, and we still need to draw national attention to the crisis in rural health care that we have experienced for years and may continue to experience for the foreseeable future, we can be grateful for the tireless efforts of volunteer EMS and politicians who are working to draw attention to the problem.

We asked Aiken for some background about her work with a couple of candid questions:

Q: Most of your characters take on the role of rescuer. What can you tell us about the theme of rescue in your book?

A: My novels explore my own life. I spent a lot of it as an EMT, firefighter, medic, and crisis manager. I hopped on an inner city ambulance at 20, flew to Baghdad for a year when I was 40, and, after crossing 50, I recognized the impact my decisions had made on me. I have faced sleep troubles, social issues, anxiety, a zealous startle response, and other symptoms that I carry through my days and nights. Laying down at night, I feel underappreciated as I tend to remember the hostilities and trauma of my daily work. In The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County, I asked, “What happens if you are not the hero of your own story?” You spend your life in public service. You’ve saved lives and made a few terrible situations slightly less terrible. You/me/rescuer steps into the spaces most run from. It changes us, sharpens us, tunes us for trouble. It then becomes difficult to turn that off—ever. To this day, I carry a tourniquet, medical gloves, and a trauma dressing everywhere I go. I think I’d like to put that down now. I can’t figure out how to let go.

If rescuers and public servants feel heard, seen, or represented in my books, then I’ve done my job. I am asking readers to understand the sacrifices that we, rescuers, choose to make, the actions we completed, and how this costs us as we age.

Q: The image of a fireman frozen on a ladder in your short story “The Fireman’s Statue” (Flare Books, 2025) is stunning. Where did this image come from? What do you hope readers come away with from this story? 

A: I was there. In this story, a volunteer firefighter climbed a ladder just after midnight on a freezing New Year’s Eve. He anchored himself outside the second story, holding a hose that he used to dowse the upstairs’ rooms. He froze in place and never yielded his duty. I respected him that night while recognizing that this fellow was hated by many and loved by few. Our communities depend on these people and many of us fail to recognize the dedication of people like him.

Recently, one of the kids we raised is still working on ambulances as a medic and volunteers on a rural fire company. Every day, our public service agencies struggle to keep volunteers. The agencies also struggle with unhealthy human dynamics: members hating on each other, meanness, jealousy, pettiness. In a way, the work culture around emergency services destroys these same teams that communities ask to respond to 911 calls. 

Let’s Talk About This

Help by getting involved. Help by asking how your community is solving these problems. Buy a book by I.M Aiken and help start a conversation in your community around rural healthcare and emergency medicine. All of Aiken’s works are available via the links above, or by visiting your favorite independent Vermont bookstore. All works by I.M. Aiken, including Little Ambulance War, are also available as audio books read by the author, a treat not to be missed. (The audio for Stolen Mountain will be available for preorder soon, so do keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked up for it).

Read the story on VTDigger here: Author Aiken’s novels echo Bernie’s concerns about Vermont’s health care crisis.

“I have to learn to let the story breathe. I am performing. I am acting as I read.” — I.M. Aiken on recording audiobooks

For I.M. Aiken, writing is a process that isn’t just about writing. It is also about speaking her vision and characters to life. As a author diagnosed early with dyslexia who struggled mightily discerning words/stories/information from those symbols we call letters on the page, “reading became joyful” for Aiken when she “started getting books-on-tape.”

She says, “My first memory of an audio book is a record album set (LP) of EB White reading Charlotte’s Web. I would listen often. I also had a recording of the Velveteen Rabbit, but that was so sad.” 

Her collection of physical audio books is massive and includes a course on Shakespeare from the 1980s and copious amounts of fiction. “There are over thirty years of audiobooks in this house,” she reveals.

After writing three Trowbridge Vermont novels in rapid succession—The Little Ambulance War (2024), Stolen Mountain (forthcoming, 2025), and Captain Henry (forthcoming, 2026)—IM Aiken has turned her pen to short stories—or as her publicist refers to them, “micro-masterpieces”—for The Trowbridge Dispatch (2025, 2026), offering readers a deeper, more intimate look at Vermont and the Vermonters who populate the novels. 

The main characters in Aiken’s work are ambulance drivers, first responders, rescue workers, military folks, people who have something to stand for, people who do for others, though always in a nonchalant, “this is just my job” sort of way that masks their discomfort, physical and emotional pain, and trauma, even if they manage to ask, “Who is rescuing we rescuers?” 

Given the love affair between Aiken and the audiobook, it’s only natural that she would want to offer that level of joy and access to her own readers. She records her own audiobooks for all her works. As effortlessly as the words seem to flow from her tongue, the amount of work that goes into recording one’s own audiobook might be surprising—from initial recording, to painstaking editing, to sending it off to a sound engineer for final polishing. Aiken has also recently revamped her sound studio with state-of-the-art equipment, which she is kind enough to describe for us:

“My studio is a niche in a dormer window draped with wool. To my left is my radio-voice mic (a Shure SM7B), in front of me is my laptop with the manuscript displayed, to my right is the small multi-channel recorder/mixer. I tend to fail with fidelity between my reading and the words I wrote. After recording, I adjust text and I adjust audio. I want to feel something when I read.” Aiken continues:

“Should I admit to embarrassment when I make myself laugh? I cannot read the final paragraphs of The Little Ambulance War without choking up—which I then later hear on the tape.

The first pass editing happens in my office where I have four monitors. Audio waves here, narrative there, annoying email being annoying. On the “tape”, I trim small mouth noises, and add silence. Yes,I add silence. Having now recorded two novels (twenty-six combined hours) and a dozen short stories, I must remember, the effort to record a book is likely treble the effort of simply reading silently.”

Aiken says that when she reads a work aloud in the recording process, speaking each character’s lines, a next level of magic happens, and the story more fully reveals itself in her sometimes deadpan, sometime intense emotion; hear her break into joyous song in the decadent, buttery “First Corn” (2025, Trowbridge Dispatch), or hear her voice break in pain with the ever-so-intimate “The Joker” (2025, Trowbridge Dispatch -13 minute audio/written short story at Amazon, Libro.FM and others). 

At once hilarious, gorgeous, honest, elegant, messy, comforting, visceral, painful, immaculate, much of Aiken’s work sticks close to Vermont, its land and roads and mountains and hills, its laws and its history, its traditions, its needs and wants—and gives it all the attention it deserves. (Yes, we can surely taste the maple syrup and breathe the piney air.) This becomes all the more a treat when read by Aiken in her ever-delightful brogue.

According to the American Audiobook Association, audiobooks were born in vinyl, in the spirit of accessibility, starting with the Talking Book Program, in the early 1930s, which saw test recordings (in vinyl) of works by Helen Keller and Edgar Allen Poe. This was followed by a steady climb in popularity and production, aligned with the emergence of new technologies, and we now spend billions a year on audiobooks, which have become a go-to format for people of all ages. We listen while we drive, jog, cook, play, work, workout, relax, and educate ourselves.

All that being said, we pass the mic back to Aiken:

“My last confession… I will listen to my own audiobooks and my own short stories. It is centering and soothing. Sometimes, I surprise myself with phrasing, emotions, or movement. That’s not supposed to happen is it?”

To fully experience Aiken’s works, even print lovers will be wise to read along with the audio book version—her wit, sardonic humor, deep love for humanity, and intense passion for life cannot be fully experienced without it. For those of you who live for your audiobooks, please put these on your list—your ears will thank you.

Click the links below to get to Aiken’s work, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for Stolen Mountain, which is available for preorder now.

Trowbridge Dispatch

The Joker Audio version

The Little Ambulance War Audio version

Read the story on VTDigger here: Labors of love of accessibility.

Health care costs can quickly add up as a result of a routine check-up or something more serious, like a trip to the emergency room. But what if we told you that there is a way to help control costs individually and across Vermont, just by having your health information shared seamlessly between the members of your care team?

98.9% of Vermonters share health data with their providers through VITL, the state’s independent nonprofit health data network. VITL gives doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, care coordinators, and other qualified health care providers a centralized place to access a more complete, up-to-date patient record, including information from most of the places Vermonters receive care all across the state. This supports your provider in delivering informed, safe, and cost-effective care when and where you need it.

Slowing the growth of health care costs while continuing to provide great care for patients is a shared goal across Vermont, and health data exchange plays a key role in achieving it. How exactly will this sharing help slow the growth in health care costs in the state, and what does health information sharing mean? Let’s take a deeper look.

What is health information sharing?

Health information sharing means that your personal health record, which includes things like medications, allergies, immunizations, test results, diagnoses, and provider notes, is securely shared among the health care professionals who treat you.

Hospitals and providers’ offices keep records of the care they give you; VITL brings these records together. This way, your care team can get a full picture of your health, no matter where in Vermont you’ve received or will receive care. And you don’t have to worry about remembering every past immunization or test result; your record travels with you.

How does health information sharing reduce costs?

When your providers can access a more complete picture of your health, they can avoid unnecessary and costly steps, like ordering duplicate lab tests, prescribing medication that won’t interact well with others you’re taking, or repeating X-rays you’ve already had at another clinic.

For example, if you visit the emergency room, having instant access to your recent lab work and imaging reports means the ER staff won’t need to run those tests again. That can lead to better outcomes for patients and slower growth in health care costs across the state over time.

When essential health data is right at hand, right away, providers and health care staff spend less time making and responding to records requests, freeing up time for care and saving administrative costs. 

Studies conducted across the United States have demonstrated the impact of health data sharing, ranging from reduced hospital readmissions and associated cost savings, to overall reductions in health care spending. In short, health information sharing helps cut down on waste and improve care, benefiting you as well as Vermont’s health care system. 

Is sharing health information safe?

