Vermont Interfaith Action News
VIA Action on Homelessness Makes Big Impact
May 31, 2012
Recently, VIA leaders from St. Paul's Cathedral sponsored an action to address homelessness in Chittenden County. Mayor Miro Weinberger, Secretary of the Agency of Human Services Doug Racine, and Director of Housing for the agency Angus Chaney were deeply affected by the excellent research report and the moving testimonies of homeless individuals who are members at St. Paul's. We gained commitments from them all for the changes in policy and spending that we recommend to focus more on housing retention and long-term supports for homeless persons rather than on emergency, crisis-oriented reactions. VIA has also been invited to the table at the Continuum of Care, the umbrella group that oversees all support services and housing opportunities for homeless persons.
Please check out the lead article in the Burlington Free Press online: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20120531/NEWS02/120530039/burlington-homeless-interfaith-meeting?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE -- it's above the fold with a color photo in the print version.
The online publication Vermont Digger covered the event as well: http://vtdigger.org/2012/06/07/interfaith-group-offers-officials-a-roadmap-to-reduce-homelessness/
The entire Action is on Channel 17's website: http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/addressing-homelessness-chittenden-county-vermont-interfaith-action
Many thanks to the St. Paul's Local Organizing Ministry: Stan Baker, Cathie Cooke, Karin Davis, Fran Carlson, Rachel Kauppila, Jack Kearnan, and Charles Knoll. Also much gratitude to the other VIA leaders who contributed to last night's successful event: Charlie Rathbone, Jeff Potash, Sue Brooks, Beth Dusablon, and Sandra Schlosser.
We can be proud that we shone a bright light on a complex and difficult societal issue! We are making a difference!
