We had been very excited about the Community Foundation’s 25th Annual Meeting / Anniversary Celebration coming up on Wednesday, September 14th at Bread Loaf in Ripton. Like many of you, we always look forward to gathering with our partners to talk about our shared work.

The events of the past four days, however, have necessitated a change in our plans. We have decided to postpone the annual meeting until a later date, most likely mid- to late-October.

We will send out more information as soon as we have settled on a date and location. In the meantime, thank you for your understanding, your support, and the incredible generosity that you have demonstrated in the face of difficult circumstances for our state. Please contact Paige Pierson at ppierson@vermontcf.org or 802-388-3355 x246 with any questions.
Sincerely,

Stuart Comstock-Gay

President & CEO

The Vermont Community Foundation

Full Message from the Vermont Community Foundation: VCF 25th Anniversary Celebration Postponed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 31, 2011

Contact: Susan Allen at 802-279-8493

Or Jo Bradley, Chief Executive Officer

Vermont Economic Development Authority

802-828-5627

SPECIAL VEDA FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE-DAMAGED BUSINESSES AND FARMS

MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin, Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Secretary Lawrence Miller from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and VEDA CEO Jo Bradley announced today that Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has allocated up to $10 million in special low-interest financing for Vermont businesses and farms who suffered direct physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irene.

The Hurricane Irene Assistance Loan Program funds are available immediately, the Governor said.

“This is important support for farmers and business owners across the state who found themselves in the path of the storm,” Gov. Shumlin said. “I hope those in need will take advantage of this program.”

“Many of Vermont’s businesses and farms suffered significant damage as a result of the terrible flooding caused by the hurricane,” said Bradley.  “We want to do everything we can to help those affected rebound as quickly as possible from these devastating losses.”

The funds will be available to help commercial businesses and farms who suffered direct physical damage as a result of the hurricane. Affected not-for-profit organizations are also eligible for the special low-interest financing.

Eligible financing purposes include, but are not limited to, damages to and/or losses of inventory, equipment, business premises, feed, crops and livestock.  The maximum loan amount under the program is $100,000; the interest rate will be 1 percent for the first two years of the loan, with no payments required during the first year.  At the beginning of the third year, the rate will adjust for commercial businesses to the VEDA Small Business Loan Program variable index, and for farm loans, to the Vermont Agriculture Credit Corporation prime rate index.

Applications for financing may be obtained by calling VEDA at 802-828-5627.  Applications may also be downloaded and/or completed on-line at www.veda.org.

Applications will be reviewed and loans approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are exhausted.  For more information, please contact VEDA at 802-828-5627, visit www.veda.org, or email info@veda.org.

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency has developed a site as an outgrowth of a study committee chaired by Sarah Carpenter, Executive Director.

“Finally landlords, tenants, and municipalities have one place to look for rental housing codes, instead of searching through several different websites to cobble together what applies to them,” – Sarah Carpenter

This website will provide guidance on the health and safety standards that existing residential rental housing in Vermont must meet. It outlines the legal rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants throughout the rental process and explains the standards that municipalities and town health officers should enforce when inspecting rental housing.

Please visit the website: www.rentalcodes.org

Join the National Low Income Housing Coalition on Thursday, June 30 at 3pm ET for a special NLIHC webinar on the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). NLIHC President and CEO Sheila Crowley will explain the options and prospects for NHTF funding, outline the development of HUD regulations, and highlight steps that advocates can take to make a positive impact on the NHTF.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Following registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar.

Webinar participants with a PC-based computer need Windows® 7, Vista, XP or a 2003 Server. Those with a Macintosh®-based computer need a Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer version.

Please forward this email to your networks and contact us at outreach@nlihc.org with any questions.

“We were evicted from our apartment. Her father was in Afghanistan and I got laid off,” Madison Bezanson said.

A string of unfortunate events landed Bezanson, 20, and her 2-week-old daughter at the Lund Home. And she’s not alone.

“I was kind of lost and clueless as to what to do as a single mother,” Victoria Hammond said.

“The young women we serve have so much potential,” said Barbara Rachelson, the executive director of the Lund Center.

Rachelson says the goal is to harness that potential by offering educational opportunities, job counseling, child care, life skills and rehab all under one roof. Today, they’re celebrating the victories.

Lund started as a maternity home back in 1890. It has since evolved into a comprehensive treatment facility for young pregnant women struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. Administrators say they’ve worked hard over that 120-year history to change public perception.

“We don’t hide women in the bushes,” Rachelson said. “We don’t make our residents wear a wedding ring when they go out and make pretend.”

The moms here couldn’t be more grateful for the care they’ve received. But there is one lesson on parenthood they say surpasses all others.

“It’s amazing and rewarding but it’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I don’t regret it but I wish I would have waited,” Bezanson said.

“I was in the health classes and I listened to an older woman speak about sex and I always thought to myself that won’t happen to me,” Hammond said.

Now Hammond goes into area schools and shares her story, hoping it will make kids think twice about having sex. But today is her last day at Lund– after seven months she’s being discharged.

“We are hopeful and we know the realities of how difficult it can be,” Rachelson said.

For many of these women going home will means returning to the challenging situations they escaped. Hammond says she determined to beat the odds.

“I’m just ready to be independent and to prove to myself and to my family and to Lund that I can take what I’ve learned here and move forward,” she said…”

Click here for video: The Lund Center Honors Young Mothers who have Beat the Odds