Privacy and security are a priority for VITL and built into every step of the health data exchange process. Only authorized providers and staff of participating health care provider organizations can access your information — and only for specific, approved purposes. Records are also available to public health professionals for their work to keep Vermonters healthy and well. And care managers and other staff at public and private health insurance providers can use VITL data for limited purposes that support timely, high-quality, cost-effective care. Everyone using VITL is required to follow strict state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA, and access is tracked and monitored.

Health care should be affordable for everyone. There is no single solution to slowing the growth of health care costs, but we know that safe, efficient health data sharing is one of the many tools needed to build a more sustainable health care system.

Learn more about your options, including the ability to opt out of your record being viewed, at vitl.net/sharing. The VITL team is available to talk with you and answer questions about health information sharing. VITL’s toll-free number is 1-888-980-1243.  If you have opted out in the past and have changed your mind, you can also contact VITL to opt back in.  

Read the story on VTDigger here: The surprising way you can help slow the growth of health care costs in Vermont .

When Joseph Gallant, a senior at Hartford High School, passed his Licensed Nursing Assistant exam this spring, his LNA course and exam fee were covered by a scholarship from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The foundation also offered a college scholarship, and when some of his teachers and counselors suggested he apply, Joseph decided to go for it. But he wasn’t prepared for the response he received a month later. 

“I was just shocked,” Joseph says. “I didn’t think it was real.”

Joseph received a substantial scholarship that will cover most of his four-year tuition at Colby-Sawyer College, where he’ll enroll this fall to study nursing. The award means that he will have zero debt coming out of college.  

Beth Clay has advised Joseph on the college process for the last three years through VSAC’s Talent Search, a program that helps students explore and enroll in career and postsecondary education options. Beth remembers that day well. “When Joseph sent me the screen shot about his scholarship award and asked if it was real, I responded immediately with ‘Of course it is! You’ve worked hard to make this a reality!’ But he was stunned. He actually called the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to follow up and make sure it wasn’t a typo.”  

“I was sure they had put in an extra zero, or that it was supposed to go to another person. I didn’t believe that it could be mine,” Joseph recalls. “I was just blown away.”

Inspired by his grandparents

Growing up, Joseph always imagined he would go to college—a goal inspired by his maternal grandfather. “My Papa’s biggest thing is education,” says Joseph. “He wasn’t able to go to college himself, but he always believed that college helps you grow as a person and sets you up for a richer life experience, even if you don’t get a job in the field you go for. I also believe that education can carry us forward, whether that’s college or trade school. But having that traditional college experience—I just really wanted that, and I think that started with him.”

While family is the first thing Joseph talks about when he introduces himself—beginning his story with his gratitude for his entire family, from his mom and dad to his two younger siblings to his cousins—his grandparents have been his guiding force. 

“While I always had my mom and dad, I have an especially strong connection with my grandparents. They taught me how to hold myself accountable and how to be a good person, and that set the basis for my connection with others throughout my life.”

Joseph and his siblings lived with their Mimi and Papa in Quechee until Joseph was seven, when they moved to their house in White River Junction. His family still has dinner with Mimi and Papa once a week, and he’s also very close with his paternal grandparents. “Grandpa was a state forester for a long time, and I love spending time in the woods with him. And Grandma, who passed away last year, sparked my passion for music and theater. She was such a big part of my life.”

Joseph’s grandmother took him to frequent performances at Northern Stage in Hartford and made an introduction that kept him going during COVID, when school performances were put on hold. She introduced Joseph to Eric Love, a now-New York City-based actor who was the Associate Artistic Director for Northern Stage. Love and his directorial team had written a play, Stories of White River Junction, based on caricatures of people in town. Joseph and other young actors went out into the community to research their parts and perform the play at several local schools when the worst of the pandemic started to subside. 

Joseph has been in every school play offered at Hartford. He has also acted in local productions of Heathers and Hello Dolly with Trumbull Hall Troupe (a teen and tween theater group), and North Country Community Theatre. 

So many ways to help people

When asked how he became interested in nursing, Joseph explains that also started with family. “I have two aunts who work in the field, and seeing the fulfillment they get from their work, and hearing the stories they tell, really inspired me. The fact that you can go into a situation where someone is having one of the worst days of their life, and bring up their spirits even a little bit, is wonderful.” 

When he was able to enroll in the health sciences program at Hartford Area Career Tech Center, his classes and co-op experiences at the hospital and a nearby nursing home solidified his interest. “I like the flexibility; there are so many avenues to take and so many ways to go. I could travel the country or the world, or stay in one place, and I can help so many different types of people,” he says. 

While Joseph is excited about his future nursing career, he also struggled a bit with the inherent uncertainty of planning one’s future at age 17. He says the advice he received in that area was one of the most helpful things he took away from his participation in the VSAC Talent Search program and his weekly meetings with his Outreach Counselor, Beth Clay. “She assured me that if I ever decide that I don’t want to do nursing, it’s okay to explore other possibilities,” says Joseph. 

Despite his understandable concerns, Joseph’s strong interest in biology—he signed up for AP Bio his sophomore year because he was so excited to take it, he recalls—gave Beth a lot to work with as she helped Joseph turn his interests into a penciled-in path for college and career. 

“Beth helped me figure out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go, and what I needed to do to set myself up for that. I would have struggled without her.”

Beth recommended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, a school with a strong nursing program about 35 minutes away from Joseph’s home. “I actually hadn’t heard of it, but when Beth told me about it, I thought, ‘Wow, this sounds great.’ I don’t usually make decisions emotionally, but when I visited, it just felt right. I remember thinking, ‘This place is great. These people seem awesome. I’d love to be a part of whatever community I can find here.’” 

Winning—and losing—with grace

Joseph has experienced some big wins during his high school career, from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation scholarship, to a statewide medical math competition at a HOSA Future Health Professionals conference this spring, to countless auditions for plays and musical groups. Joseph has been a part of school concert choirs since the fourth grade, has played the alto saxophone in the school band since the fifth grade, and, in the last year, he joined the high school jazz band for an additional challenge. He especially loved participating in the annual Tri-Town Jazz Night, where the high school bands from Hanover, Lebanon and Hartford all play together.

“I love it all. From festivals to competitions, music has given me opportunities to play and audition both individually and as part of a community. Music is such a great way to connect with others and with yourself. And while it’s exciting to win or get the part, the effort also teaches you how to lose with grace.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: An Upper Valley performer lands his next starring role: college.

Every summer, thousands of Vermonters and visitors gather on the lawn at Shelburne Museum to enjoy world-class music in one of the most iconic outdoor settings in the state.

Last year, for the first time, Waterbury, Vermont-based NOMAD powered the concert series entirely with clean battery energy storage, replacing diesel generators and helping to avoid nearly 4,500 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution.

This year, the Vermont Community Foundation is proud to step in as a key partner to make that impact possible once again. Thanks to philanthropic support from VCF, the 2025 Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum will continue as a fully net-zero event—powered entirely by NOMAD’s battery-based system.

“After two years of devastating flooding across the state, we know that climate resilience isn’t an abstract idea, it’s a daily reality for Vermont communities. Because of our fundholders’ partnership, VCF can step into the space between business, nonprofits, and government to accelerate Vermont-grown innovation and bring these solutions to a broader stage,” said Dan Smith, President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. “NOMAD’s system—developed and deployed right here in Vermont—represents exactly the kind of local innovation the Community Foundation is proud to support.”

For concertgoers, that means the same incredible performances, without the noise, fumes, or carbon impact of traditional power sources. If you’ve been already, you know the scene. If you haven’t, picture families sprawled out on picnic blankets, kids dancing barefoot on the grass, and world-class music filling the air—all powered by silent, clean energy that lets the music take center stage.

“Live concerts require a lot of power and when you’re in a location without access to grid power, that historically required diesel generators,” said Alex Crothers, co-founder of Higher Ground. “Without the right resources, we’re often faced with difficult choices between what’s ideal and what’s feasible. Thanks to the support of the Vermont Community Foundation, we had the ability to choose a better path. This partnership is helping us cut emissions and demonstrate what outdoor concerts can look like.”

The VCF can support initiatives like the net-zero concert series thanks to the generosity and partnership of its fundholders. Each year, more than $70 million is put to work in communities across Vermont through grants, programs, and impact-focused investments—including over $20 million invested in Vermont businesses and organizations advancing renewable energy, affordable housing, and access to healthcare.

“Last year, when we realized we’d delivered 72 hours of clean power—from setup through encore—we wanted to understand the impact,” said Chris McKay, COO of NOMAD. “The numbers were eye-opening: avoiding nearly 4,500 pounds of CO₂, the equivalent of burning more than 2,000 pounds of coal. In just four concerts, we avoided the carbon sequestered by more than 2 acres of forest in a year. It showed us what’s possible when you replace diesel with real, local innovation.”

The 2025 Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum promises something special: world-class performances powered by local innovation and shared values. It’s a celebration of what we can do—together.

We hope to see you on the green.

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About Vermont Community Foundation: 

The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as an enduring source of philanthropic support for Vermont communities. A family of more than 1,000 funds, foundations, and supporting organizations, the Foundation makes it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love. The VCF and its partners put more than $70 million annually to work in Vermont communities and beyond. The heart of its work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. The VCF envisions Vermont at its best—where everyone can build a bright, secure future. Give where your heart lives. Vermontcf.org

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Support for clean energy solutions reflects a broader commitment at the Vermont Community Foundation. Through our Climate and Environment Initiative, the VCF is investing in Vermont’s long-term sustainability—from clean water and healthy forests to renewable energy and regenerative agriculture.

