Updates and Blog

The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC) is hosting the Vermont Homelessness Awareness Day and Memorial Vigil today, January 27th, from 9am-2pm. This day is a call to action for state senators, representatives and communities to alleviate homelessness in our state. The event schedule and Zoom link can be found here: www.vtaffordablehousing.org/event/homelessness-awareness-day-and-vigil/ ... See MoreSee Less

Homelessness Awareness Day and Vigil - Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition

www.vtaffordablehousing.org

Your voice is needed at the virtual State House! Advocates, service providers, and dedicated Vermonters from across the state will convene on January 27th for the annual Homelessness Awareness Day and Memorial Vigil. Join us in the Zoom room, or watch along on our YouTube livestream, to tell your la...

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Springfield Supported Housing Program

2 days ago

Community Partner Highlight!: Sue Dowdell-Library Director at Springfield Town Library and SSHP Board MemberThis week we would like to highlight our newest SSHP Board Member. Welcome to the board, we are looking forward to future connections and collaborations with the Springfield Town Library. Thank you for all of your work in our community!How did you become interested in joining the SSHP Board and why did you want to join the board?It is good for me to connect to community leaders and the library often has clients who are experiencing homelessness. I thought it would be a good idea to offer more housing resources and information to those who need them.How does your work with the library overlap with housing issues?When we see a patron or suspect they have a housing need, we can make a referral to Springfield Supported Housing or assist them with needs.What are some of your goals while being on the board?I would like to see a connection between the library and SSHP and be able to provide some of the educational opportunities at the library to SSHP clients.What are some changes and challenges you’ve faced during the pandemic across the community and specifically at the library?Throughout the community I’ve seen a lot more sharing of information, it is great to see individuals and organizations sharing and helping people out. While the library is currently open only for curbside pickup, we are working on our plans for letting people back in. Many virtual programs are being offered at the library and our staff has created craft packets for children. We have added more virtual resources online. ... See MoreSee Less

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Springfield Supported Housing Program

2 days ago

Yesterday, President Biden signed an executive order directing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover 100% of costs, including PPE and disinfecting supplies, of moving individuals experiencing homelessness from congregate or encampment settings to motels or hotels. Read more here:nlihc.org/resource/new-executive-order-addresses-urgent-health-and-housing-needs-people-experienc... ... See MoreSee Less

New Executive Order Addresses Urgent Health and Housing Needs of People Experiencing Homelessness

nlihc.org

President Biden signed an executive order on January 21 that enables states and communities to address the urgent health and housing needs of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Springfield Supported Housing Program

6 days ago

Community Partner Highlight: Lindsy Mack: Behavioral Health and Substance Use Care CoordinatorFor this week’s Community Partner Highlight we interviewed Lindsy Mack. Thank you Lindsy for taking the time to talk and share your thoughts, all of your work is greatly appreciated and felt around our community of Springfield!What is your role with Springfield Medical Care Systems?I am a Behavioral Health and Substance Use Care Coordinator. I work with the Community Health Team and I am employed with Health Care and Rehabilitation Services and Adult Outpatient Services and the CRT. I work both directly with clients and patients and also with case managers and nurses and do behind the scenes work as well.How did you get interested and become involved with healthcare?My mom worked in a group home in Claremont and was committed to a life of service and my dad placed value on service. They both instilled in me the values of service to my community and working against harmful stigmas. As I grew up I knew I wanted to help people to help themselves. In college I got a BA in psychology, worked with youth, and got a job working with both HCRS and SMCS.How do healthcare and housing issues intersect?A few years ago I worked with someone who was in and out of the hospital, they required inpatient stays and because of this weren’t able to work and had no income. The patient kept getting evicted from their housing. As the patient’s case manager I struggled to find them housing after their medical emergencies. They found housing in a third floor apartment and couldn’t rest because they had to move up and down stairs. If they had stable housing they could have healed. Housing is a basic need.How has the pandemic impacted your work?My work has changed quite a bit, all of my meetings are virtual. Some of the changes have improved some care, such as for people with barriers to in person care, it has opened up access to virtual care. Insurance will cover new service and virtual services, it is a lot easier to get coverage and more accessible for someone. The pandemic has hurt other ways of getting to know clients. Being able to be in person allowed some deeper connections. I was talking to someone on the phone who was heating up water and I asked why and it was because they didn’t have hot water to wash their dishes. Meeting virtually meant I didn’t know about that until they told me.What changes have you seen in terms of services and program collaboration over the last few years? I’ve seen a lot of changes, I’m not sure if directly due to Covid, but I’ve seen a lot of collaboration and growth and a lot of improvement and website presence and newsletters released to the public. I would love to see more accessible transportation in Springfield. While I’m happy that Springfield has public transportation, there are still significant barriers for people who don’t have access to their own private forms of transportation.What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most with SMCS?I really enjoy the challenges that come with a project without a straightforward answer, if it requires extra or a work around. So facing a challenge that can be overcome, and helping someone overcome a difficult barrier. For example helping someone get to an appointment and the small victories in making connections between healthcare service and treatment, bridging connections and treatments. I enjoy making connections between HCRS and the doctors to help someone and resolve issues, trying to help with the concept of access and making a big difference for people.What is your favorite winter activity?I really enjoy being outside and the sense of quietness and calm in the cold outside. I like the sense of being outside in the winter and enjoying the differences with the weather. ... See MoreSee Less

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Springfield Supported Housing Program

3 weeks ago

We here at Springfield Supported Housing Program feel so fortunate to be this months Change for Change Round Up recipient at the amazing Springfield Food Co-op! Each month the Co-Op selects a different area organization to receive a donation at the check out. Please support our local food Co-Op and they in turn support us! ... See MoreSee Less

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