Wondering how your giving can support the environment? Our Giving Quiz is a quick and thoughtful way to explore your values and discover how your philanthropy can help protect Vermont’s natural resources, support climate resilience, and make a lasting difference for future generations.

Ready to get started?
Call us at 802-388-3355 (opt. 5) or email us at philanthropy@vermontcf.org and let’s put your generosity to work creating connections and opportunities in Vermont.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VCF and NOMAD bring net-zero energy to Higher Ground’s 2025 Shelburne concerts.

Immunizations have long been one of Vermont’s most powerful public health tools, helping protect both individuals and communities from serious illness. But keeping track of your vaccine status can feel surprisingly complicated.

Who hasn’t had that moment in urgent care, staring blankly when asked, “When was your last tetanus shot?” And if you’re managing not just your own vaccines, but also those of your kids or aging parents, the challenges only multiply.

Health care providers have long relied on a powerful tool for accessing the most complete immunization histories possible for their patients: the Vermont Department of Health’s Vermont Immunization Registry, a secure, centralized system containing Vermonters’ immunization records. Now, that data is even more efficiently accessible to busy primary care providers and practice staff through a partnership between VITL (Vermont’s nonprofit health data sharing network), the Vermont Department of Health, and practices and hospitals around the state.    

VITL offers a new service to primary care practices and other health care provider offices, directly connecting their electronic health records to the Vermont Immunization Registry, so they can query for data in an instant, without opening another program. 

In the past year, VITL delivered immunization data into providers’ electronic health records over half a million times. For patients, it happens behind the scenes, delivering their essential records to their health care providers when and where they need them.

Here are three things to know about how VITL is helping you stay on top of essential immunizations.

1) What is health information sharing?

At the heart of this effort is health information sharing — but what does that actually mean?

In short, it’s the secure electronic sharing of your medical information, like vaccine history, among your providers. VITL connects many Vermont practices and hospitals to each other and centralizes data to create one health record for each Vermonter. That record includes information like your name and date of birth, along with allergies, medications, lab results, and immunizations. 

Having one record from the many places you receive care enables your providers to access a more complete, up-to-date picture of your medical history and current treatments. The data is available to health care providers and staff, insurance providers for certain initiatives such as care coordination, and public health professionals like the staff at the Vermont Department of Health who lead initiatives to keep Vermonters healthy and well. 

2) Faster access to immunization records means better care

A real-world example of this system in action comes from Primary Care Health Partners (PCHP), one of Vermont’s largest independent medical groups.

In the past, PCHP staff often had to manually check state records or call pharmacies to get vaccine histories — a time-consuming process for already busy primary care staff. But now (thanks to the Immunization Registry Query & Response Service, as it is known to the medical community), things have gotten easier.

Now, with just a few clicks, PCHP providers and staff can instantly pull immunization records from the Vermont Immunization Registry right in their own electronic health record, freeing up valuable time for patient care. PCHP estimates their nurses save more than an hour and 20 minutes every day, thanks to the VITL service. This system also ensures that clinicians have the most current immunization data, which is critical for supporting each individual’s health and for protecting vulnerable populations and improving public health outcomes.

3) Updated immunization records help patients stay on schedule

One of the biggest advantages of this system is its ability to help keep immunization schedules on track.

The VITL service enables primary care clinicians and staff to pull immunization records from other providers’ offices — and from clinics and pharmacies — right into their patient’s record for a more comprehensive immunization history. Even better, the system can flag upcoming or overdue immunizations, helping patients and families stay ahead of their health needs even if they can’t track everything themselves.

“Immunizations are crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases,” says Amanda Jones, Informatics Director at the Vermont Department of Health. “The Vermont Immunization Registry gives health care providers easy access to individual vaccination records and forecasts future patient immunization needs — this technology is keeping people in Vermont up-to-date on vaccines and really protecting our communities.”

By connecting the dots across the health care system, VITL is making it easier for providers and patients alike to manage immunizations — a win not just for individuals, but also for public health across the state. It’s one more reason Vermont continues to rank among the healthiest states in the country.

If you want to learn more about how VITL shares your health data with health care providers, there is information on vitl.net/sharing. Every Vermonter has options, and you can explore them on the VITL website. The VITL team is also available to talk with you and answer questions about health information sharing Monday–Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. VITL’s toll-free number is 1-888-980-1243. 

Read the story on VTDigger here: Tracking immunizations so you don’t have to.

“VEDA is creating business and jobs in Vermont — it’s very noticeable and appreciated, so when we were growing over the years, we went back to VEDA” – BBCo. Founder, Joe Lemnah

After home-brewing back in 2006, Joe Lemnah moved around the areas where the breweries were hopping, including to Delaware, the home of Dogfish Head. At Dogfish Head, Lemnah converted his love of home-brewing to the art of commercial brewing. 

His goal, though, was always to bring his talent back to Vermont. After completing the 10,000 or so hours it takes to master the skill, that’s exactly what he did by starting Burlington Beer Company in 2014. 

The company has a 22,000-square-foot production facility in Williston and a brew pub-slash-event-space-slash-hip-hangout in Burlington’s South End, which opened in 2021. 

Lemnah said that with his family’s savings tapped to start the brewery, it was a struggle to find a lender willing to take the leap, particularly a decade ago when the brewery market was quickly becoming saturated. 

“I just went all in,” Lemnah laughed. “It was a pretty rough business plan. I was a brewer by trade and have had to become a business person” 

Thankfully, he said, VEDA and its partners at the National Bank of Middlebury believed in what he wanted to do. 

“VEDA taking chances on people that have that passion means a lot, after getting so many ‘nos’ from the bank,” he said. “VEDA is creating business and jobs in Vermont — it’s very noticeable and appreciated, so when we were growing over the years, we went back to VEDA.” 

This has included the brew house, more tanks, a canning line and so on. It makes for great conversation, Lemnah said: sharing the need for new equipment and projecting the revenue that will come in return.

Plus, Burlington Beer Co. gives back to the community in myriad ways, including special brews for important causes, like the Vermont benefit beer, created in response to major flooding in 2023. 

“We were doing a lot of things through the years that I think the more traditional and even some of the up-and-coming breweries that are making some different styles of beer looked down upon like, ‘Oh, what do you put it in your beer? That’s gross. That’s not beer anymore’” he said. “But it’s fun. Beer was meant to be fun.” 

For Lemnah, it’s important for his personality, his artistic spirit to come through in the taste, the look and the feel of the brand. 

“We’re making liquid art, we’re making label art; we’re just trying to have fun at the end of the day,” he said. 

Without the low-interest financing available through VEDA, Lemnah said, his incredibly capital-intensive small business may have never gotten started.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Burlington Beer Co.: Where fermentation meets imagination .

Hailey Bartlett vividly recalls the day her boss came up to her at the Bristol dairy farm where she worked and asked if she wanted to help with a “DA.” 

“I didn’t even know what that meant. But I said, ‘sure.’” 

A “DA” is a displaced abomasum, which is the fourth stomach compartment in a cow. This cow, who had recently calved, had gotten her stomach twisted, an uncomfortable yet common condition for dairy cows after giving birth.

“I had no idea what I was getting into. The three of us—my boss, the vet, and I—had to flip over this 2,000-pound animal. I was on one side and pulled the halter down on her head, then stayed on top of the cow to hold her down while the vet treated her. Afterwards, I asked my boss, Brittany, to explain what happened. Her abomasum was twisted, and the vet had to come and untwist it. She demonstrated with a rag. It was fascinating.” 

Noticing her interest, Brittany arranged for Hailey to accompany the same vet a few weeks later on farm visits throughout Addison County. Not only did Hailey get a summer job out of the deal, but it also gave her a valuable realization: being a large-animal vet was what she wanted to do with her life. 

“I knew that was the path I wanted to take,” Hailey says. 

“Animals were my constant”

Hailey grew up around agriculture and participated in many farm-related activities, from 4H shows to Future Farmers of America to youth programs with the Addison County Farmers Coalition. But her interest in animals served a need that went beyond after school projects.   

When Hailey was nine years old, she and her siblings were put into foster care. While she’s lived with some good families, Hailey says that her experience—which included a years-long abusive situation, several moves, and separation from her brothers and sister—has not been positive. Throughout it all, animals were her comfort. 

Every family she lived with had animals—chickens, pigs, geese, goats, a cow or two—and Hailey always took care of them. “Going from foster home to foster home, I never had a solid connection with people, but animals were my constant,” she recalls.

At the start of her junior year, around the time she left her most challenging foster home, Hailey decided she needed a positive outlet. “I was going through a rough time, so a friend and I reached out to this big dairy farm that needed people to work the night shift feeding the calves.” Hailey loved it, and it introduced her to the possibilities of making a career and a life working with large animals. 

This fall, Hailey starts college at SUNY Cobleskill, where she plans to major in animal science. After college, she may go on to veterinary school, or she might work as a vet tech or an animal nutritionist—as long as she can travel from farm to farm and work with animals. “There’ll be no desk job for me,” says Hailey. 

Hall pass mixup opens doors

Applying to college wasn’t part of Hailey’s plan, but when the idea literally landed on her desk through a fortuitous mixup, she started to give it some thought. 

“I received this hall pass one day to go meet with the VSAC counselor. I didn’t even know what VSAC was—and college?—I’d never thought about it,” Hailey recalls. 

But she went to the counseling office and learned the pass was meant for a classmate who is also a “Hailey B.” The VSAC counselor, who works with students in VSAC’s Talent Search, suggested they chat anyway—and this Hailey was intrigued.

Unfortunately, she encountered an immediate setback. “I was living in my worst foster home at the time, and before I could enroll to work with VSAC, I needed a parent’s signature. They wouldn’t sign it.”

But almost a year later, after Hailey moved out of that house, she came back to VSAC. By that time, the original VSAC counselor Hailey had met with had retired, and Kate Rowland was working with students at the school.

“Despite the traumatic experiences that she has endured, Hailey has such a positive attitude, kind demeanor, and clear vision for her future,” says Rowland. “She has not let her past define her, and she has continually impressed me with her dedication.” 

“Working with an independent student often means that I get to help these students even more than my other first-generation students,” Rowland adds. “Hailey has impressed me with her diligence, responsiveness, and motivation every step of the way.”

Hailey says VSAC’s support was a game-changer, particularly when it came to finances. “I wouldn’t have known about scholarship opportunities. I would have just thought, ‘I’ll pay off the loans when I’m older, no big deal.’ Now I know those scholarships are going to be life-changing in terms of reducing my debt.” 

And for students who don’t live in a traditional two-parent household—whether their parents are divorced, they’re raised by other relatives, or are independent, like Hailey—completing the FAFSA financial aid application is often tricky. “The application process was tough, and I needed a lot of documents. But VSAC made it much easier, and in the end, it was all worth it,” says Hailey.  

As an independent student, Hailey will be paying for her education on her own. Fortunately, she received a generous financial aid package from SUNY Cobleskill, and she’s waiting to hear back from the many scholarships she applied for. 

Hailey credits her best friend—with whom she’ll be sharing a room at SUNY in the fall—and her boss, Brittany, for helping her find her path. “My friend grew up on a farm, introduced me to showing cows, leased me my cow for shows, and gave me so much insight on farming. I wouldn’t be here without her. And Brittany has played a huge part. She can look at an animal and know exactly what’s wrong with it. That’s what I want to be able to do.”

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: How a cow’s stomach and a hall pass helped Hailey Bartlett find her way to college.

Our state Vermont charms with untouched beauty. Come for the leaves, come for the snow, come for the lakes and rivers. Find a comfy chair, a local mash (or stomp), a good book, and breathe our fresh air. That is our brand. One fiery red/orange leaf of the sweet maple is enough to say “Vermont.” Yet, Vermont is also a hunting ground for the unscrupulous. 

For northern Vermont, just cast your memory on Jay Peak. For southern Vermont, a similar story was told in Dover and Wilmington with Haystack Mountain. I.M. Aiken, author of The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County, has turned her wit and deep knowledge of the system to create a fictional version of ski-area-fraudsters, along with politicians, lawyers, and business folks who get pulled along with the fantasy of getting rich by tarting up a lovely hill so that wealthy folks from away would find a home in it. They’d spend their money here. They’d hire people who need jobs. They’d restart flagging economies. One need not ask the obvious question: What could possibly go awry? 

In her second novel, the forthcoming Stolen Mountain, Aiken nibbles away at our assumptions, and has a bit of fun along the way. Why not? Why not use modern, everyday Vermonters to explore this sticky world? In The Little Ambulance War, Aiken create Brighid and her spouse Major Sarah Anne Musgrave (Sam)—a seasoned combat soldier and intelligence officer—of the US Army as secondary characters. In Stolen Mountain, Brighid, an EMT and captain of a small-town Vermont rescue squad, turns narrator and sleuth, leading us through an adventure. In addition to being a classic legal thriller, Stolen Mountain boasts a tender love story, which is punctuated by Sam’s absence when she deploys.

After a 200-plus-year history of military service of all manor and flavors, women were only recently permitted to serve in combat positions. Notoriously, during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, women used “male” names, outfitting themselves as gents for the privilege of entering battle. Flash forward to 1988, where women were officially banned from combat with implementation of the DOD’s “Risk Rule,” rescinded in 1994, paving the way for more gender-neutral policy, if not practice, both of which are subject to change. Aiken draws on her experience as a civilian member of US Army’s 4th Infantry Division to explore Sam and the impact of her service on her own life and Brighid’s. Meanwhile, Sam brings her special brand of toughness and mischief to aid Brighid’s investigation, putting herself, as per usual, in certain danger.

The novel releases in early September 2025 and will be available through any bookshop, and as an audiobook read by Aiken herself, which is a treat not-to-be missed. The bookstores would love to get your pre-orders https://a.co/d/1Nwti86—so would the author and her publisher.

Between novels, Aiken is pushing boundaries with a series of poignant, darkly hilarious, and infinitely honest short stories, also set mostly in Vermont. You can follow her at https://trowbridgeDispatch.iamaiken.com.

I.M. Aiken worked on ambulances off and on since the 1980s, starting in the Boston area where she was born and raised. She is the author of The Little Ambulance War of Winchester County, a Trowbridge Vermont Novel, and served one tour in Iraq as a civilian member of the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division. I. M. Aiken now lives in Vermont. 

Read the story on VTDigger here: Author I.M. Aiken skewers crooked developers and explores women in combat in second Vermont novel.

One of Josh Samaniego’s favorite classes during his time at Spaulding High School was Intro to Psychology. “Everything in that class was so immersive and made so much sense,” says Josh, citing, for example, the Bystander Effect. “The more people around when something bad happens, the less likely it becomes for someone to step in and help. You literally have to point at someone and ask them to call 911.”

Josh, who heads to Bennington College in the fall with plans to major in political science, is determined to be more than a bystander. He wants to be a change agent.  

“COVID was the first time something political impacted my life, and not in a small way. I was going to school half as much as I did before, and mostly online. I was seeing things that I wanted to change. But it was only when I started to apply to college that I thought, maybe I should consider doing this as a career.”

Applying to college wasn’t always a given for Josh, who grew up in Barre City as the youngest of four children raised by a single mom. “My mom has always worked as a waitress. At times it was very difficult to raise four kids with that job, but she always prioritized us and made sure we had the brightest futures possible.”

Two of Josh’s three half-siblings, who are a decade older, went to medical school, which opened Josh’s eyes to how expensive higher education could be. “Until I was nine or ten, I wanted nothing to do with college. I saw how much it cost, and I didn’t feel like I had any purpose to go. Then, in third grade, I started to enjoy school. Mr. Reese at Barre City Elementary was my favorite teacher ever. He was funny and made learning easy and enjoyable. I don’t think I would be good at school if not for him.”

Mr. Reese told Josh he might be able to earn college scholarships if he worked hard. That changed his mindset. And it paid off; this spring, Josh received a Dr. Ernest V. Reynolds scholarship from Spaulding High School, which will cover all of his college expenses over four years. 

Along the way, Josh worked with VSAC Outreach Counselor Chelsea Martin, who has known Josh since he was in seventh grade. Chelsea helps Central Vermont students connect with higher education opportunities as part of VSAC’s Talent Search, a program that helps students explore and enroll in career and postsecondary education options. “I have been truly humbled to work with him and watch his incredible personal and academic growth,” she says. “Josh is one of the top students in his class at Spaulding, with a passion for social justice and an aspiration to make meaningful change in our country.”  

Josh says VSAC has been a huge help in helping him understand what’s involved in applying to, and paying for, college—though he wasn’t always totally tuned in. 

“During the first two years of high school, when our entire class would meet together for VSAC once a month, I let a lot of it go in one ear and out the other,” Josh admits. “I didn’t really understand all the terms, and I figured I’d worry about it when I could see it all in front of me. But I think those meetings helped a lot down the road, because when Chelsea was explaining the terms again, I remember thinking, ‘oh, that’s what that means.’ It was familiar.” 

During 11^th and 12^th grade, Josh and his fellow VSAC participants started meeting individually with their outreach counselors, researching career options, planning their college search, and learning about how to navigate financial aid. 

For first-generation students like Josh, VSAC is a critical support.

“Applying to college was kind of like calculus homework—asking my parents for help was out of the question,” says Josh. While his mom completed some college, she wasn’t able to finish after learning she was expecting twins—and the college application process has also changed quite a bit over the last generation. “My mom didn’t have that experience, so I had to seek help from other sources. That’s where VSAC was helpful.” 

Josh applied to 10 schools, following the advice of his late grandmother, Arlene, who told him to “shoot for the stars, because the clouds aren’t high enough.” According to Josh, “Her words have been a huge motivator for me, and were the reason I applied to so many prestigious schools. I am saddened that she will not get to see me graduate this June.” 

During the application process, Josh realized that one of the things that most appealed to him was a school with an open curriculum. Bennington College was one of several schools that didn’t require all students to complete a core group of classes. For Josh, who is excited to explore economics and politics more deeply than his high-school history and civics courses allowed, the lack of course requirements frees up more time for his passions.  

Another of his passions is music, which he plans to minor in at Bennington. Josh took up the piano at age three, when he started tinkering with an instrument that was originally meant for his older sister. “But she stopped playing. I started and never stopped.” 

Josh taught himself how to play piano and, more recently, guitar, by watching videos online. He plays entirely by ear, noting that he played a seven-minute piece from the Clair de Lune completely from memory. When music teachers have asked him how he does it, Josh explains: “If I listen to a song enough times, I can hear the patterns others don’t hear. I can picture the shape of the chord in my head and know where my hands need to be.” 

When he saw the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, Josh realized that music could also be an avenue for confidence-building and self-expression. He now practices an hour a day, and he sings as well. “When I was little, I used to sing along with the songs my mom had on the radio. No one ever told me I sounded bad, so I kept going.” 

Josh also hopes to use his voice on the political stage. “In five to ten years, I would like to be running for office. I feel like I could make a difference there.” He acknowledges that he’ll have to brace himself for harsh criticism, something school doesn’t prepare you for. “When you put yourself out there, you’re going to get a lot of criticism; half the people will disagree with you. But I feel like my experience growing up, knowing the true value of a dollar, and my approach to people, gives me an opportunity to have a real impact.”

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Standout Spaulding High School student wants to be a voice of change.

After a successful career as a clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and more recently as a general surgeon in St. Albans, Vermont, Dr. Christopher Bartels decided to retire. 

Retirement didn’t last long. In addition to realizing winters can feel quite long and dark, Dr. Bartels couldn’t help thinking about the long waits for health care and the rising costs of health insurance in the state, where 41% of Vermonters have insurance deductibles over $4,000 and fewer than 20% ever meet the deductible. He also knew from experience the high administrative costs to medical providers that came from managing submissions, denials and reimbursements.

He was called to practice again, but he knew he wanted to do it differently.

Welcome to Green Mountain Hernia Specialists and the Direct Care Model

With a goal to make routine surgical care accessible and affordable, Dr. Bartels opened Green  Mountain Hernia Specialists in Colchester, Vermont. He offers minimally invasive hernia surgery, gallbladder removal, and hemorrhoidal banding in the office or a hemorrhoidectomy in the operating  room. He can also perform biopsies of skin lesions very quickly in the office and excise  skin lesions there too.  

What is the Direct Care Model 

Direct Care surgical practice means that the patient pays for the surgeon’s fee, but  the facility fee and anesthesia fee can be paid out of their existing health insurance. There  is no need for a full staff of billers, coders, and insurance liaisons. Patients can be seen much quicker, and more time can be spent with each  patient. Health Savings Accounts, or Flexible Spending Accounts, both pre tax dollars, can be used for payment as well. Care Credit, which is interest free for 6 months, is also offered.  

To learn more or to make an appointment, visit GreenMountainHerniaSpecialists.com

Read the story on VTDigger here: Retired surgeon called to return to practice.

Earlier this spring, as the other seniors at Poultney High School were picking out dresses and tuxes, Jared Preseau’s “prom prep” had him scouring auto parts catalogs. After replacing the motor, transmission, and four-wheel-drive axels in his 1989 Ford F150 over the winter, he was hustling to button up some final repairs he had missed. “I want to get it ready for prom,” he said with a grin. 

Working on motors, engines, and equipment has been Jared’s passion for a long time, ever since the day the hay baler broke on his grandfather’s farm when he was eight years old. “We hit a big rock in the hay pile, and we had to take the spinner apart to fix it where it got bent. It still works to this day.”

That was the first time Jared experienced the satisfaction of taking something broken and making it work again. He’s felt the same pride many times since, working on brushhogs, tractors, 4-wheelers, and neighbors’ lawn mowers and snowblowers. 

Jared was raised by his grandparents in Wells, and much of his growing-up experience took place on their 400-acre, 70-cow beef farm in Pawlet. “Haying is pretty much my summer,” he says. His grandfather, in particular, was an important role model, introducing him to farm life, fishing, and turkey and deer hunting. “He taught me everything I know,” says Jared. On the equipment side of things, his grandfather did most of the farm’s repairs, and as a young boy, Jared was usually by his side and looking over his shoulder. 

His grandfather passed away two years ago, but he leaves a legacy in the mechanical knowledge he passed down to his grandson. Jaren’s grandfather lives on through the knowledge Jared will gain when he goes on to college this fall at Northern Maine Community College’s diesel and hydraulics program. 

It’s a path his grandfather wanted for him, but one Jared almost didn’t take. “For years I was dead set on not going to college,” Jared says. “I didn’t think it was for me.”

His grandfather did not go to college, heading to work on the farm instead. He also had several off-farm jobs doing logging, driving dump trucks and excavators, and as the head road commissioner for the town of Pawlet. “Something along those lines was what I thought about doing,” says Jared, until other family members echoed his grandfather’s advice to go to college. 

“My aunts, my grandmother, my grandfather—they all wanted me to go. And my uncle said not going to college was his biggest regret. He worked as a mechanic off the farm, and said he didn’t make the money he could have made if he’d had a degree.”

So last summer, Jared reflected on his plans, heard his grandfather’s voice, and started to wonder if he was being more stubborn than smart. As senior year kicked off, he met with his guidance counselor, attended a college fair, and started working with Nathan Hickey, an outreach counselor for VSAC’s GEAR UP program, a federally funded initiative that provides additional counseling and financial support to modest-income students who want to continue their education beyond high school. 

“Each time I connected with Jared, I became more impressed with him as someone who has good values and ethics and a desire to continue his education after high school,” says Hickey.

“It’s been helpful to talk with Nate about next steps along the way,” says Jared. “He also helped me out with scholarship applications, and I applied for quite a few. I’m not good with words, so having Nate there to help me was great.” 

While he applied to several schools in Vermont, Maine, and upstate New York, Jared chose Northern Maine Community College for its diesel and hydraulics program and its affordable tuition. While the school offers both two- and four-year degree programs, Jared plans to start with the two-year plan. “I think I’d rather get out and work, but if I change my mind and decide to get more classroom experience, I’ll have that option.”  

Jared’s already gotten far through hands-on learning and—occasionally—some hockey tape. 

“Last winter, some buddies and I had entered the Granville Lighted Tractor Parade, and I discovered my tractor had a fuel leak while we were in line for the parade. So while we were waiting, I took off the rear portion of the body, spliced in a piece of metal, and wrapped it with hockey tape. My buddy plays hockey and had some in his truck. It’s actually still holding,” Jared says with a laugh, although he plans to weld it—another of his favorite hobbies—before entering the tractor pulls this summer.

While he’s grateful for the advice from his grandfather and, more recently, from his dad—with whom he keeps in contact and calls “one good mechanic”—Jared’s also not afraid of trial and error. 

“I figure if I break something, I’ll just try again and figure out how to do it. That’s the only way you’re going to learn.” 

This story is produced by Vermont Student Assistance Corp., created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency, to advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they achieve their education goals. Our vision is to create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to higher education are closed to them. We begin by helping families save for education with Vermont’s state-sponsored 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or career training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and again as adults. Our grant and scholarship programs attract national recognition, and our loan programs and loan forgiveness programs are saving Vermont families thousands of dollars in interest. Visit vsac.orgto learn more.

Read the story on VTDigger here: A grandfather gives the gift of knowledge—past, present and future.

Editor’s note: This letter to the editor has been removed. It did not meet VTDigger’s editorial standards because we were unable to verify the identity of the author.

Read the story on VTDigger here: A response to Sam Bliss’ commentary on Food Not Cops.

Andrew Tauber-Herring grew up in a multi-generational home in Congers, New York, with his sister, parents, grandparents, great-grandmother and great-grandfather—a Holocaust survivor who came to America from Poland and taught himself English at the public library. 

Now, Andrew has also crossed an ocean and immersed himself in a very different culture in pursuit of opportunity. 

In January, he moved to Japan, where he’s studying business administration and marketing at a Tokyo-based extension of Lakeland University in Wisconsin.

“I absolutely love it, from the challenging courses that I have access to, plus the affordability of tuition. It’s been a very interesting experience,” says Andrew.

He says he developed an interest in Japan at 8 years old, when his second-grade class studied different cultures in school. “Ever since I first started reading about the culture and the country, Japan is where my heart always wanted to be. That interest just stayed with me.”

His strong interest in all things Japanese was a bright spot for Andrew, whose educational experience was influenced by significant challenges from an early age. While it took him years to receive accurate diagnoses, he now knows, at age 30, that he struggles with several disabilities, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, “and several others I can’t spell,” he says. 

While his family, especially his mother, always told him he could do whatever he put his mind to, others weren’t quite as supportive when he was going through school. 

“I was told back in high school that my learning disabilities would make it very difficult for me to go to college. It was hard for me to hear. From an early age, I knew I wanted to go to college. I had many career ideas, but my teachers made me feel nothing would ever come of it. Anytime I would express interest, they told me things like ‘you shouldn’t count on being accepted.’ I wanted to prove them all wrong.”

And he has. Having taken preparatory coursework at Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Champlain College, Andrew is set to earn his bachelor’s degree from Lakeland in the summer of 2027. He will be the first in his family to graduate from college. 

After graduating from high school in 2013, Andrew got a rough start to college, with a California-based art-school program focused on game design. When that program didn’t pan out and he moved back east—settling in central Vermont in 2016—he was advised to restart with a more traditional college program at the Community College of Vermont. 

Andrew credits one of his CCV professors, Ritalea Sweeny, for getting him interested in the marketing field. After connecting with the program at Lakeland that helped him achieve his first dream—living in Japan—he now hopes completing his college degree will help him achieve his second goal: working in marketing and advertising. 

Between college programs, Andrew held various retail and brand-ambassador jobs, worked in event and bank security, and did some manufacturing work. “I’ve done a little bit of everything,” he says. “But I decided to finish school because I realized that without a college degree, I would always stay in a low-income job.” 

He knew finishing college would likely improve his financial situation, but he also faced more than the usual number of challenges for an adult student looking to go back to school. Andrew says his biggest barrier was a fear of not being able to find a good work-life balance, between working part-time to cover expenses, being a full-time student, and being a student with several learning disabilities, which means he needs more time to study and absorb the material. 

“In terms of my needs, I’m still figuring it all out, to be honest,” he says. “A smaller classroom helps, and I need flexibility when it comes to due dates.” 

To help cover costs and make that balance easier, Andrew turned to Hireability Vermont (formerly known as Voc Rehab VT) and VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center, which works with adult students seeking education and training. 

“It was amazing working with my VSAC counselor, Karen McGovern,” says Andrew. “She’s done everything she can to help me find additional funding for things I couldn’t afford for my classes. She was also a great support on the emotional side. If I ever felt lost or was struggling, she knew just what to say to help me find my motivation. Things would definitely have been different without VSAC.”

Andrew also gives a lot of credit to his partner, Linda. “She has always been there for me and has pushed me when things got hard and I felt like giving up. I also appreciate her family being one of my primary supports in Vermont.” 

While Andrew says he struggles with writing because of his dyslexia, it’s worth noting that he conducted two interviews for this article entirely over email. And like his grandfather before him, he didn’t hesitate to jump into learning the Japanese language—an intimidating prospect for someone without any difficulties in visual or language processing. “I know a few phrases and words, and I’m learning more every day, the more I observe everyday life. It’s definitely different from English, but when you’re around something 24/7, it’s easy to pick things up,” he says.

In terms of finding understanding and accommodation for his learning disabilities in Japan, “It’s honestly a mixed bag,” says Andrew. “In some respects, they are very accommodating with what I need, and other times they don’t really understand. It’s been difficult, but not impossible.” In daily life, however, he finds the Japanese culture to be calm, safe, and accessible, which is a great fit. “The way things are set up in their society, they accommodate me without intention.”

Andrew hopes he can stay and work in Japan after he finishes his program. 

“Taking college classes has broadened my mind to the multitude of possibilities out there for me if I have a degree,” says Andrew. “Now that I’ve landed on marketing, though, I don’t think it will change. I hope one day I can work for a Japanese video game company doing marketing. I love it here. I couldn’t be happier.”  

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Despite facing multiple learning disabilities, Andrew Tauber-Herring realized his dream to study marketing in Japan.

Jeff Isabelle of Barre grew up reading books about dinosaurs. “I’ve been fascinated with paleontology for as long as I can remember. I always hunted for fossils in my spare time, and I’ve found some pretty cool things.” On a vacation to Washington, DC, the family took a side trip to Maryland’s Calvert Cliffs State Park, where Jeff found a bryozoan—an ancient aquatic animal that lived over 500 million years ago. 

While his longtime hobby connects him to the earth’s distant past, Jeff has also kept his focus strongly on the future throughout his time at Spaulding High School in Barre. Hoping he could go on to college, he worked hard from day one to keep up his grades, and he participated in the VSAC TRIO Talent Search program, a federally funded initiative to help students from modest-income backgrounds apply to and pay for college. 

Chelsea Martin, one of VSAC’s outreach counselors, worked with Jeff for three years. “Jeff exemplifies TRIO Talent Search. He is a first-generation, modest-income student who put so much work into his academic career to continue pursuing his passion.”

This fall, Jeff will study geology at Norwich University. By March, Jeff had earned enough in scholarship awards to cover two-thirds of his college costs. Then, in mid-April, he learned he had won the prestigious Ronald York Scholarship from Spaulding, which further reduced his annual expenses, as long as he maintains a certain grade point average for all four years.

“Without Chelsea, I wouldn’t have gotten half of that,” says Jeff—a claim Chelsea Martin pushes back on. “Jeff is one of the hardest workers I know, not only in academics, but outside of school as well.” 

While Jeff is modest about his achievements, he’s quick to credit hard work, VSAC’s guidance, and his parents’ support for helping him achieve his college dream. “I always wanted to go to college, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I would be able to,” he says. “I always worked my hardest in school, but I worried I wouldn’t get there. VSAC helped me out a lot by pointing me to schools I could apply to and ways to make college less expensive. And my parents were always right there by my side.”  

Jeff’s mom and dad both completed some college courses and understood the importance of education. His two older sisters, ages 28 and 29, both worked with VSAC programs in high school and went on to college and successful careers. His sister Kayla lives in Florida, where she tests soils for contaminants—something Jeff sees as a possible career path—and his other sister Christy lives in New Hampshire and works in cybersecurity.

Jeff and his parents homed in on ways to reduce the cost of college tuition. They attended VSAC’s Scholarship Night, where VSAC counselors help students and families set up scholarship applications and navigate online programs. “They showed us how to get through those websites, both during the group presentations and one-on-one.”

Jeff says he felt overwhelmed by the number of scholarships available. “It takes a lot of time, and writing essays isn’t easy. But in the end, it is worth it. Even if you don’t get the scholarship, it’s still a good experience.” 

His search for schools that had dedicated geology programs—which is becoming somewhat of a rare find—led him to Norwich. Other schools on his list offered a major in environmental studies, but Jeff liked the fact that Norwich’s geology program includes weekly trips out into the field, something he knows he wants to do once he starts working. 

While Jeff’s passion is in earth sciences, some of his favorite courses at Spaulding were in English and history. “I enjoyed classes on graphic novels, medieval studies, and marine biology, and I liked PE, too. Usually the more advanced something was, the more interesting it was.” He also participated in several clubs, including French Club; the SAFE Club, focusing on environmental action; and his favorite, the rock wall climbing club. “That was wicked fun,” he says with a smile.

After graduation in mid-June, Jeff plans to return to his usual summer job, doing trimming and maintenance at three local cemeteries, including Barre’s renowned Hope Cemetery. It’s hard work, something Jeff doesn’t shy away from. 

In fact, having a strong work ethic is Jeff’s advice for those coming up behind him. “Better grades mean better deals for college, so you want to try your best, starting freshman year,” he says. He also encourages students to ask to re-take tests or assessments if they think they can improve their scores—an opportunity he used to his advantage. 

But hard work is only part of the story. “I’m thankful for my family, especially my mother, who helped me out so much with all the paperwork. I couldn’t have done this alone.”

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Scholarship success story proves that persistence pays off.

“If VEDA financing weren’t an option, the landscape would be drastically different for my business,” Robillard said. 

While farming first brought him into the agriculture world, 802Logging founder Seth Robillard cut his own path to success in the woods. 

Growing up on Robillard Brother’s Farm, run by his parents and grandparents, he learned early on about operating heavy equipment and the value of hard work. 

At just 15 years old, Robillard and his brothers took over the farm and continued farming for several years. 

Making ends meet became increasingly difficult, and Robillard, determined to discover his own path, embarked on a new journey. 

He launched 802Logging, LLC on Jan. 1, 2018. 

His logging operation quickly expanded to include firewood sales and, eventually, composting services. This diversification was crucial in providing a steady income stream, especially during the dreaded mud season. 

As most loggers can attest, business is continually at the mercy of Mother Nature and machinery. 

VEDA came into the picture as Robillard was looking to purchase a feller buncher, a machine similar to an excavator but equipped with a saw head and accumulating fingers. Without it, he would need to hire custom operators, which would be a huge expense and logistical challenge. Owning the machine would save time and money. It would allow him to cut smaller amounts of wood at a time, critical during warm winter days when freeze-thaw cycles could potentially ruin inventory. 

For Robillard, the VEDA connection was personal. His partner, Nicole, went to college with loan officer Andy Wood. Adding fellow loan officer Colleen Leonard into the equation led to a five-year loan that significantly boosted efficiencies within the business. 

“If VEDA financing weren’t an option, the landscape would be drastically different for my business,” Robillard said. “The terms of the loan were instrumental in purchasing the feller buncher, and without it, our ability to secure a working lands grant would have been non-existent.”

Read the story on VTDigger here: 802Logging: From family farm to forestry enterprise.

After 10 years of working in marketing and analytics in the Boston area, Leanne Estridge left her job in early 2020 when her infant son had difficulty with daycare. 

As the family-inspired pause lengthened into a pandemic-driven societal realignment, Leanne and her husband decided the timing was right to make some major life changes. The couple decided to move back to Vermont, where Leanne had gone to college, in early 2021; her husband was growing a natural foods business; and Leanne, who for many years had been dreaming of grad school to pursue a longtime interest in mental health counseling, thought this might be the opportunity.    

“I was passionate about my marketing work, but when my son needed more of me, I stepped back. And when I stepped back with him, I thought, this might be my chance to go back to school.” 

Leanne, who graduated from Champlain College in 2011, had long felt the call to serve others and considered majoring in criminal justice and social work before settling on public relations. “I fell in love with Vermont’s communities through my experience at Champlain, and it launched me into a fun and interesting career,” says Leanne. “But eventually I had to listen to my heart and go find work that aligns with who I really am; the person I want to be for my kids.”

One of Leanne’s consulting projects—working with a higher education consulting firm that was advising a group of Vermont colleges contemplating a merger—provided a direction. 

“Once we settled in Vermont, I contacted Vermont State University. I’d become familiar with VTSU, and while I looked at schools all over the country, I really liked the design of the VTSU program,” says Leanne. A grant providing funding assistance came along just as she was about to enroll, and that sealed the deal.

While the grant that Leanne tapped originally is no longer available, she is now receiving a Vermont Mental Health Forgivable Loan. That program, administered by VSAC and funded by the Vermont legislature, forgives one year of student loan debt for every year the student works in Vermont’s mental health field post-graduation.

She’s now about halfway to earning her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from VTSU, expecting to graduate in summer 2026. She’s part of a cohort of students all studying together, with focuses on children and families or adults. The group meets one weekend a month on the VTSU campus in Williston, with students completing independent assignments online in between meetings. “It’s a slower program, which is a good fit for me,” says Leanne, who now has two young children at home (their daughter was born in late 2021). 

For Leanne and her husband, the assistance she received through grants and the Vermont Mental Health Forgivable Loan made her decision to go back to school more financially feasible and the prospect of balancing her workloads manageable. 

“I was working full-time, raising toddlers, attending classes, and about to add on a practicum. Managing the logistics of everything started to feel overwhelming and we had to sit down and really think things through. What can we guarantee? Is staying in school and pursuing this dream possible for our family? Having the Vermont Mental Health Forgivable Loan took away a lot of those question marks. It’s allowed me to take this step to do more meaningful work for the community.”

Leanne has started clinical work through an internship this year and will continue in two clinical settings that intrigue her and speak to her values: community-based mental health agencies and a primary care practice offering integrated mental health services.  

As she continues transitioning into work as a counselor, the work will look quite a bit different from where Leanne started her career, and the irony of that full-circle change isn’t lost on her. “There is a much-needed shift in mindset about how digital and social media are impacting kids’ mental health—and rightly so—it’s definitely an interesting contrast with my earlier marketing work,” Leanne says with a laugh. But she also thinks her communications experience will serve her well in her counseling career. 

“I think it will translate into advocacy for clients, agencies, and mental health in general. We need to continue to reduce the stigma and integrate mental health work more into our everyday conversations, so our systems can change and serve people in the most effective ways possible. People deserve access to mental health services. I think about how different things might have looked for me and many of my family and friends if we’d all had that type of support when we were young. If we can support kids early, how much can we change our community at large in the years to come? Those skills will help them be more successful and become the person they want to be. The earlier we can model that for kids, the better.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: From marketing to mental health, a mom comes full circle.

The Vermont Community Foundation is proud to be home to the Vermont Women’s Fund, a statewide initiative dedicated to advancing gender equity through strategic philanthropy and community leadership.

That shared commitment to progress was on full display at an unforgettable event, hosted by Lawson’s Finest tocelebrate International Women’s Day and the enduring impact of women in business, philanthropy, and community life.

Led by Lawson’s Finest’s CEO Adeline Druart, the event featured a keynote from Emily Bush, Director of the Vermont Women’s Fund, and a compelling panel discussion with four of Vermont’s most inspiring women business leaders: Karen Colberg (King Arthur Baking), Sas Stewart (Adventure Dinner), Libby Parent (Vermont’s Original Bag Balm), and Sascha Mayer (Mamava).

“You’re here because you want to be hopeful, you want to be inspired, you want to connect, you want to learn, you want to engage,” said Adeline in her opening remarks. “And that’s what we hope we’re going to deliver here today.”

The Vermont Women’s Fund, plays a crucial role in advancing gender equity across the state. Emily Bush captured the essence of this mission in her keynote: “We all have a part to play in making sure that women’s voices, ideas, and leadership are at the forefront of this movement.  Let’s keep supporting and celebrating women, because when they succeed, we all do.”

From personal journeys to professional insights, the panelists shared candid reflections. “It’s like 50% believing in yourself and 50% having it reflected back at you,” said Sas Stewart. “If I can hit that balance… that’s the feeling.” Libby Parent added, “I can only be my authentic self. And I think sometimes growing up in your career, you may get advice to be different than you are. I was never very good at that.”

The panelists brought both humor and heart as they shared the realities of leadership in Vermont and beyond. Karen Colberg, CEO of King Arthur Baking Company, offered a moving reflection on the roots of her work ethic: “What I believe really deeply is that there are parts of us that are just deep in our DNA, and they’re who we are… For me, I have this incredible work ethic. It’s from my grandmother—she was an entrepreneur… And that work ethic is deep inside me.”

Sascha Mayer, cofounder of Mamava, closed the panel with a powerful reminder of what leadership often looks like behind the scenes: “There’s a million decisions. There’s a million moments. It’s saying yes, and it’s taking on challenges. It’s sharing the idea. It’s being brave every single day with a million different decisions.”

The event also spotlighted Lawson’s Finest’s Social Impact Program, which partners with Vermont nonprofits—including the Vermont Women’s Fund—to brew purpose-driven collaborations. “The Social Impact Program is a huge part of what it means to be part of Lawson’s Finest. Every year, we brew about 10 or 12 different beers in collaboration with amazing nonprofit organizations across Vermont,” said Carra Cheslin, SIP Manager. She added, “We’re so excited to be partnering with VCF, and to continue to build that relationship into the future. This event is just the beginning.”

As the event transitioned into a lively networking hour, attendees continued to connect and reflect. “It’s really important to come together, to be in community as we try to create the future we want to see,” said Stacie Fagan, Vice President of Philanthropy at the Vermont Community Foundation. “That power of connection, shared experience, and mentorship—even in a group setting—was really palpable today.”

This gathering served as a powerful reminder that leadership rooted in empathy, authenticity, and collaboration can transform communities from the inside out. Attendees left feeling energized and more connected to a community of women who truly want to lift each other up.

Thank you to the entire Lawson’s Finest team for their commitment to Vermont.  As Emily so perfectly captured in her keynote, “Sean and Karen Lawson have pulled on every lever of their business to drive social impact—brand, product, culture, core values and philanthropy.”  

Together, we’re not just raising a glass—we’re raising the bar for what’s possible when women lead, communities come together, and purpose drives progress.

And it shows.

Feeling inspired? Take our Giving Quiz—it’s a quick, fun way to explore charitable options that align with your giving goals and make a lasting impact.

Ready to get started?
Call us at 802-388-3355 (opt. 5) or email us at philanthropy@vermontcf.org and let’s put your generosity to work creating connections and opportunities in Vermont.

The Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as an enduring source of philanthropic support for Vermont communities. A family of more than 1,000 funds, foundations, and supporting organizations, the Foundation makes it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they love. The Community Foundation and its partners put more than $70 million annually to work in Vermont communities and beyond. The heart of its work is closing the opportunity gap—the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard they work. The Community Foundation envisions Vermont at its best—where everyone can build a bright, secure future. Give where your heart lives. Vermontcf.org

Read the story on VTDigger here: Lawson’s Finest & the Vermont Community Foundation celebrate the Vermont Women’s Fund.

According to modern historical records, 7,269 recorded individuals have summited Mount Everest, from Edmund Hillary’s history-making climb in 1953 through the end of 2024. Not only is Ang Dawa Sherpa one of those people, but he’s stood at the top 10 times. 

Ang, who is originally from Nepal and now lives in South Burlington, is a Sherpa—a name that is both an ethnic group and a job. The Sherpa people, who are native to the mountainous regions of Nepal, have long been known for their skills in mountaineering and serve as essential guides for visiting adventurers. 

Ang grew up in Solukhumbu, Nepal—about a five-day walk to the base of Mt. Everest, which sits on the border of Nepal and Tibet. He followed family members into the mountain guide business at age 21, when his uncle hired him on as part of a group expedition he was leading. But without having had any formal training, Ang barely survived that trip. 

Ang and his client, a climber from New Zealand, hit bad weather as they descended from the north (Tibet) side, which is more remote and has more challenging weather conditions. “The day we were coming down from Camp 3, it was very windy and snowing hard. The others stayed just below Camp 2, but I came down by myself to Camp 1. It was very hard. Then, when I arrived at camp, I didn’t zip my tent correctly. I didn’t get frostbite, but the conditions were very challenging, and my friends thought I was finished,” he says. “Now I realize how risky it was for me to do that without any experience.” 

There’s nothing like waking up in a tent full of snow on Mount Everest to make you realize the importance of education. Ang decided that for future expeditions, he’d get more training. In 2008, he took a mountaineering course from the Nepal Mountaineering Association, and he continued with several more advanced classes, including high mountain rescue, Wilderness First Responder and an experienced guide course, to earn a final diploma of mountaineering in 2016.  

Ang and his wife, who have climbed Everest together, moved to the US almost two years ago after visiting Vermont for a climbing trip. Sherpa migration to the United States has increased in recent years, with New York City having about 16,000 people of Sherpa origin. But Ang prefers the peaks of Vermont to the skyscrapers of Manhattan. “I love being in Vermont because the state looks like my country, with a lot of mountains for hiking, skiing and adventure activities.”

The couple plans to start a mountain guide business here, organizing Everest expeditions and a seven-summit mountaineering trip to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents—Mount Everest in Asia, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, and Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania. 

“I want to share this experience with younger generations and pass along my training,” Ang says.

But climbing expeditions typically only happen in the spring and early summer, and Ang needed something to do in the off-season. Back in Nepal, he worked as an instructor with the Nepal Mountain Instructor Association and did social work in his village. Here in Vermont, his options were more limited. When he learned about a way he could qualify for higher-paying work—by taking a CDL class to become a truck driver—he contacted VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center, which helps adult students, including many newly arrived people like Ang, earn professional certifications.   

Ang worked with VSAC counselor Hemant Ghising to enroll at Pro Driver Training in Milton and apply for funding that could help him pay for it. With the help of a VSAC Advancement Grant and The Curtis Fund – Credentials of Value Scholarship, Ang earned his CDL-B license earlier this year. 

While Ang says the CDL class was “a bit easier” than summiting Everest in a blizzard, he still faced challenges as someone still learning English and learning how to access the American higher education system—something that can be challenging for any student. “Hemant made the experience much easier, and he was so nice. I want to say thank you to VSAC for managing this and making it happen.”

Ghising says he was instantly impressed with Ang’s gentle, compassionate nature. The two took a couple of hiking trips together outside the VSAC offices, trekking up Mt. Mansfield, Camel’s Hump, Smugglers’ Notch and Hunger Mountain. “Hemant showed me some great places in Vermont,” says Ang. “Maybe in the future I can take him to Nepal.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Mount Everest guide Ang Dawa Sherpa moves to Vermont and earns his CDL with support from VSAC.

Dear Reader,

Our Spring Member Drive ends Friday at midnight. In the spirit of transparency, we’re still facing a significant gap of $72,361 to reach our goal. But right now, every single donation will be TRIPLED — thanks to a generous match from two Vermont donors.

That means your gift of $10 becomes $30. $50 becomes $150. $100 becomes $300.

When powerful interests try to obscure the facts, VTDigger pushes back. Our reporters are in the field every day, asking tough questions, following the money, and uncovering stories that affect real people — from the Statehouse to our small towns.

Your support makes this possible.

If you value journalism that puts the public interest first — that’s independent, nonpartisan and deeply local — now is the time to act.

Give before midnight on Friday, April 18 and your donation will be tripled. Will you help us close the gap?

Thank you for believing in the power of public service journalism.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch,
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Until midnight Friday: Your gift to VTDigger goes 3X further.

Dear Reader,

We’re getting close — but we’re not there yet. Thanks to hundreds of Vermonters who’ve already stepped up, we’re 68% of the way to our Spring Member Drive goal. That’s an incredible show of support for independent, local journalism — but we still have a ways to go, and time is running out.

To help us close the gap, a generous donor has agreed to match your gift today up to $1,000. That means your support right now will go twice as far — powering VTDigger’s reporting, keeping Vermonters informed, and helping expand access to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities through our partnership with Vermont Adaptive.

We are within striking distance. Can you help us get there?

Now more than ever, Vermonters need access to trusted, independent journalism — and VTDigger needs your support to deliver it. We’re up against a deadline of Friday night to reach our Spring Drive goal, and we’re counting on readers like you to help us finish strong.

Every gift made today will be doubled, and thanks to a special matching challenge from another generous donor, you’ll also send $5 to Vermont Adaptive.

Don’t wait. Make your gift for Vermont news now.

Sincerely,

Dustin Byerly,
Director of Major Gifts

Read the story on VTDigger here: Spring Member Drive: All gifts matched during final countdown.

Clara Carroll grew up in South Starksboro and now lives just three miles down the road in Lincoln. Hidden within that short distance is a stretch of time spent out west, when she studied political science at Colorado College. 

To get out of the “college bubble” and connect more deeply with her community, she and a friend started volunteering at a group living home in Colorado Springs. 

She recalls one person who would hang out in the kitchen while they were making dinner. “I remember chopping onions and garlic, and this man would start talking about his life, the places he’d lived, the people he’d known, the things he was proud of and the things he was ashamed of. I remember feeling so honored to hear someone’s stories. To be let in.” 

“I loved it,” Clara says. “The work allowed me to tap into the place I was living in a very different way, and that felt very rewarding. It felt like I had something to offer there. That’s when I started thinking that social work might be my career path.” She was right.

After completing her bachelor’s degree, Clara returned to Vermont and spent the next few years working at a homeless shelter, in several afterschool programs, and in the Burlington Housing Authority’s offender reentry program, which serves people coming out of the Chittenden County Correctional Facility. 

She eventually settled in at the Parent-Child Center in Middlebury, which serves families across Addison County. Clara says her work is primarily “based in the relationships I create with people. The practicalities of what they need help with—housing, healthcare, addictions, or working with family services—are secondary.”

While she’s always been able to make meaningful connections with people, Clara found that the experience of having children (she and her partner have a 4- and 5-year-old) gave her yet another way to tap into her role and her community differently. “Having kids makes things heavier when things are hard, or when things are not going well for a child. It hits me in a deeper way. At the same time, it’s helped me understand more deeply how difficult it is, what it feels like to not sleep for days on end, and the way it can impact your life. It gives me infinite empathy for the challenges that come about,” she says. 

As “a part of the ‘village’” of support in her community, Clara needed support from the village as well. For the last three and a half years, Clara has been pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Vermont State University (VTSU). She’s enrolled in the weekend format for working professionals, where students take one class at a time and meet with their cohort one weekend a month. 

Now in the practicum portion of the program, Clara works three days a week so she can do her internship two days a week. “It’s a wild time in life to be working, interning, studying, and raising a 4- and 5-year-old. It’s a lot to fit in. But I’m not alone in that at all. Others in my cohort are in similar circumstances.”

Many of her peers have also worked in the field for years and are juggling jobs, families, and school. Clara admires their collective level of expertise, commitment, and belief in doing hard things together. “They’re all really talented, skilled people who we need doing this kind of work,” she says. 

For many of them, including Clara, VSAC funding has made their studies more affordable. When Clara enrolled at VTSU, a state grant helped pay her tuition. While that funding is no longer available, she’s now receiving a Vermont Mental Health Forgivable Loan, an interest-free loan that pays up to 100% of tuition. That program, administered by VSAC and funded by the state of Vermont, forgives one year of student loan debt for every year the student works in Vermont’s mental health field post-graduation.

Clara says going back to school while supporting a family has made things tight financially, and she wouldn’t have started the program without the funding available through the original grant and wouldn’t have been able to continue without the forgivable loan. “I feel very grateful.”  

Now, she’s about to finish her second internship (her first was at the Parent-Child Center) at Mt. Abraham Middle/High School in Bristol, where her partner teaches middle school and where Clara went to school. Some of the same faculty members who taught Clara are still there, and she has delighted in being part of the school community in a different way. While many mental health providers choose not to practice in their home communities—to avoid the small-town realities of running into clients at the grocery store or at your child’s school—Clara sees these connections as a positive.  

“There are ways to manage it gracefully, especially if you bring the same approach you bring to your work: letting others take the lead on how they want to interact with you. When people you work with professionally also see you as a human and see that they have things in common with you, it can be helpful.”

When she graduates, Clara hopes to expand into more clinical work at her current agency. But no matter where she ends up practicing, she wants it to be local. “There are a lot of people in my own community who face a lot of obstacles and aren’t really heard or seen. I feel passionate about sticking with that.”

A decade and a half after volunteering at the group home in Colorado Springs, Clara is still practicing her gift for letting others be seen and heard, the same way she offered a listening ear to the man in the kitchen. But Clara sees it more as a gift she receives. “It’s surprising and incredible to me every time someone welcomes me in—to their home or to their story. I feel totally honored.” 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: How chopping onions led one Vermonter to changing lives.

“My going back to school for counseling was a big decision for us,” says Emily Aiken of Fairfax. “My husband owns a landscaping and excavation company, where he’s been successful without a college degree. And while he can buy a piece of equipment and make money on it immediately, it’s a lot less certain to spend time and money on a degree without a guarantee that you’ll make that money back.”

But for Emily, the calling to study mental health counseling was about much more than return on investment. It was about investing in a community she cares about. 

She’s done that throughout her career in different ways—working in health care research, teaching in a preschool, serving on her local school board, and being a mom to a now-12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. But her dream was always to become a counselor.   

“I’ve been inspired by people who have struggled and overcome things, which helped propel me into making changes in my own life—and then to think about how I might help others,” says Emily. “I’m also very empathetic, and I feel things on a deeper level than most people. That makes me want to make a change in the world.” 

Emily’s original plan was to go right to grad school after earning her bachelor’s in psychology, with a minor in anthropology, from St. Michael’s College. But when she found out she was pregnant with their son, that put the immediate emphasis on providing for a growing family. So Emily took a job with an allergy and asthma research clinic.

Seven years later, the research project ended, and Emily now had two children at home. She went to work with a friend who runs a preschool, which meant she could earn an income and care for her daughter at the same time. “It was a great experience. I got to spend time with my daughter and spend a lot of time outside,” she says.

After four years there, Emily decided it was time to revisit her dream. 

She signed up for a counseling class—Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling—as part of a continuing education program. “I wanted to find out, ‘can I even do this?’ It had been so long since I was in school. But the course went better than I expected.” 

With her fears put to rest, Emily decided to go for a degree. She’s now partway through the mental health counseling program at Vermont State University (VTSU), with an expected graduation date of December 2026. Her program is flexible and partially asynchronous; Emily is not part of a student cohort, but takes classes through the Johnson campus at her own pace. “That helps, because I try to keep summers light, with the kids out of school and that being my husband’s busy time.” 

When Emily first enrolled, her admissions counselor told her about the Vermont Mental Health Forgivable Loan. The program, managed by VSAC and funded by the state of Vermont, forgives one year of student loan debt for every year the student works in Vermont’s mental health field post-graduation.

Emily says the loan helped solidify her decision to pursue a degree. It also influenced her choice of concentration, since her original area of interest—school counseling—was not eligible for the program. “I switched my major to mental health counseling so the loan would cover it, and that was for the best, because I can always add the school-specific training later. A more general concentration gives me more flexibility,” she realized. 

Emily has benefited from the forgivable loan for two years. “It’s been amazing. The forgivable loan has allowed me to do the program at a pace that works for my family—as opposed to trying to get it all done fast so I can go make money to pay back the loans. It’s taken a lot of the stress off.” 

With Emily no longer working full time, family finances are still a challenge, so she’s been cleaning houses and teaching Pilates classes alongside her courses. “But I’ve been able to build a flexible schedule with most of my commitments during the day, so I have evenings free with the kids.”

Unless she’s trying to write a paper, she says—during which time, her kids always need her. “As a mom, you’re going to deal with lots of interruptions,” she says with a laugh.  

Even when the juggling act is difficult, Emily remains focused. “There’s such a need for more mental health support right now.” After her licensure, she’d like to work with middle and high school kids, probably based in a school. 

For Emily, seeing her dreams come to fruition—and fulfilling her calling to help others who are struggling—is the best return on investment, and one that will pay dividends for years to come. 

The Vermont Student Assistance Corp. was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 as a public nonprofit agency. We advocate for Vermont students and their families to ensure that they have the tools they need to achieve their education and training goals. We create opportunities for all Vermont students, but particularly for those—of any age—who believe that the doors to education are closed to them. Growing families save for education with VT529, Vermont’s official 529 savings program. To help Vermonters plan and pay for college or job training, our counselors work with students in nearly every Vermont middle school and high school, and are also available to work with adults. Our grant, scholarship, and workforce development programs create opportunity, help students re-skill or learn new skills, and grow the economy. VSAC’s loan and loan forgiveness programs provide competitive education financing to students and families. Find us at www.vsac.org or visit Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Mom of two goes to school to strengthen kids’ mental health.